The Story
Named for one of New York’s most iconic thoroughfares, the Fifth Avenue Hotel is more than just one hotel among many in the city’s thriving NoMad neighborhood. Architecturally, it spans more than a century, combining a 1907 Renaissance-style structure by the original Penn Station architects with a modern 24-story glass tower. And inside, the Gilded Age glamour of its public spaces serves as the inspiration for designer Martin Brudnizki’s fantastically colorful and ornate rooms and suites.
Long gone, apparently, are the days when Manhattan luxury boutique hospitality was synonymous with minimalism. From the humblest queen room all the way up to the signature suites — one named for Baudelaire — the accommodations are rich with detail and full of high-end comfort. With the right view you could be convinced you’ve stepped into the Twenties, though the Nespresso coffee makers and Marshall bluetooth speakers might tip you off.
Downstairs you’ll find social spaces that are as dazzling as the rooms, or more. The Portrait Bar is a contemporary riff on a classic drawing room, complete with wood-paneled walls, a carved stone fireplace, and an eclectic, era-spanning collection of artworks, as well as an inventive menu by Darryl Chan. And the restaurant, Café Carmellini, is the work of the James Beard Award–winning chef Andrew Carmellini, best known for TriBeCa’s famous Locanda Verde.