Magnificent in Midtown: The Peninsula New York
Editor's Note
Although the first Peninsula Hotel opened in Hong Kong back in 1928 and remains an Asian landmark to this day, the brand is still one of the world’s smaller ultraluxury hotel chains, with just a handful of hotels sprinkled around the globe.
In fact, there are only three Peninsula hotels in the U.S. — in Beverly Hills, Chicago and New York City. While I’ve stayed at the brand’s outposts in Beverly Hills and Chicago as well as a few in Europe and Asia, a recent trip to New York City was my first opportunity to visit the New York branch of this storied hotel company soon after it had emerged from a major refurbishment of its guest rooms and public spaces.
Here’s what it’s like staying at The Peninsula New York now that it has been completely refreshed, and how to make the most of your time there.
What is The Peninsula New York?
The Peninsula New York is the U.S. flagship of the venerable (and historic) Asian hotel chain, whose outposts in Hong Kong and Shanghai you might have seen, not to mention those in Paris and London.
The hotel originally opened in 1988, though the beaux arts-style heritage building it occupies actually dates to 1905 and was originally the Gotham Hotel.
After its renovation, the hotel now has just 219 rooms and suites, plus a completely reimagined rooftop bar and a refreshed look in Palm Court, its grand entryway.
The new rooms feel fresh and luxurious
In a city as crowded as New York, space is at a premium, so it’s worth noting that even standard Superior-category rooms start at 370 square feet. What's more, the rooms have a completely new look these days thanks to a complete makeover by Bill Rooney Studio.
Instead of the drab taupe and gray hues that dominated the former palette, rooms these days have more ethereal colors, including silvery sofas, topaz-blue curtains and depth-adding geometric carpeting.
Gone, too, are the chunky wooden furniture pieces and fusty armchairs of yore. Instead, guests will find sculptural bed headboards molded to resemble the wings of a bird midflight and marble-topped tables with slender bases that double as elegant desks.
Of course, you'll still find the usual Peninsula hallmarks like tablets to control all the room features, including lights and temperature. You can order room service from these tablets, too.
My room looked out over Fifth Avenue, right across to the St. Regis, which is another TPG favorite.
The minibars also offer the same upscale mix of local treats like Sugarfina candies and more cosmopolitan pleasures like Cuvee Peninsula Champagne made for the hotel by Deutz.
The bathrooms are perhaps the least changed elements of the rooms, with the exception of gorgeous new white alabaster lighting sconces. But that's to be expected, and not a letdown in any case, since they were already downright palatial and tiled in cream-colored marble with black stone sinks.
Mine included a walk-in shower and a large bathtub complete with a small TV embedded in the wall ... for catching up on news while you carry out your ablutions, presumably.
The hotel commissioned bespoke, "regionally inspired" bath products from parfumier Mackenzie Reilly with top notes of quince, peony and musk. Interestingly, I also found an errant tube of The Peninsula Chicago's shower gel created by Russell Weiss, so there must have been a shipping mix-up somewhere.
Overall, my room felt both brighter and cozier than accommodations at the hotel used to before the redecoration. The new look is sophisticated and uncluttered, but still sumptuous.
Get to the rooftop bar early
One of the hotel’s most distinctive venues is the rooftop Pen Top Bar and Terrace, which replaced the clubby old Salon De Ning and sports a much more contemporary look these days. There's still an intimate indoor lounge with stools along the bar and a few low-slung seating vignettes along the windows facing north.
The real attraction here, though, is the expansive outdoor terrace with tables overlooking the length of Fifth Avenue. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis, or you can reserve one with a minimum spending that varies based on party size. Come well before sunset since the tables are all likely to be taken otherwise.
The menu is a fun mix of classics and one-off twists, including a vanilla-infused tiramisu martini ($32) and an ultrastrong Doctor's Orders with smoky Islay and Glenfiddich 12-Year Scotch whisky, ginger and lemon ($32).
Pen Top is open from 5 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
Try to book a rate that includes breakfast
It’s certainly worth booking a stay at The Peninsula New York through an affiliate network for the chance of value-added extras like an upgrade based on availability, late checkout, on-property credits and welcome amenities like plates of fresh fruit or even a bottle of wine.
One of the most useful benefits of booking through an affiliate program is free daily breakfast for two. At The Peninsula, that can mean savings of well over $100 per day.
My reservation included daily breakfast, so on the first morning, I went down to the hotel's main restaurant, Clement, across from reception. As it was an autumn Saturday, the tables surrounding my own seemed to be peopled by an assortment of international travelers and larger family gatherings. I got a table right in the middle of the action, though I do like sitting in the back part of the dining room, called the Color Room, thanks to its 60-foot hand-painted wall etched with garden scenes and titled "Wild New York."
I ordered Catskill smoked salmon with a toasted bagel and cream cheese as well as fixings like red onion, tomato, capers and lemon ($36) plus two cappuccinos ($12 each), which, if ordered a la carte, would come to around $76 including tax and tip. And that was just for one person.
The second morning of my stay, I ordered room service, including spicy shakshuka with eggs ($24) and a large pot of coffee ($22), which arrived at my room within 20 minutes, piping hot.
The Bar at Clement tends to be busiest during the after-work hours and sometimes with overflow from breakfast. It gets quieter after 8 p.m.
I did not stop by for cocktails, but they include signatures like the First Bloom, with Hendrick's Oasium gin, sweet vermouth, grapefruit juice, Campari and hibiscus syrup ($30). There are also various bites, including a lobster roll on brioche with Meyer lemon ($42); Korean fried chicken with gochujang, sesame, chili and scallion ($32); and steak frites ($60).
