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The St. Regis New York is one of the most iconic hotels and the place that launched the luxury brand 120 years ago. The hotel has undergone an extensive renovation to its public spaces including the lobby, King Cole Bar, and two new dining options.
John Jacob Astor IV created The St. Regis to rival the finest hotels in Europe. He wanted a space where his close friends and family could feel as though they were guests in a private home. The hotel became the center of Manhattan social life and was the headquarters of the original “Caroline’s 400.” This elite social group designated by Astor’s mother and society doyenne, Caroline Astor. The St. Regis New York has hosted some of the most glamorous, creative, and intriguing personalities including Salvador Dali and Marilyn Monroe. It’s also the birthplace of the Bloody Mary cocktail.
The St. Regis New York’s redesigned public spaces embrace the hotel’s original Beaux-Arts architecture while making updates to make it feel like home for the Astor family in the 21st century. This refresh combines heritage design elements, including Waterford crystal chandeliers and original crown moldings, with modern furnishings and a rich color palette. The lobby has been expanded to include a welcome area, which houses the concierge team. It features deep aquamarine walls and custom hand painted wallcoverings with peacocks (a nod to one of the original 1920s murals featured at the hotel created in collaboration with de Gournay). The space’s original Tiffany & Co. Chandelier remains and brings a touch of old-world glamour to the space.
General Manager Octavia Marginean- Tahiroglu, said:
Since 1904, The St. Regis New York has stood as a beacon for generations of global travelers looking to be in the center of Manhattan and surround themselves in the timeless allure which has defined the Fifth Avenue icon from its founding by John Jacob Astor IV. The renovation signals a milestone moment for the cherished New York City icon as we present our masterfully redesigned public spaces this fall – in our 120th anniversary year.”
The Drawing Room is the new lobby restaurant and bar. The space is filled with embroidery and fringe details inspired by Caroline Astor’s embellished dresses and jewelry. Seating is relaxed and embraces a lounge aesthetic. Off the main dining room, an extended lounge features additional seating tailored toward groups gathering for a more relaxed dining experience. Guests will also discover the original Astor Library’s private collection of books, which John Jacob Astor IV had commissioned by Scribner and Sons for the hotel. The collection is now on display in the public spaces for the first time ever.
The King Cole Bar remains along with the iconic Maxfield Parish King Cole mural. The bar has been refreshed with dark wood paneling and a deep green ceiling. Accents of bronze and onyx add an additional level of sophistication to the New York institution.
Finally, La Maisonette offers a new venue for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. The bright and airy space creates the feeling of an outdoor pavilion, inspired by the hotel’s original breakfast room from the 1910s and French design. The space will serve breakfast daily for hotel guests and visitors as well as transform into an afternoon tea salon, which is a time-honored ritual of The St. Regis New York that was started by Caroline Astor.
Anthony’s Take: The St. Regis New York is an institution. I’ve stayed there before and enjoyed the suite. The lobby was in need of some love and I’m happy to see that it’s been refreshed. Happy 120th!
(Image Credits: Stevos Disposable and Marriott.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
