Any trip to New York City will necessarily bring an amble down Fifth Avenue, the famous byway that abuts Central Park and brings to mind moments of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and her irrepressible shopping binges at Bergdorf Goodman and other staples of that iconic fashion corridor.
The good news is you do not have to stay at what was formerly The Plaza to experience New York’s Fifth Avenue. The following are inside reviews of two New York hotels beautifully-located on Fifth Avenue that will bend to most pockets without sacrificing luxury, service or wows: The Langham and The Andaz.
The Langham New York, Fifth Avenue
The Langham took over where the Setai left off in 2013, with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a spa and terrace accommodations overlooking the icons of New York City
WHERE IS IT? Location is in midtown within easy walking distance to the Empire State Building and Penn Station. Central Park is a healthy hoofing northward along the legendary shopping and sightseeing corridor of Fifth Avenue.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? If the Langham is anything it is understated. Floor-to-ceiling windows give way to minimalist interiors accented by riveting Alex Katz pop-art portraits. Eleven originals and some 250 reprints line the otherwise beige spaces and hallways but a third floor Gallery offers maximum immersion amid a $2 million collection.
ROOMS: The 234 rooms and suites are a study in cream colored textiles, rich hard wood closets and surfaces, large contemporary bathrooms (yes, there is a television in the mirror you can watch from your furo soaking tub), and, perhaps best of all – Duxianna beds. If you never slept in one you will be hard-pressed to rise from this one. Of course, there is a handy Nespresso press for great coffee in the morning. Visiting dignitaries and captains of industry will want to book the 1,905 square foot Roche Bobois Penthouse Suite. Views from this two-bedroom spread take in the Empire State Building. For private business meetings the suite has a dining area that seats up to eight guests, supported by a full, Miele appliances-equipped kitchen and private laundry machines.
Recently, the Langham introduced the Terrace Trio on Fifth, which joins together three guest rooms on the hotel’s fifth floor, each with its own individual terrace, to create one large outdoor space for safe and celebratory activities as a group.
FOOD AND DRINK: Al Fiori is the signature dining experience here and it comes with a coveted Michelin star. The second floor cocktail bar and restaurant continues the Langham’s ode to unpretentious surroundings and focuses instead on the exquisite quality of the experience. The menu skews to French precision with Italian spirit, aimed to impress aristocrats and celebrities. But in the past few months, Al Fiori has taken a few tips from youth culture and created the Sky Terrace, a secret eleventh floor outdoor restaurant scene that can only be accessed through obtaining a special room key through the second floor venue (very popular with influencers). For all day dining count on a pricey but worthy set up through room service.
MEETINGS: Meetings here happen in nine function rooms ranging in size from 325 square feet to 1,380, to accommodate small tête a têtes to intimate receptions.
LEISURE: The property runs the Chuan Spa with combo cedar and Himalayan salt saunas in both the men’s and women’s sections of the spa. Although the spa was not open at the time of review, the fitness room was and offered all the precision workout machinery required.
But the Langham is, instead, taking the focus outside and, for now, that means celebrating the reopening of Broadway and New York City’s Theater District. The Langham Loves Broadway package includes a customized tour for up to four guests around New York City’s famed Theater District, starting and ending at The Langham, with entertaining and rarified peeks into the history of that neighborhood. Other amenities offered through the Langham include VIP passes to the Empire State Building, access to one of New York City’s most celebrated private art collections, The Morgan Library & Museum, a personalized shopping package and a 90-minute sunset cruise around the city aboard a luxury 1920’s style motor yacht.
VERDICT: For a centrally located stay that will not disappoint and will, in fact, impress, Langham Place can be counted upon for consistency, professional service and large helping of haute living. The luxury element is not showy here. It’s in the details, ever eliciting that flicker of surprise coupled with unexpected perfection.
BEST FOR: C-suite executives and business travelers who deserve a treat, leisure travelers with taste and sophistication.
PRICE: From $700 per night depending on timing.
CONTACT: Langham Place, New York City; 400 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018; (212) 695-4005. www.langhamhotels.com
Andaz 5th Avenue
The Andaz in brand comes with a certain hipness that is always in play with the millennial set and even more so as an affordable lifestyle destination in the heart of Manhattan.