Instead, I popped into the hotel’s other lobby lounge, Gotham Bar, which is typically open from 3-10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. The menu is a mix of throwbacks like chicken Kiev ($46), Cobb salad ($28) and shrimp cocktail ($36), plus some true New York delicacies like a Reuben sandwich with juicy pastrami, Thousand Island dressing, tangy sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and pickles ($36).
The public spaces are grand and filled with art
Although it has only been a Peninsula since 1988, the beaux arts building (see if you can spy the statues of Roman goddesses on the facade) that houses the hotel was actually constructed as one of the city’s first skyscraper hotels (the Gotham Hotel) between 1902-1905.
Entering the building, your eye is immediately drawn up the dual-sided staircase and table holding elaborate floral arrangements, past the enormous chandelier practically dripping with crystals, and to the ornately molded ceiling.
Contemporary paintings are on display there and throughout the reception and elevator lobbies, and the hotel regularly hosts artists for limited-time engagements through its “Art in Resonance” series. As part of it, there is a new ocher-colored triptych by artist Ricardo Mazal on the way to the elevators that is meant to evoke the energy of the city.
The spa is pricey but uses excellent product lines
The hotel’s spa is up on the 21st floor and has 10 treatment rooms. It proffers an extensive and varied menu of experiences, including a Medical Beauty Research age-defying customized facial ($385) and a balance massage incorporating Antara Organics Collection CBD oil ($285).
The hotel also uses high-end labels like Biologique Recherche products in some of its facial treatments and Ayurveda-based Subtle Energies creams and oils from Australia.
The gym has great views and is well equipped
Located one level up from the spa, the 22nd-floor gym was positively expansive with lots of natural light thanks to the many windows looking west and north. It contained plenty of Life Fitness cardio and weight machines, a mirror fitness system, Peloton bikes, free weights, and a space for stretching. There are also complimentary daily group classes, and the hotel can arrange for private personal training sessions.
Across the hall from the gym, Vu Hair offers salon services.
The pool is popular with families
On the same floor as the fitness center, the indoor pool has plenty of seating areas, including loungers and tables with chairs, plus wraparound windows for natural light. On this and past visits, the pool has been a favorite hangout for families with young children, understandably, though it was relatively quiet the two times I popped my head in after a visit to the gym.
Service is spot on
Of course, the clientele at a high-end hotel like this would expect some of the best service in the city, but The Peninsula New York still stands out thanks to the diligent and yet understated care its staff takes of patrons.
For example, when I pulled up in an Uber at around 7 a.m. after an overnight flight, a doorman immediately took my bag while asking my name, handed it off to a colleague and escorted me up the stairs to reception, where he introduced me by name to the reception agent. By the time I got to my room a few minutes later, my bag was already there.
That's right, I was able to get into my room first thing in the morning thanks to Peninsula's brand-standard "Peninsula Time" flexible check-in and checkout times. Ahead of my stay, I had informed the hotel about my arrival time, so the room was ready when I got to the city, which was especially wonderful given I'd been flying all night.
Later that day, when I needed some ice, I called reception, and within five minutes, an attendant was outside my door with a bucketful. Each morning when I left, a housekeeper popped out of a room along the hallway to ask if they could service my room, and on the other hand, they waited until they had confirmed I had left for the evening to perform turndown service.
In short, everyone had their service flow down to a science ... and one they performed with a smile.
Accessibility
The Peninsula New York has several accessible accommodation types, including:
- Grand Luxe Double
- Deluxe King
- Superior King
- Superior Suite
The accessible rooms and suites include wheelchair-accessible routes within the room, multilevel door viewers, accessible bathrooms with tub grab bars or roll-in showers, lower counter heights, and raised toilet seats. Guests can also request amenities such as communication kits with door knockers, under-pillow vibrating alarms, strobe light communication devices, TTY kits, visual alarms and portable smoke detectors.
Although the hotel’s main entrance on West 55th Street has stairs, and then another set of stairs leads to reception, wheelchair users can enter through the nearby door to Pen Top and take an elevator up to reception from there.
For use of the pool or gym, wheelchair users can take the guest elevators to the spa on the 21st floor and then a separate elevator up one level from there. The pool has a chair lift to help guests enter or exit.
How to book The Peninsula New York
Peninsula Hotels does not have its own loyalty program, but its individual properties, including this one, participate in affiliate networks like American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Edit by Chase Travel. So, if you have an eligible card and can book through one of those portals to enjoy extra elite status-like benefits, the rates are typically the same as those available to the general public.
Over the next several months, rates at The Peninsula New York start at $895 per night, while the Grand Luxe room I stayed in starts at $975 per night.
Where is The Peninsula New York?
The Peninsula New York is at the corner of Fifth Avenue and West 55th Street, which makes it an excellent choice whether you’re in town for business or sightseeing. It is within easy walking distance or a quick taxi ride away from the major offices of Midtown, and just a few blocks from several subway stations, including those on the E, F, N, R and W lines.
The Museum of Modern Art is just around the block, and Carnegie Hall is a few minutes’ walk away, as is Central Park. If you’re in town to see a play or musical, you can walk to most major Broadway theaters within about 15-20 minutes.
Checking out
The Peninsula New York undoubtedly remains one of the city’s most refined luxury hotels, with the accommodations and service to match. Its recent renovation means its public areas and rooms have a fresh look, and Pen Top has some of the city's most spectacular views. Whether your visit to New York is about work or enjoyment, the hotel’s central location and easy access to public transport, as well as various museums and theaters, make it a great base from which to explore the city.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.