New York - The Carlyle

The Carlyle Hotel on 76^th Street, just off Madison Avenue, epitomises the Upper East Side “High Society”.  It is an elegant luxury hotel with elegant clientele. The guests are typically elderly and well dressed in classic style.  Even the younger guests make an effort.  I turned up after a long flight in trainers and instantly felt like a leper.

The décor is a mix of black, mirrors and marble. The only shots of colour are the orange orchids and the matching upholstery on the sofas in the atrium.  Cornicing, columns and object d’art are all sumptuous.  In the bar and restaurant there is a touch of leopard print and flock.

The elevators have white gloved attendants who announce your floor and bid you good day.  The staff are polite, formal and extremely efficient.  The “Bells” are all aging and have most likely been fixtures of the hotel since they were apprentice “Bells”, following in their fathers' footsteps.

We were upgraded, on The American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts package to a suite.  The suite was unfortunately on the 6^th Floor.  The hotel has 34 floors.  Our view was painted trellising and plants on the walls opposite.  If you make a reservation ask for a room with a view.

The suite had a large sitting room with a small kitchenette and walk-in wardrobe by the lobby.  The floors are polished boards covered with tasteful rugs.  The sitting room led to a large bedroom, also with a walk–in wardrobe.  So far so good, but where was the bathroom?  Beside the walk-in wardrobe was another cupboard.  Well actually it was the bathroom, measuring no more than 6ft square (if that).  Mirrors covered three of the walls making the room seem larger but once inside there was certainly no room to gyrate a camel’s bottom.

Toiletries are Kiehls, including shaving cream, lip balm and the usual shampoo, etc.

The evening bar service was slow, but perhaps that was because Woody Allen was in the adjacent room playing his clarinet.  The evening jazz and cabaret in this venue is seemingly spectacular. 

Breakfast is another fancy dress affair, Upper East Side formal dining dress.  However the buffet and the breakfast menu were exceptionally good.    

The shopping between 61^st and 76^th Streets on Madison is top drawer.  All the major stores and brands are there.

If you are looking for a snap-shot of 1950’s Upper East Side, this is the place.  It is elegant, demure and stylish.  Rather like a “period” movie, you look around for Cary Grant .

The Carlyle
76^th Street (off Madison)

+1 212 744 1600