New York’s Fifth Avenue teems with lavish boltholes prepared to pull out all the luxurious stops for their discerning clientele. The city’s old guards of upscale hospitality line the famous boulevard, from The Plaza to the St. Regis, while newcomers like the Aman are making an uptown splash. Amongst it all is Baccarat Hotel New York, an opulent but discreet property perched opposite the Museum of Modern Art, ready to welcome in-the-know locals and visitors.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Baccarat Hotel New York review

The first hotel for renowned French crystal brand Baccarat, the hotel is—as you’d expect—a bastion of Parisienne chic in the heart of New York City. Paris-based interior design firm Gilles & Boissier is responsible for the exquisite interiors that effortlessly draw inspiration from classic, 18th century French aesthetics and bring them firmly into the 21st century with perfectly judged modern touches.

Baccarat Hotel New York City review entrance
The entry experience at the hotel speaks to the elegance that awaits inside

Baccarat Hotel New York boasts more glamorous je ne sais quoi in every detail than Jane Birkin in her heyday, and visitors get a sense of this graceful elegance as soon as they enter the Skidmore Owings & Merrill-designed building. Guests sweep through one of two blink-and-you’ll-miss-them glass doors that flank an expansive fireplace and into a dim, black-hued, marble-floored lift lobby—complete with feature LED wall and dramatic chandelier—that acts as a transition space between the bustling New York City streets and the tranquil hotel.

First stop is the second floor, the hotel’s beating heart, which is cleverly sectioned off and unfurls to reveal several discreet—but equally gorgeous—spaces. There’s the quiet check-in area, where welcoming staff carry out check-in formalities; the majestic Salons, which act as a focal point and social hub; and a resplendent bar. Of course, a Baccarat boutique is hidden in a corner for guests to browse the marque’s wares—as long as the oversized chandelier outside is lit up, feel free to wander in and peruse the offerings.

A sense of art

Bespoke pieces of fine Baccarat crystal have been thoughtfully woven through the hotel’s interiors, alongside a selection of pieces from the brand’s archival and modern collections. Resplendent furnishings—adroitly selected by Gilles & Boissier—reflect the crystal’s scintillating features. Glossy, shimmering materials are everywhere, from hand-pleated silk wall coverings and stainless ribbed ceilings to mirror-and-marble wall treatments. All of this comes together to create a sense of delicate elegance infused with plenty of light.

Accompanying the crystal is a compelling art collection put together by French curators Stéphanie and Frédéric Chambre. Spanning the 250 years since Baccarat’s founding, the collection includes works from the most important art movements in history, as well as commissioned pieces by French artists François Houtin and Armand Jonckers.

Pièd-a-terre

Baccarat Hotel New York features 114 sublime guest rooms, each one designed to feel like the pied-à-terre of an unfailingly chic Right Bank-Parisienne. On the ninth floor, I turn the diamanté-studded handle of my Grand Classic King room door to step into an opulent, serene bolthole dressed in shades of white and cream and splashes of steel, platinum, wood, and, naturally, crystal. Immediately, I’m transported from the frenetic centre of New York City to the more sedate heart of Paris.

Baccarat Hotel New York City review guestroom
A four-poster bed in dark wood and curated art pieces enhance the rooms

Every detail here is set to envelop guests in unfettered luxury. Imagine waking up in a plush wood-framed four-poster bed, flanked by marble-topped nightstands and baccarat crystal lamps, wrapped in the softest white Somma 1867 sheets and a Baccarat-branded cashmere throw, or indulging in a midnight snack from the lacquered wood cupboard that opens to reveal a custom blood-red enamel minibar billed with Baccarat crystal glassware and treats from French patisserie Ladurée.

Or perhaps you’ll spend the morning treating yourself to a lavish in-room breakfast while perched on cosy sofas and contemplating the open view—what a luxury!—through postcard windows that showcase New York’s rooftops and flood the room with natural light.

Even getting ready for the day is an event here. Hand-painted sliding French doors reveal a sumptuously appointed bathroom, lavishly dressed in white marble and parquet floors. Be sure to check out the rather glamorous red leather box and make a selection from the custom amenities by Parisian perfumer Francis Kurkdijan before stepping into the glass-enclosed shower.

A little extra

Despite New York’s many attractions, guests at Baccarat Hotel New York will be hard-pressed to leave their rooms. But it’s worth doing so, if only to explore the property’s other delightful features.

A personal favourite—and as becomes obvious at the post-work cocktail hour, a favourite of New York’s in-the-know set—is The Bar at Baccarat. With barrel-vaulted ceilings, a sweeping 60-foot bar topped by three grand chandeliers, and black-and-white harlequin flooring, the space feels like a refined, 21st century take on one of Paris’s Belle Epoque drinking holes.

Next door, the Grand and Petit Salons function as the hotel’s main dining spaces, serving a la carte breakfast, afternoon tea, and all-day snacks amidst cosy seating arrangements and plenty of decorative objects, mirrors, and natural light—it feels a bit like a contemporary version of Versailles.

Looking for a little R’n’R? Head down to the basement, which hides a beautifully appointed gym, a luxurious 55-foot black-and-white marble-tiled indoor pool flanked by lounging alcoves and more artwork by François Houtin. For those in need of a little pampering, the Spa de La Mer—the first in the US—is a charming little jewel box of a wellness haven.

Baccarat Hotel New York City review swimming pool
Unwind in the generously proportioned swimming pool

Final thoughts

For such a wonderfully conceived hotel, it’s surprising that more people don’t know—or rather, don’t talk about—Baccarat Hotel New York. It offers unfettered French-infused luxury and style, yes, but in a way that doesn’t feel contrived or overdone. Instead, the service is attentive and friendly—this is the kind of place where staff greet regulars by name and know their orders—the rooms are comfortable havens, the public spaces welcoming, and the food and drink sublime. Though perhaps flying under the radar is, too, part of its charm.

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