VIBE

In 1882, railroad czar Henry Villard commissioned an Italian-inspired mansion that ranged elegantly (and extravagantly) across six townhouses. Almost a century later, the property was converted into an even-more-extravagant hotel, with a sleek 55-story tower filled with incredibly luxurious guestrooms incorporated seamlessly into the original buildings. Public areas, including an atmospheric cobbled courtyard, are based in the former Villard mansion and boast neat features like stone fireplaces and fountains.

GO HERE WITH

Significant other; family; colleagues

WHY WE LIKE IT

With interesting historic architecture, plush rooms, bend-over-backwards service, and a Michelin-starred restaurant, what’s not to love? The great event facilities and superb haute-cuisine catering make it an especially ideal spot for hosting everything from weddings to conferences.

AMENITY WE LOVE

The helpful house car drop-off service within a 20-block radius. (There’s also a handy complimentary shuttle to the Broadway theaters and Wall Street twice daily.)

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The rooms are certainly luxe, but for this price bracket the design lacks wow-factor and the bathrooms are small and underwhelmingly appointed. Also, while the Michelin-starred cuisine in Gilt is fantastic, the other restaurants on site are only so-so.

GOOD TO KNOW

There’s a complimentary lounge available for all Towers guests; those staying in the Main House section of the hotel are required to pay a USD 200 fee to access. Towers guests also enjoy private elevators and reception. The New York Palace offers a great set of wedding perks, ranging from a stunning event space to in-house wedding planners. Multilingual Clefs d’Or concierge, full business center, and complimentary shoe shine all available. One for the TV buffs: the hotel has recently become a small-screen celeb in its own right as the home of the Van der Woodsen family on Gossip Girl.

CLOSEST COMPS

The Surrey (New York); Jumeirah Essex House (New York); Trump International Hotel & Tower (New York); The Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing (Beijing)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.