What it is

A hotel-within-a-hotel on the top 14 floors of the legendary Palace, which rises from the neo Italian Renaissance 1890s home of railroad baron Henry Villard.

What it isn't

Poorly serviced. The concierges are all dedicated members of Les Clefs d’Or (The Golden Keys), an association that’s nearly as tough to get into as the Ivy League.

What we think

Lotte New York Palace Hotel is so cinematic that Gossip Girl famously shot many, many scenes on the premises. But if moneyed characters Chuck Bass or the Van der Woodsen family actually stayed there, they’d no doubt book within The Towers—a high-rising, ultra-exclusive section of the hotel with extra perks galore. A private lobby and check-in? Yep. Butler service? Of course (they’ll even pack and unpack your bags). You’ll even be treated to gratis shoe shines and a couple garment pressings—that’s how far they roll out the red carpet. Rooms themselves are as luxe as you’d expect at this altitude, with oversized floor plans starting at 465 square feet. We particularly love the art-filled, 1,210-square-foot Towers Corner Suite, which looks like the type of place Coco Chanel would stay for a quick New York jaunt.

You're here because

You’re something of an architecture obsessive, and 19th century starchitects McKim, Mead & White (the firm behind the original Penn Station and Columbia University) designed the original Villard Houses.

The Moment

You’ve visited an “ila Only Spa” once—on a trip to the leafy British Cotswolds. Here at their first ever American outpost, the treatments (such as Amazonian herb facials) are just as good as you remember…all overlooking the spires of the cathedral.

Restaurants & Bars

Villard Restaurant - New York’s Breakfast Room is an iconic setting for an elevated breakfast and signature cocktails

Gold Room - A modern interpretation of classic cocktails and shared plates, served in a New York City landmark and favorite gathering place on Madison Avenue.

Pomme Palais - Pastries and whimsical treats in Midtown Manhattan’s stylish boutique bakery.

Location

50th and Madison Avenue, directly across the street from the circa 1879 St. Patrick’s Cathedral (where F. Scott Fitzgerald married Zelda).