T+L’s Review of The Peninsula New York

In a city that reinvents itself almost daily, The Peninsula New York manages to evolve without losing its soul. Housed in a Beaux-Arts landmark that first opened in 1904, the building has lived many lives. Since becoming part of The Peninsula family in 1988, it has stood as the brand’s East Coast flagship, a Fifth Avenue anchor that blends Old World grandeur with modern-day luxury.

The Peninsula brand itself carries nearly a century of prestige. From its Hong Kong original to glamorous outposts in Paris, Tokyo, and Bangkok, Peninsula hotels are renowned for marrying the best of local culture with meticulous service. The New York hotel reflects these commitments while leaning into its own unique identity—a celebration of Manhattan’s Art Deco heritage infused with quiet confidence. A 2024 renovation has brought a new chapter to that story, introducing refreshed public spaces, all while preserving the building’s historic bones.

The revamp of all 219 guest rooms and suites introduced contemporary furnishings and artwork to the common areas. Gotham Lounge, the hotel’s lobby-level lounge, was reinvented as a piano bar, while Salon de Ning, the former rooftop bar, is now Pen Top, a chic cocktail and dining venue with classic New York City fare and jaw-dropping Midtown views.

For me, the charm of The Peninsula New York is in the way it layers its heritage with moments of indulgence. My room was a study in understated glamour, from its marble and metallic accents to its perfectly calibrated lighting schemes. During my stay, I swam in the property’s glass-walled rooftop pool, where I had an incomparable view of midtown. I sipped a perfectly balanced cocktail at Pen Top as the Empire State Building shimmered against the night sky. I wandered blocks away to Central Park, and some of the best shopping in the world, always returning to the quiet refuge of the hotel as the city’s din faded behind me.

The Peninsula New York is an institution, and yet, every time I visit, the hotel surprises me. Here’s my full review of The Peninsula New York.

The Rooms

The Peninsula New York’s newly renovated guest rooms are a highlight of the hotel’s 2024 revamp. Each of the 219 rooms and suites balances a muted color palette with Fifth Avenue glam—marble and metallic accents gently punctuate the spaces, nodding to the hotel’s art deco history. The accommodations are outfitted with a host of thoughtful details such as custom peony and musk-scented bathroom toiletries. Guests are welcomed with a sweet gift: an adorable assortment of New York-themed cookies, each perched under a glass cloche, and complete with cookie origin stories.

The marble bathrooms are particularly luxurious, with deep soaking tubs and upscale extras like built-in TVs. Tech touches throughout the rooms are understated but practical: wireless charging stations, intuitive lighting controls, and blackout shades. Higher floors reward guests with sweeping views of midtown’s skyscrapers, while lower floors keep you plugged into Fifth Avenue’s energy, street noise included.

Food and Drink

In addition to 24-hour room service, The Peninsula New York offers three more dining options: Clement Restaurant, Gotham Lounge, and Pen Top. Although I skipped Clement in favor of a more casual evening, other guests described a chic setting for polished American fare, with a particularly luxe breakfast offering. Gotham Lounge is an intimate townhouse-inspired space with vintage cocktails and street views.

But the real draw at the hotel is its glamorous 23rd-floor rooftop bar that balances classic cocktails with some of the best midtown views in the neighborhood. Open year-round thanks to a sleek retractable enclosure, it’s equally suited to summer sunsets and cozy winter nights. It’s hard to deny the magic of a well-balanced cocktail and a soaring view of the Empire State Building all aglow.

Activities and Experiences

Few Manhattan hotels boast an indoor pool with skyline views, and here, it’s not an afterthought but a showpiece. Located on the hotel’s 22nd floor and lined with floor-to-ceiling windows and chic plantscaping, the pool is a serene retreat, offering a 360-degree perch for guests to observe the goings-on below. The fitness center is large by city hotel standards, and features modern equipment along with plenty of natural light.

Concierge service is exactly what you want in this part of town: knowledgeable, efficient, and eager to secure dinner reservations or last-minute Broadway tickets. This kind of service is quickly becoming a relic in New York City hotels, but staff at The Peninsula are determined to uphold a gold standard.

The Spa

The Peninsula Spa isn’t just an amenity—it’s a destination in itself. Set high above midtown, it offers a peaceful respite with private treatment rooms, a tea lounge, gender-separated relaxation spaces, and a menu of therapies designed to feel both luxurious and deeply restorative.

The hotel also houses a hair salon by Vu Nguyen, staffed with expert hairstylists and makeup artists.

Family-friendly Offerings

The Peninsula New York is best suited for business travelers and couples, but hotel staff do their best to ensure families are comfortable. Adjoining rooms are available, and kids receive thoughtful welcome treats like bath toys. I didn’t visit with my children, but upon hearing that I am the mother of seven-year-old twins, the hotel concierge gifted me a small toy taxi to bring home. And, as anyone who has ever traveled with young children knows well, the pool alone is worth the price of admission when you need to entertain energetic traveling companions.

While the hotel’s suites are spacious enough to make traveling with children feel less burdensome, the location itself puts you a quick walk or cab ride from kid-friendly attractions, such as the Central Park Zoo, the FAO Schwarz toy store, and the Museum of Modern Art.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The Peninsula New York has made strides toward prioritizing accessibility throughout the property. Guests will find accessible entrances, elevators to all floors, and dedicated accessible rooms with adapted bathrooms. Hotel staff are proactive in accommodating guest concerns.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, the parent company of The Peninsula Hotels, has unveiled its Sustainable Luxury Vision 2030 as a roadmap toward meeting the company’s long-term environmental and community goals. Among other initiatives, the company is focused on reducing plastic use across its hotels and upgrading facilities to reduce its environmental footprint. The Peninsula New York achieved EarthCheck certification in 2024.

Location

If you want a midtown address that truly feels central, The Peninsula New York nails it. Stepping out the door in the morning feels a little like arriving at the heart of the luxury shopping universe, with Fifth Avenue stretching out in both directions. If you’d rather not empty your wallet, Central Park is just a few blocks north, and the Museum of Modern Art is practically around the corner.

Leisure guests get unbeatable access—most of it walkable—to New York’s museums, theaters, and landmarks. As with most Manhattan hotels, more coffee and dining options are within a city block’s radius.

Book Now

The Peninsula New York is part of American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts as well as The Edit by Chase Travel, both of which offer complimentary WiFi, early check-in and late check-out (based on availability), room upgrades (based on availability), and $100 hotel credit to be used during the stay.

Nightly rates at The Peninsula New York start from $895.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.