Checking In: Fifth Avenue Hotel in NYC

The Maximalist Hotel for People Who Are Over the Same NYC Hotels

Laura Dugan and Annie Chambers separately visited the new design-darling, the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York.

Here’s a little Q&A about why we loved this jewel-box property in midtown:

The design and interiors are a big part of the story at Fifth Avenue Hotel: what’s the detail that stopped you in your tracks?

AC: Maximalist abounds here. The moment you enter the lobby it’s a sensory experience from the rich smell of their custom candle to the Gilded Age style-style chandeliers knick knacks in an antique floral hutch. It feels like a curation of a well-traveled friend’s apartment. The designer, Martin Brudnizki, also designed some of our favorite Parisian properties like La Fantasie and Le Grand Mazarin. He also designed other properties in New York: The Surrey and Hotel Barriere Fouquet’s. I love how cozy it is, the concierge is just a tiny desk where you can chat about your plans. There’s no grandeur here.

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How does it compare to other NYC boutique stays you’ve experienced?

LD: Buzzy yet understated location (feels less touristy than some areas), personalized service but very private and never intrusive. Has the benefit of a VERY hip bar and restaurant on site which is rare for a boutique hotel! Stylish and intimate at the same time. Design-forward and trendy, but not at the expense of service. Butler who ironed my dress and then brought me a little snack/pick me up when he saw me in the elevator and thought I looked tired (after a full day of hotel site inspections.

What room category worked best, and what made the space feel different from a standard NYC hotel room?

AC: Even walking down the hallways to the rooms, the wallpaper is different on each floor and catches your eye. It feels whimsical and enchanting. Entry level rooms are tiny and you can’t expect a great view, but that’s New York. I had a city view King and it was totally fine as I was at meetings most of the day. The bathrooms are tight. If you have a longer stay, I’d opt for a larger room: corner king or a suite. I love that you can turn the hotel into a private maison with a three-night private buyout of 21 suites and the two-bedroom Flâneur Penthouse. The whole hotel is arranged entirely around you and your guests.

Each guest is assigned a butler and they will steam one item of clothes for you, per day. I think ALL mini-bars should be complimentary now, and Fifth Ave delivered with snacks, non-alcoholic drinks that were locally made or organic.

This is the NYC hotel we’d actually put our clients in right now who want to feel like they’re staying at a chic friend’s apartment and want to be centrally located.

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The Portrait Bar (all the rage right now) — walk us through it. Time of day, what you drank, who was there, what the atmosphere felt like.

AC: Go early before they open it to the public at 5 PM. It’s intimate and low-lit with wood paneling and fireplaces. I saw daytime meetings and evening get-togethers. It felt a little SOHO house during the day, but not crowded! I met a colleague here and it has an elevated, but cozy atmosphere. Craft cocktails hail from India, Austin, the Philippines, Colombia, Japan, and beyond. You can munch on a foie gras tartine, or a classic like french onion dip deviled egg or prawn cocktail.

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Best meal or food moment at the property?

LD: The breakfast served at the very hot Cafe Carmellini (one of the 50 best restaurants in North America) was delicous. They brought around a pastry cart where you could choose three options!) – tied with the Portrait bar which is one of the top bars in the world let alone NYC. You feel like you are in the know getting a drink here and you may spot a celeb or two. The bartenders were so friendly and cocktails were very unique. During the day, guests can sit in the bar and work/relax with coffee which is such a special perk.

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The Flatiron /NOMAD location: how does it work as a NYC base — what’s walkable, what’s the neighborhood feel?

AC: I actually liked being in midtown with short cabs to West Village and Broadway. It’s an easy-enough neighborhood to navigate, but certainly not as charming as the west village. Perfect for being in the middle of Manhattan as I had meetings uptown and downtown. I enjoyed popping around the corner to the flagship Rizzoli bookstore.

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Who is The Fifth Avenue Hotel for? The NYC first-timer? The repeat visitor who’s done the Carlyle and the Crosby and wants something new?

I think it’s great for a repeat visitor and someone who loves interiors and feeling like they’re in a friend’s chic apartment. It’s not for someone who needs a bustling lobby and multiple dining outlets or shops on site. They now have a small gym on-site and also offer a pass to Lifetime Fitness, but for those needing a full wellness complex; this isn’t it.

What’s the one thing about the stay you’re still thinking about?

AC: The Rituals: they have a martini, tea, and book ritual. I opted for the book one and a library cart and a tray of cookies arrived to my room. With subjects spanning art, culture, travel, and literature—curated by Rizzoli’s New York flagship, you’re able to old-school sign your name on the checkout sleeve of a book, like at the library. I love the tiny personalized details – and especially an analog experience. I am still thinking about the smell of the lobby, so much so that I light the candle from the Fifth Avenue Hotel when I have parties to transport me back!

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