Profile

The nearly block-long Pierre Hotel boasts a grand awning and detailed exterior moldings to rival those of an ornate Broadway theater. The interior—equally impressive with its Rotunda, a trompe l’oeil ceiling and murals by Edward Melcarth—is a prime destination for afternoon tea and appetizers. The problem is, the Pierre is almost too luxurious for its own good. Exquisite fixtures and artwork make it difficult to kickback and relax; the standard guest rooms are slightly smaller than comparable hotels and fail to offer the newer amenities (flat screen TVs, wireless internet, stereo systems) that are becoming the norm among five-star hotels. As the Upper East Side address suggests, this isn’t a rock‘n roll boutique hotel. Guests rolling into breakfast at one of the in-house restaurants in a t-shirt and cutoffs should expect a few raised eyebrows. — Chris Strauss

The ground floor architecture and presentation.

Cons
A stuffy atmosphere.

Weddings
One of the most luxurious wedding locations in New York City, the Pierre offers a comprehensive list of services including an on-site wedding planner, flower arrangements, customized menus (they can accommodate kosher events), and wedding-day photography. The spacious, meticulously decorated ballrooms hold anywhere from 20 to 500 guests; the Pierre also offers discounted rates for overnight wedding guests. Prices upon request.