Arrival/Check-In: I arrived at this five-star New York City hotel on a late Friday afternoon after a traffic-heavy cab ride from Penn Station. Traveling with my mother to celebrate her milestone birthday, we hoped for a smooth check-in and a little time to relax before our evening plans. From the moment we stepped out of the cab, the staff took care of our luggage and escorted us to the reception desk. We were pleasantly surprised to learn we had been upgraded to a deluxe suite. Within minutes we were shown to a 1,050-square-foot room with plenty of time to unwind before dinner.
Guest Quarters: The suite felt expansive—likely larger than many Manhattan apartments. It included a separate dressing room, two closets, a vanity area and double sinks in the bathroom. Those amenities made getting ready simple and comfortable, giving each of us ample space and privacy.
The suite layout begins with a hallway that opens to the living room on the right. The living area faces Fifth Avenue and is furnished with a small table and two chairs, a desk, a couch and an armchair around a coffee table. The couch faces a television set into a built-in wall unit that also houses the minibar and other conveniences. To the left of the entrance is a half bathroom, and beyond the living area the space opens into the vanity and closet zone. The large marble bathroom features a soaking tub, a separate shower, a water closet, two sinks and luxury bath amenities by Oscar de la Renta. Small touches, like travel-sized hand sanitizer, were appreciated.
Services/Amenities: The hotel’s location makes it an excellent base for exploring Manhattan—Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping and Broadway are all within easy reach. Inside, rotating art exhibits add visual interest to the public spaces.
On this visit I dined at Clement, the hotel’s restaurant, though I didn’t have time to visit Salon de Ning rooftop bar and terrace or Gotham Lounge. On a future stay, afternoon tea at Gotham Lounge is high on my list. The hotel also offers in-room dining for convenience.
I look forward to trying The Peninsula Spa on a return visit; it offers signature treatments that blend Asian, European and Ayurvedic techniques. The hotel’s wellness facilities also include a fitness center, an indoor pool, a sun terrace and Vu Hair New York salon. Guests can also book meeting and event space as needed.
Top Takeaways:
◆ Service during my stay reflected The Peninsula brand’s strong attention to detail and consistent hospitality.
◆ Although I chose to walk to Broadway for the evening, it was reassuring to know the hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to and from Broadway for guests.
◆ Both breakfast and dinner at Clement were excellent; the restaurant serves contemporary American fare and delivered satisfying meals for both sittings.
The Peninsula New York
700 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10019
tel 212 956 2888
newyork.peninsula.com