The Fifth Avenue Hotel

New York

A Gilded Age icon reborn

Steeped in New York history, The Fifth Avenue Hotel occupies the site of an 1856 mansion turned Renaissance-style palazzo designed by landmark architects McKim, Mead & White. Visionary owner Alex Ohebshalom spent over a decade transforming the historic site into a modern urban oasis, seamlessly joining the lovingly restored original building with a sleek new 24-storey tower. Grounded in the concept of the flâneur – a leisurely, cultured urban stroller – the hotel feels like the personal sanctuary of an eccentric, art-collecting world traveler.

Interior architect Martin Brudnizki brings this vision to life through romantic, playful maximalism. Across the hotel's public spaces and guest rooms, visitors encounter over 700 curated artworks, silk-ruched fabric walls, Murano glass chandeliers and Burmese mirrors. The sensory journey is heightened by Eau de L'Aire, a bespoke house fragrance created with French perfumer Mane featuring crisp notes of basil, bergamot, and mandarin.

The hotel's spaces evoke a dramatic sense of mise-en-scène. At flagship restaurant Café Carmellini, double-height ceilings and towering bronze tree sculptures create a grand backdrop for chef Andrew Carmellini's cuisine. Guests can retreat to the multi-level Portrait Bar for craft cocktails accompanied by cinema-style boxes of everything-bagel popcorn, or indulge in signature theatrical touches, such as an in-room martini service served with an elaborate array of garnishes.

For all of this and more, The Fifth Avenue Hotel has been awarded the American Express Travel One To Watch Award as part of The World's 50 Best Hotels 2026.

The American Express Travel One To Watch Award is an accolade given to a stand-out property that the 50 Best team believes has the potential to break into the 1-50 ranking in future editions.

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