Review / Why you should stay at China-owned Baccarat Hotel in New York City – from its Midtown location opposite MoMA and grand crystal chandeliers to spa treatments with celeb-approved skincare brand La Mer

Jun 1 , 2023

Baccarat Hotel is a luxury refuge to indulge in some me-time, all the more valuable since it’s located in the heart of Manhattan. Photos: Baccarat Hotel

One of the last things you want to do while visiting New York is barricade yourself in a hotel room.

From the greenery of Central Park to the cobblestone streets of the West Village, Manhattan is the perfect place to get lost and wander around. On a recent trip to the city, however, after four days of sunny skies, the weather stopped cooperating. Thunderstorms and incessant rain showers forced me to stay in and enjoy the comfort of my hotel for pretty much a whole day.

The majestic Baccarat Hotel in New York City.

While the city was still buzzing with activity and packed with tourists, as I saw first-hand when I ventured out during a very short dry spell, I didn’t want to brave the elements and ended up hibernating in the confines of my room.

Thankfully, my surroundings provided a great backdrop for a day spent inside. I was staying at the Baccarat Hotel, the first property from the French crystal maker.

Chinese-owned Baccarat Hotel has sumptuous rooms that overlook the city’s busy streets.

The hotel, I later found out, is actually owned by China-based Sunshine Insurance Group and managed by SH Hotels & Resorts. Located in the heart of midtown, the Baccarat Hotel is across the street from MoMa (the Museum of Modern Art) and close to other landmarks such as Rockefeller Center. Fifth Avenue, with its glitzy boutiques and department stores, is around the corner, while Central Park is a short walk away.

In spite of the crystal connection, the hotel is not a sensory overload of crystal-encrusted bling. While transparency and crystal accents are key elements of the decor, the design pays homage to the elegance of a Parisian mansion while also staying true to the modern architecture of midtown Manhattan. Grand chandeliers and glass walls steal the spotlight in the common areas but the soft colour palette of the furniture, with some red accents, feels timeless and warm.

The Baccarat Hotel blends grand chandeliers and red carpets with a subtle furniture colour palette.

The rooms, with mini bars that unsurprisingly feature a beautiful selection of crystalware that is almost too pretty to use, are mini pieds-à-terres in the heart of Manhattan, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city’s busy streets and large marble bathrooms.

Another highlight is the underground fitness area, which obviously proved quite useful on a day where going for a run outside wasn’t an option. The day beds in the alcoves around the marble-tiled pool are the best places to unwind after a long day or a workout in the well-equipped gym. For those who want to indulge in some pampering, the Spa de La Mer offers lavish treatments courtesy of the luxury skincare brand.

Pamper yourself to a luxury spa treatment at the Spa de La Mer in the hotel’s underground fitness area.

With its convenient location and beautiful interiors, the hotel makes for a great base for those visiting New York for the first time and seasoned visitors alike.

Baccarat Hotel is close to many Big Apple landmarks, but provides a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle.

If you want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan but also escape from it all, the Baccarat Hotel offers both proximity to one of the busiest places in the world and a luxury refuge to indulge in some “me-time”.

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Luxury Hotels

The Big Apple has many luxurious hotels to choose from but the Baccarat Hotel checks many boxes – its Midtown location is a major pulling factor, but it also provides an escape from the city bustle
The hotel has extravagant decor like grand crystal chandeliers and sumptuous rooms, while its underground fitness area also houses a spa that offers treatments courtesy of skincare brand La Mer