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The Carlyle

New York

An enduring symbol of elegance and sophistication in a discerning city

What’s the story? The Carlyle, located on New York’s Upper East Side, is arguably Manhattan’s most famous hotel, with a rich history that dates back almost a century. Named after British essayist Thomas Carlyle, it has been a symbol of elegance and sophistication since its inception in 1930. With its Art Deco-inspired aesthetic meant to evoke a sense of timeless luxury and refined comfort, over the decades the hotel has been home to countless prominent figures, including the Kennedy family.

Art Deco classic: The 35-storey, 192-room property was originally designed by architects Sylvan Bien and Harry M. Prince in the Art Deco style – defined though geometric shapes, clean lines and luxurious materials – which was popular during the early 1900s. But in 2001 the Rosewood Hotel Group acquired the property, and in 2021 it embarked on renovations to preserve The Carlyle’s historic elegance and sophistication.

Musical martinis: Jazz lovers and martini fans know that the place to go for some of the best in each category is Bemelmans Bar, named after Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the Madeline children's books, whose murals adorn the walls. In fact, it’s reputed that Bemelmans serves over 1,000 martinis a night, led by head bartender Luis Serrano, who has been with the place since 1989. The Carlyle is also home to Turkish-inspired tea salon The Gallery and cozy cabaret venue Café Carlyle, as well as the hotel’s newest addition: New American restaurant Dowling’s at The Carlyle.

The clientele: The Carlyle has welcomed well-heeled, high-profile guests of all ilks, from celebrities to politicians to business leaders. As the story goes, President John F. Kennedy kept an apartment at The Carlyle, and the hotel became known as ‘the New York White House’ during his presidency. In more recent years, The Carlyle has become the choice respite during the Met Gala every May for celebrities from Priyanka Chopra to Kendall Jenner.

Key Information

• Rooms: 192
• Starting Rate: $1065
• Dining: Dowling's at The Carlyle
• Drinking: Bemelmans Bar
• At the Hotel: Spa/wellness centre, Fitness centre, Pet friendly, Family friendly, Hair Salon
• 35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021, United States
• +1 212-744-1600
• Visit The Carlyle's Website
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