The Peninsula New York: The Crown Jewel of Fifth Avenue
There’s a special rhythm between Zurich and New York — a steady flow of people, ideas, and inspiration. The direct seven-hour flight from Zurich airport makes it tempting to cross the Atlantic even for a long weekend: a new exhibition, a dinner reservation, a bit of shopping, or perhaps a premiere at the Metropolitan Opera. Whatever the reason, New York never fails to feel like the right place to visit. If true luxury is the destination, The Peninsula New York is where the journey begins.
The Peninsula New York is located in the iconic Beaux-Arts landmark building from 1905 on Fifth Avenue and 55th Street – one of the most elegant and historically rich buildings in Manhattan. Other famous buildings in this Beaux-Arts style, inspired by the prestigious French school of art and architecture of the 1880s–1920s, include the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Grand Central Terminal. The iconic facade of the hotel building promises the unforgettable experience right from the start.
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into the Grand Entrance with a magnificent chandelier overlooking the dramatic double-height entry lobby with a beautiful marble double-staircase. The hotel’s central atrium – the Palm Court – features a triptych by contemporary artist Ricardo Mazal – inspired by nature and representing human energy in the city – while accentuating the verticality of the voluminous space.
The Peninsula New York recently underwent a complete renovation and now it truly represents luxury at its finest in every detail and aspect. The inspiration for its refurbishment was drawn from the elegance of Manhattan’s Roaring 1920s era, blended with a refined simplicity that is both fresh and elegant, complete with bespoke amenities and personalized services.
“This refurbishment marks a new era for The Peninsula New York, solidifying our stance as the pinnacle of luxury in Manhattan,” said Samir Ibrahim, Managing Director of The Peninsula New York. “Harmoniously blending contemporary design and distinguished elegance, we are committed to providing the exceptional service that defines The Peninsula brand – and we look forward to welcoming guests to this reimagined New York luxury experience.”
The hotel has 23 floors and 219 guest rooms and suites, decorated in a classic, contemporary style with art nouveau accents. Even though the hotel is located in the heart of Manhattan – on buzzing Fifth Avenue a few streets away from Central Park – the silence in the rooms is as in Switzerland.
At The Peninsula New York, the comfort is taken to a completely another level in every single aspect: the interior design, the rooms, the service, and, of course, the iconic Peninsula Spa & Wellness Center, according to the best traditions of Asian hospitality.
The beds deserve a special mention: wrapped in the softest Quagliotti linens, they redefine what it means to rest well. The Italian heritage brand, run by the same family since 1933, crafts all of its bed, bath, and table linens entirely in Italy – a rare dedication to purity of craft that you can literally feel against your skin.
The Peninsula’s proprietary in-room technology allows its guests to feel absolutely taken care of, even in their autonomy – guests enjoy touch-screen tablets offering six languages, with access to a signature 24-hour digital concierge, bedside panels for ease of controlling temperature and lighting, wireless chargers in bedside drawers, music and lighting controls in the bathrooms – all catering to the most demanding audience.
The Peninsula Spa & Wellness Center spans two floors – a serene retreat with a sauna, men’s and women’s private relaxation lounges, a tea lounge, changing rooms with luxurious heat experiences, personalized treatments (like their signature Blissful Balance package), and a spectacular pool on the 22nd floor. Swimming there, surrounded by the skyline and the rhythm of Fifth Avenue just below, feels like a quiet pause above the city. The view alone is an experience – a reminder that true luxury often lives in stillness.
Dining at The Peninsula deserves its special mention as well. There are two restaurants – Gotham Lounge and Clement. Gotham Lounge made its grand return as an exquisite and intimately appointed piano bar. Gotham Lounge beckons patrons to savor a tipple and gourmet cuisine, while enjoying the soulful melodies of live piano performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Clement, in its turn, is a quintessential classic midtown spot for breakfast, brunch, or lunch by Executive Chef Malte Kontor. The place is also renowned for the exclusive Peninsula New York Sunday Brunch Buffet, where exquisite flavors, elegant ambiance, and live piano music create an unforgettable dining experience.
The location of the Peninsula New York is simply unbeatable – the Midtown part of Fifth Avenue with all luxury boutiques, MoMA, Central Park, the Met, and the New York City Library are just steps away. And if you don’t feel like walking you can just simply enjoy the best scenery from the Peninsula New York rooftop bar – the reimagined Pen Top – and gaze at the Louis Vuitton trunk nestled in the middle of all the skyscrapers. The menu features elevated iterations of martinis and other classic and modern libations alongside a thoughtfully curated wine bottle program. Pen Top is poised to become Midtown’s premier rooftop destination, offering an unparalleled blend of sophistication and style for in-the-know locals and travelers.
And yet, what stays with you most after leaving The Peninsula New York is not a single moment but the lingering atmosphere of it all – that balance between precision and warmth, privacy and presence.
The Peninsula Hotels Group is the world’s leading luxury hotel group, with a proud heritage as Asia’s oldest hotel company still in operation. Founded in 1928, The Peninsula comprises 12 hotels, located in some of the world’s most iconic cities: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles (Beverly Hills), Paris, Bangkok, Manila, London and Istanbul.