Hotel Snapshot
Hotels don’t get more glamorous and luxe than the Baccarat Hotel New York in Midtown Manhattan. When the property opened ten years ago, it made a splash in town by bringing the elan and decadence of the legendary French crystal maker to life- a place of cascading chandeliers, rose-filled salon-like spaces, sparkling crystal, and free-flowing champagne.
The Baccarat continues to be one of the most sought-after and priciest hotels in New York today. You’ll feel like royalty when you stay here and have every reason to with the setting you’re in and the way you’re pampered by the staff who indulge you in every which way.
Design & Character
This modern-day ‘House of Baccarat’ is a celebration of light and sumptuousness, with a gleaming glass façade and 17-custom designed Baccarat crystal chandeliers glittering throughout the public areas. Fresh roses in oversized arrangements are everywhere, and the museum-quality art collection brings in a cultural flair. The salons are furnished with velvet settees and chairs, plus elegant brass tables. But Baccarat’s aesthetic also has a bit of edge in the way of the dark and moody bar, and its dramatic barrel-vaulted ceiling with tracked stage and movie set lighting.
The Rooms
If you’ve ever imagined living in your own stylish Parisian pied-à-terre, the Baccarat’s chic residential-style accommodations- 114 in all-brings this fantasy to life. The rooms are large, especially for a New York hotel- the entry-level classic rooms measure in at least 400 square feet. No matter the category, they all have floor-to-ceiling windows, TVs hidden in oversized mirrors, cashmere bed throws, and Baccarat crystal sconces. I loved the red enamel mini bars, which open like a treasured gift box to reveal backlit Baccarat glasses.
The marble bathrooms are just as impressive with their glass showers hidden behind hand-painted doors and divine-smelling amenities crafted exclusively for the hotel by the “it” Parisian perfumer Maison Francis Kurkdjian.
Food & Drinks
The Baccarat doesn’t have a restaurant, but the food is better than most restaurants in town. Come to the Grand Salon- always filled with well-heeled diners- for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a bougie afternoon tea.
The hotel’s talented executive chef, Ashfer Biju, changes the menu seasonally and has created a menu that offers everything from a killer grilled cheese and tomato soup to hearty salads and indulgent caviar and foie gras. Mains include a king salmon with candied citrus and sweet onions, and a wagyu steak frites.
To drink, you can’t miss the champagne, poured in heavyweight crystal glasses that elevate the experience to a new level that I didn’t know existed. The Bar is where to go pre- or post-dinner to order a drink- a cocktail, spirit, or glass of wine- from the long list. When the weather is warmer, the stunning balcony garden full of topiaries is where you’ll want to be.
The Amenities
Lovers of pricey and prestigious skincare will appreciate Baccarat’s partnership with the ultra-high-end skincare brand La Mer to create Spa de La Mer, its first and only spa in the United States. Next door is a black-and-white marble-tiled pool, complete with sink- into day beds and walls splashed with an ornate hand-painted mural. This subterranean level also houses a well-equipped gym.
Location and Neighborhood Recs
The hotel’s location is prime and proximate. It’s ideal for walking along Fifth and Madison Avenues, with their high-end boutiques, and also close to Broadway and its theater scene.
Some must-dos are a visit to MoMA, located directly across the street from the hotel, and a walk to Lincoln Center. For a classic tourist hit, check out the Edge at Hudson Yards to be suspended in the air 100 stories above the ground and spend an afternoon in Central Park. And the dining scene in the area is hard to beat- there are plenty of top restaurants, including the seafood temple Le Bernardin and the sleek Greek eatery Avra, less than a five-minute walk away.
Fast Facts
Location: Midtown Manhattan
Rating: Five Star
Room Count: 114 across seven categories
Starting Rate: $1,800
Food & Drink: The Grand Salon for all-day dining and afternoon tea, with the adjacent Bar for cocktails and light fare
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: Bedside Bubbles - you press the CHAMPAGNE button by your bedside phone to order your favorite bubbly. A chilled bottle, along with two Baccarat flutes, appears within minutes.
Closest Airport: LaGuardia Airport is 30 to 40 minutes away.
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