Profile

Built by noted architects Bien & Prince and named for British essayist Thomas Carlyle, this charming, quietly elegant hotel has been a city mainstay since 1930. Uniformed elevator operators whisk guests up to spacious Empire- and Art Deco-style rooms decorated by Dorothy Draper, and later updated by noted designer Mark Hampton. Done-up in shades of red, blue, pale green or cream, with Audubon, Piranesi or Kips prints on the walls, rooms feel like private Upper East Side apartments—classic, comfortable, refined. Personal fax machines, wireless connections, DVD and CD players qualify the Carlyle as high-tech, but it is their unique and luxurious amenities that truly standout: Custom-made Limoge ashtrays, Kiehl’s beauty products, breakfast trays and, in many suites, terraces and grand pianos. The discreet, knowledgeable staff has expertly catered to generations of regulars, including celebrities, Presidents and royalty; notable names have also lived in the Carlyle’s residential section, where apartment owners enjoy the same perks as hotel guests. Tuxedo-ed men and bejeweled women enjoy fine French cuisine at Dumonet; lighter fare in the Turkish-themed Gallery; drinks among the whimsical murals of Bemelman’s Bar; and classic entertainment in the famed Café Carlyle. — Sandra Ramani

Multiple rooms, park-view terraces and grand pianos make suites better outfitted than most New York apartments; the incredible sense of history—and the long-time staffers’ stories—bring the city’s past to life.

Cons
Travelers looking for a trendy scene may find The Carlyle a little stuffy.

Claim to Fame
In addition to hosting countless celebrities (including Princess Diana), The Carlyle’s cafe has long featured quintessentially New York musical acts like Bobby Short and Woody Allen.