Baccarat Hotel and Residences New York

I’ll be honest – when I first walked into Baccarat Hotel and Residences New York, I actually felt a little intimidated. This five-star place on West 53rd is basically a crystal palace, and I mean that literally. You know how some hotels just throw around luxury words? Well, this one’s the real deal because it’s owned by the actual Baccarat crystal company, so everywhere you look there are these stunning chandeliers and art pieces that probably cost more than my car.

The location is pretty perfect if you ask me – you’re right in the heart of Midtown, just a couple blocks from MoMA and Times Square (though honestly, you’ll want to escape Times Square chaos, and this is the perfect refuge). What I love about staying here is that you can walk to Central Park in about ten minutes, and there’s something magical about stepping out of all that crystal glamour onto Fifth Avenue for a morning jog. The rooms are… well, they’re spectacular. Floor-to-ceiling windows give you these incredible city views, and the bathrooms are done up in this gorgeous red marble that photographs don’t do justice to. I stayed on the 15th floor and could actually see into the park, which made the premium worth it.

Here’s what you should know though – this isn’t one of those stuffy, uptight luxury places where you feel like you can’t breathe. The staff genuinely seems to enjoy working there, and they remember your name after day one. The bar downstairs gets pretty lively, especially on weekends, but the rooms are well-insulated so you won’t hear much. Actually, the cocktails are incredible if you’re into that scene – they’ve got this mixologist who does things with smoke and crystal glasses that are basically theater. Parking is valet only and yeah, it’s expensive, but honestly everything in this part of New York is, and at least you don’t have to circle blocks looking for a spot. One thing that surprised me was how the place feels intimate despite being in such a busy area – there are only 114 rooms, so it never feels crowded or impersonal like some of those massive Midtown hotels. The concierge team actually knows the neighborhood inside and out, not just the tourist stuff, which comes in handy when you want dinner reservations somewhere that isn’t completely overrun.

The concierge service in New York can arrange exclusive Broadway backstage tours, secure private museum gallery visits, and organize trips to nearby Hamptons and Hudson Valley wineries.