A Luxurious Stay at The Fifth Avenue Hotel
The Fifth Avenue Hotel is nestled in a 19th-century mansion on 28th Street in New York City, offering guests 153 well-appointed rooms, a French-Italian restaurant, and a chic bar. This iconic hotel has earned its reputation as one of the best in the city, with T+L readers voting it the top hotel in the 2025 World’s Best Awards.
Design and Atmosphere
Renowned interior designer Martin Brudnizki has brought his maximalist design aesthetic to life throughout the hotel. His work includes playful glass chandeliers, floral wallpaper, and decadent velvet couches that create a vibrant and inviting atmosphere. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Café Carmellini, is helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini, who serves up delicious French-Italian fare that delights the senses.
The hotel also boasts a year-round calendar of events filled with cultural offerings, including major art prize announcements and conversations with artists. These events add an extra layer of charm and excitement for guests looking to immerse themselves in the local culture.
The Experience
At Travel + Leisure’s second annual World’s Best Summit, Tracee Ellis Ross shared her love for hotels with great bars, emphasizing the importance of being able to enjoy a drink without leaving the premises. The Fifth Avenue Hotel offers just that experience, with its renowned Portrait Bar. Located five stories above the main lobby, the bar features a dark and moody ambiance, adorned with over 50 portraits and red velvet couches. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a seasonal Long Island Railroad–inspired cocktail menu.
During a recent stay, the beautifully wallpapered suite provided a luxurious retreat. The Portrait Bar was a favorite spot, where I indulged in a Long Island iced tea aged into a Manhattan. I even arranged for a standing reservation for the next two nights, knowing the bar would be worth the visit again.
The Rooms
The Fifth Avenue Hotel’s 153 rooms are spread across two buildings: a landmarked mansion dating back to the late 1800s and a new 24-story tower. The tower’s top floor features two suites with terraces, one offering a coveted view of the Empire State Building. Down a few levels, guests can enjoy new suite offerings such as the Mansion Penthouse and the Topiary Suite, complete with a private terrace garden and a bird cage-inspired gazebo.
William Abranowicz/The Fifth Avenue Hotel
The bedroom inside the Studio Suite.
William Abranowicz/The Fifth Avenue Hotel
The living room inside The Fifth Avenue Suite.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel
City views from the Baudelaire Experience balcony.
William Abranowicz/The Fifth Avenue Hotel
The Fifth Avenue Suite’s bathroom.
The rooms are designed by Martin Brudnizki, who also worked on Fouquet’s New York hotel. The maximalist design features mint green and floral wallpaper, custom-designed furniture, and deep blue bed frames with sumptuous Duxiana mattresses. In my 526-square-foot Mansion Suite, the green room divider separated the boudoir from the living room, which was complete with a lounge chair and a colorful Murano glass chandelier.
Food and Drink
The Fifth Avenue Hotel’s signature restaurant, Café Carmellini, offers a dining experience that goes beyond aesthetics. Chef Andrew Carmellini’s menu features precisely executed dishes, from French omelettes in the morning to seasonal risotto. My risotto, featuring burrata and fresh asparagus, was a highlight of the meal.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel
The main dining room of the signature restaurant Café Carmellini.
William Abranowicz/The Fifth Avenue Hotel
A fireplace lights the cozy The Portrait Bar.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel
The bar inside The Cellar, a private dining room.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel
A private dining table inside The Vault.
Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure
The balcony tables at Café Carmellini.
Activities and Experiences
The hotel aims to be part of Manhattan’s creative landscape with experiences like the Art of Discovery, which takes guests on a journey through its 700-piece global art collection. Guests are then whisked away to the Whitney Museum of American Art for a personalized tour.
For those seeking inspiration, the Baudelaire Experience offers exclusive access to the 24th floor with views of Fifth Avenue. The hotel arranges wine tastings, pre-dinner caviar and Champagne, and stocks the suite with curated books.
The Spa and Fitness
Although the hotel doesn’t have a spa, it partners with Japanese skincare brand Clé de Peau Beauté for a seasonal pop-up beauty suite. Guests can book facials and treatments, including the hotel’s signature Face Time at The Fifth treatment.
For fitness enthusiasts, the hotel features an on-site Fitness Suite with modern equipment. Complimentary access to local studios like Humming Puppy Yoga, SoulCycle, and Barry’s Bootcamp is also available.
Family-friendly Offerings
The hotel caters to families with connecting rooms and amenities like the Family Toy Trunk and cookie tower. Pets are welcome with perks such as plush beds and gourmet treats.
Accessibility and Sustainability
The Fifth Avenue Hotel offers ADA-compliant guest rooms and public areas, ensuring accessibility for all guests. The hotel has implemented initiatives to reduce water waste and carbon emissions, using energy-efficient lighting and eliminating single-use plastics. Electric vehicle charging is also available on-site.
Location
Located on the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 28th Street in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, the hotel is within walking distance or a short subway ride from landmarks like the Flatiron Building, Madison Square Garden, and the Empire State Building. Madison Avenue, home to many Michelin-starred restaurants, is a five-minute walk away.
Booking and Loyalty Program
The Fifth Avenue Hotel is part of the Leading Hotels of the World’s Leaders Club loyalty program, offering members perks like room upgrades and early check-in. Nightly rates start from $995.
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