This is my favorite hotel in New York. It combines the convenience of a modern hotel tower with the historical significance of the Villard Houses. The public spaces are sights to behold, though not quite as opulent as they once were after the latest refurbishment. The Palace offers something no other hotel in New York can match—breathtaking skyline views. Because it is situated across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, rather than other skyscrapers, the Midtown views are unobstructed. Except perhaps for hotels directly on Central Park, views from the Palace’s lofty quarters are unexcelled in Manhattan. The nighttime view of St. Patrick’s itself is also hauntingly beautiful, illuminated from powerful lights mounted high atop the hotel. Beautiful too is the melodious chiming of the Cathedral’s legendary bells. The Palace’s location is extremely convenient for shopping and visiting the Rockefeller Center.
Service is excellent, from arrival to departure, markedly more so than when it was owned by the Queen of Mean or the Sultan of Brunei. Many luxury hotels have a staff that abides by strict protocol, but at the Palace they seem to genuinely enjoy being there and interacting warmly with their guests (an astonishing feat in New York). I do wish they offered more dining options. Although this hotel once housed the legendary Le Cirque 2000, bafflingly there are now no major dining venues. The bars and lounges are very posh and private, and the specialty martinis are lethally delicious. Room service is outstanding, though astoundingly expensive. There are many dining options nearby. The increased level of sumptuousness and service of The Towers easily justify the increased cost, particularly if celebrating a special occasion.
For comfortable elegance that is hospitable rather than haughty, the Lotte New York Palace reigns supreme.