WHERE IS IT? At the corner of 41st Street and Fifth Avenue, the Andaz 5th Avenue is a snappy taxi ride or even a quick stroll from Penn Station and a stone’s throw to many of New York’s favorite places: The New York Public Library, the Chrysler Building, Bryant Park.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? The property opened in 2010 in an early 20th century Art Deco’d former Fifth Avenue department store and later provided a heady address for Tommy Hilfiger. It has fashion and style at the heart of its spirit with Tony Chi interiors that bring light-filled, city view rooms given to minimalist sensibilities and calming tones. It amps up on extras: tech-focused rooms, an understated and uncluttered lobby; fresh coffee there until 10 am and a lively complimentary wine scene in the library space in the afternoons. The library space off the lobby is a nod to the New York Public Library across the street, and even receives a fresh book collection every few months, curated by a NYPL librarian.
ROOM FACILITIES: The boutique property’s184 rooms and suites are large for Manhattan sizes starting at 322 square feet, and bring a quiet and comfortable Zen ambience with cushiony low stature furniture, soft beds, deep pillows, floor to ceiling windows and a generous assembly of Nespresso pods and tea packets. Find a selection of 47 suites and many of those come with outside terraces for some rare truly New York moments. For the record, I slept in a Wellness Suite – one of seven that debuted in March as wellness has been a central focus of so many home-bound workers during so many months of lockdown. Now as travel ramps up again, the suites offer sweet boost of wellbeing managed through a thoughtful list of precious amenities.
To start, The Mirror by Lululemon sits squarely on a wall beckoning you for that oft-missed Yoga session or quads-strengthening stint through the ghost-like trainer in the mirror downloaded from a phalanx of choices, from meditation to Hip Hop moves. Need a human? A wellness concierge comes with these suites to order up the right in-room personal trainer or massage therapist. For after-fuel, a mini-bar is on hand with a small assortment of complimentary health snacks.
Sleep is managed on an Airweave bed of light, cool, recyclable BPA-free polyethylene, an exclusive amenity to these suites. Added sleep boosters by the bed include aromatherapy oils, Tibetan singing bowls, and a sound machine with various calming sound settings even though the city traffic and other ambient noises are barely audible. Floor to ceiling windows in the heights of the hotel bring an almost cinematic feel to the bedroom with views of the tops of skyscrapers all around. Easy digital management of shades complements a tech-forward bathroom with a yawning Japanese toilet, and a large and complex walk-in shower with multiple nozzles. And then there is the bathtub, actually an egg-shaped designer soaking tub framed by the Gotham setting and equipped with Apotheke bath amenities for a divine and relaxing immersion in the city’s altitudes.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS: The Andaz 5th Avenue offers a lively neighborhood dining spot, the Bar Downstairs and Kitchen, during normal times but due to Covid-19, that facility is not in operation. However, the hotel’s room service still offers a menu with trendy health options that are often high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Think avocado toast, creative kale salads, salmon with red quinoa.
LEISURE FACILITIES: For those who want to keep up their cardio, a 24-hour onsite fitness center offers a Peloton bike, Woodway treadmills, training equipment, and Life Fitness equipment with LCD virtual trainers. For those who want an in-room massage or even an in-room hair and makeover, the hotel desk or concierge will handle the request. For those who want to sneak in some sun between meetings, book the lofty Empire Terrace Suite. It has a furnished wrap-around patio overlooking the Empire State Building.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES: The Andaz 5th Avenue is a popular place to host meetings and events, not only for its precious location but also for its versatility and right-sized spaces that can accommodate up to 170 attendants. The Andaz Studios space offers flexible configurations for this with floor-to-ceiling windows panning out to the New York Public Library or 42nd Street. Other spaces for smaller and more intimate gatherings include the Kitchen Gallery, the Bar/Den and the Courtyard.
VERDICT: The Andaz 5th Avenue stands up to comparisons for its clean and chic interiors, its optimal use of light and surroundings, its convenient location, its responsive service, and its generous amenities. Rooms in this part of Manhattan will be pricey but World of Hyatt rewards will make this property a great choice for all needs.
PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS: The Andaz 5th Avenue maintains a hip, energetic spirit with a happening wine scene in the afternoons and spacious, contemporary rooms that offer dreamy views of Gotham from every vantage.
HOW MANY ROOMS? The Andaz 5th Avenue has 184 rooms and suites
CONTACT: Find the Andaz 5th Avenue at 485 5th Avenue at 41st Street, New York, New York, 10017; (212) 601-1234; Andaz 5th Avenue Website
Author: Lark Gould
Lark Gould has been a travel industry journalist for more than 30 years. She shares her insight on cruise travel, air travel, hotels, resorts, popular activities, attractions and destinations to assist travel advisors and travelers with the current news and information they need to travel well.
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