Next time your travels bring you to New York City, head to Midtown and unwind in a serene space inside the historic 1909 Clocktower building, once the offices of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Today the landmark houses the New York EDITION, featuring 273 guestrooms, lofts, and suites, plus well-appointed meeting and event spaces. The hotel’s Michelin-starred Clocktower dining room serves contemporary British cuisine with regional influences—dishes range from a Boston lobster cocktail to Brooklyn burrata—and offers a vegetarian menu with highlights such as hazelnut risotto. With a refined tavern atmosphere and décor that evokes a classic spy novel, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch (check the hotel for current hours).
During my stay I found the service effortless and attentive, with personal touches that made a difference—an electric kettle in my room for my tea ritual among them. Despite the energy of the streets below, the guestroom was a peaceful retreat in a palette of cream, espresso, and walnut. The bathroom was generous in scale and fitted with a large stone-tiled walk-in shower, while thoughtful amenities included a plush faux-fur blanket on the wide bed, complimentary Wi-Fi, and bespoke toiletries from Le Labo Grasse—New York, created exclusively for EDITION.
The spa, located on the 39th floor, offers a full menu of treatments such as massages, oxygen therapy, and reflexology, ideal for restoring balance after a day of sightseeing or meetings. The hotel’s address at 5 Madison Avenue places it adjacent to Madison Square Park, giving guests the pleasant impression of having a private garden just steps away. EDITION is part of the portfolio developed by legendary hotelier Ian Schrager and is operated in partnership with Marriott International. As with other EDITION properties, the Clocktower reflects Schrager’s refined approach to luxury and comfort, delivering a tailored, home-like retreat in the heart of the city.