The moment I walk into my room at The Surrey Hotel, I notice the most fabulous window seat. A simple beige cushion embroidered with the phrase “Through these windows lies the soul of the city, across Madison and down 5th Avenue…” There is something about these words that instantly puts me in an “Upper East Side” state of mind.
Window Seat overlooking Madison Avenue
After countless visits to New York, this is my first hotel experience on the Upper East. Home to the wealthy and the well connected, this borough has long been regarded as the pinnacle of posh. It’s the height of luxurious living, where every apartment building comes with a well-dressed doorman, where shoe closets are filled with Louboutins and Blahniks and where girls wear Armani to the gym. Think Gossip Girl’s Serena, or Cate Blanchett’s character in Blue Jasmine (pre-breakdown).
Nestled perfectly between fancy Fifth Avenue and the even more fancy Madison Av, and only one block from famous Park Avenue, everything about The Surrey oozes Upper East Side style, class and luxury.
apartment buildings on Park Avenue
The rooms are simply divine. Much larger than the average New York shoebox – with sophisticated décor, Italian marble bathrooms and enormous oversized king beds (I swear you could sleep a family of four in that thing).
Fresh air is a precious commodity that’s hard to find in most New York hotel rooms so I love the fact that I can open my windows – Central Park is so close you can smell it! Maybe it’s the euphoria of being in such a luxurious hotel, but I swear, that Upper East Side air seems fresher and cleaner than the rest of Manhattan.
Central Park is so close you can smell it
I’m impressed when the front desk manager calls my room after noticing I had the sniffles. Could they bring me some tea … or could concierge run to the Pharmacy and buy me some medication? With attention like this, it’s easy to forget that this is a 180-room property. It feels more like a small boutique hotel, where every guest is treated like a friend in a private home … a private home with the most incredible art collection!
Chuck Close Tapestry of Kate Moss
The six foot tapestry of Kate Moss hanging in the hotel lobby is mesmerising – a brilliant touch by interior designer Lauren Rottet during the hotel’s 60 million dollar renovation in 2009. There’s something oddly comforting about staring up at a giant make-up free Kate as you wait for the lift. It’s a strikingly modern touch in an otherwise classic hotel, perhaps intended as a nod to nearby “Museum Mile”. The Met, The Guggenheim and The Frick are all on your doorstep.
The Surrey is located on 76th & Madison Ave
I also adore the fact that I can leave the hotel and literally step onto world famous Madison and Fifth Avenue. Sure I can’t afford to buy anything in the designer boutiques along this famously glamorous stretch of road, but just browsing makes me feel like an Upper East Side Princess.
Shopping on 5th Ave
I prefer my shopping in the madness of the “take an additional 50% off the lowest marked price” sale a few blocks away at Bloomingdales. So after an exhausting afternoon trawling the sale racks, I’m thrilled to be offered a complimentary glass of champagne by the smiling doorman upon returning to The Surrey. This simple act speaks volumes about a hotel that truly understands its clientele. There’s something incredibly satisfying about a chilled glass of bubbles after a successful shopping outing to help celebrate your bargains.
Free champagne 4-8pm on weekends
I’m also in raptures when I’m sent up a tray of chocolates and macaroons from the hotel’s prized restaurant, Cafe Boulud. Chef Daniel Boulud’s unique take on French food is regarded as one of Manhattan’s most celebrated dining experiences. So, to receive a tray of complimentary goodies from this Michelin starred restaurant is gratefully and deliciously enjoyed.
When I ask Concierge for a dinner recommendation somewhere local (nothing too touristy), he somehow manages to score me a reservation at the coolest place on the Upper East Side.
Arlington Club
“The Arlington Club” on Lexington is absolutely buzzing with a fun Saturday night vibe. Good food. Great people watching. While standing in the bar waiting for my table, I’m almost knocked unconscious by the steady stream of Chanel bags being paraded through the door on the arms of the local ladies. This place is wall-to-wall packed and I’m not exaggerating when I tell you every single woman in the place is carrying a very large Chanel bag. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. That’s the national debt of a small country!! Right there. In handbags, alone.
Okay so those locals are ridiculously rich, but lucky for the rest of us, they also recycle. “A Second Chance” is a vintage and consignment store I found only two blocks from the hotel on Lexington Ave – a treasure trove of perfect condition, second hand and seriously marked down Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, D&G etc. I’m pretty sure I momentarily stopped breathing when I discovered the entire room of Chanel. Bags. Shoes. Clothes. Jewellery. All no doubt once worn by the local ladies as they dined at The Arlington Club and then promptly discarded the moment next season’s range hit the shelves!
Recycled Treasures
Everything about my stay at The Surrey was absolutely lovely. If you’re looking for a truly “Upper East Side” experience, with all the trimmings, this is the place to stay!