Five Star Finest on Fifth Avenue: Everything You Need to Know About the Peninsula in New York

August 31, 2017

There was a full day ahead paced to the New York minute. It didn’t help that the bed was confoundedly comfortable and the pillows deliciously soft. Snuggling under the immaculate whiteness of the duvet was just the thing after the flight from Manila. It had actually been a good trip, crossing time zones on Philippine Airlines direct to the East Coast. The afternoon departure from Terminal 1 landed in JFK at 10:30PM on the same day. We checked into The Peninsula New York and went to sleep.

Neighbors with Harry Winston and the Rockefellers

The hotel on 700 Fifth Avenue corner 55^th Street is a distinguished address in New York City. Besides the Uber driver’s commentary that it was the best hotel, Forbes Travel Guide named The Peninsula New York as One of the Finest Five Star Properties in the World circa 2017. Travel + Leisure Magazine awarded a similar distinction in 2007, naming it one of the greatest hotels in the world. Over the past 13 years, the former Gotham Hotel has consistently been recognized with the AAA Five Diamond Award, the highest level given by AAA for dining places and lodgings.

Even without knowing about the laureates, the facility and the service experienced conveyed as much about excellence and premium. The location is prime, in the neighborhood of the Rockefeller Center, Museum of Modern Art and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Harry Winston is across the street, and Bloomingdale’s, Prada, De Beers, Armani and Fendi a stroll away. Despite a recent report that several flagship stores are relocating from the world’s most expensive street, there are more than enough retail brands to indulge a taste for luxury goods.

Chef, Chauffeur and Limousine

The entrance to the neoclassical designed building on 55^th opened to a foyer with a staircase that recalls the properties in Manila and Hong Kong, albeit on a smaller scale, but nonetheless elegant and Instagram-worthy. It was a short flight up to the reception desk, where the business of checking-in was conducted with courteous attentiveness, efficiency and an offer to use the chauffeur-driven hotel car when needed. The service allowed several appointments to be met that day in the comfort and convenience of a limousine

The property was initially built as a residential hotel for a clientele of New Yorkers who wanted to stay in the city but preferred not to be encumbered by the maintenance of a residence. It certainly felt like a homecoming when General Manager Jonathan Crook personally came down to receive us with a warm hug. His stint in Manila had gained him friends, who kept in touch even after he had been assigned to Fifth Avenue. He did, in the course of the visit, come by at The Clement, where breakfast was served, with Chef Samuel Linder, who had also been party of The Peninsula Manila.

Jose Nicholas, who served at our table each morning, was a Filipino, but was practically a local from his many years in the United States. His suggestions were on point for a delightful morning meal and surprised us with a scrumptious serving of Malted Belgian Waffles or Banana-pecan Pancakes on top of all that we ordered. The innate hospitality of our countrymen complimented the hotel’s culture of graciousness.

Lobsters and Italian Sausages for Breakfast

Dining at the Clement became the morning ritual, sitting by the arched window with an elevated view of Fifth Avenue. The day, whether cloudy, rainy or bright and sunny looked good from that vantage point above the street. It was a good start to a busy day, to have quiet time before the other hotel guests came in.

Organic mixed berries and a cup of hot chocolate were the staples for an interchangeable main course of Eggs Benedict, Maine Lobster & Eggs, Quinoa Porridge, or Smoked Salmon Bagel. Sidings like the Italian sweet sausages or Applewood-smoked bacon were sourced from local farms to compliment the notable American Fare concept. The menu was well-curated and, unfortunately, there were not enough days to try everything.

The Hamptons in Midtown Manhattan

Besides The Clement, which was designed by international Yabu Pushelberg and named after Mr. Clement Kwok, CEO of the owning company The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Limited, there were other possibilities within the hotel to occupy time. The Gotham Lounge, by the reception, serves a light menu for midday and evening time. So named to reference its historical beginning, the Manhattan Deco inspired space feels like a midtown townhouse conducive for relaxed dining. It is also a venue for afternoon tea with champagne and Ossetra caviar or pre-dinner cocktails surrounded by a collection of artworks, rotated throughout the year.

The other place to park with a signature cocktail of Tand Tea, that lively mix of Don Julio Blanco Tequila, white tea, pomegranate and watermelon, is Salon the Ning. There are salons in different Peninsula properties around the world named after the stylish Shanghainese socialite. Incidentally, Jonathan Crook was the GM who was actively involved in setting up the Manila version.

Salon de Ning in New York has the same rich texture of Madame Ning’s stylish residences decorated with objets picked up from her jaunts to many lands. Surrounding the well-stacked bar are Moroccan lanterns, Venetian mirrors, intricately carved Chinese screens and 1930s decorative accouterments. The main attraction remains to be the terrace, being that Salon de Ning is situated in the hotel’s rooftop. It is a different view of Fifth Avenue and the New York Skyline in a setting with a Hamptons vibe. Great place for sunset watching and nursing a D’Artagnan, a drink of Chateau Laubade Armagnac, Luca Paretti prosecco, Cointreau and orange.

Close to Heaven on the 21^st Floor

The sundeck view from the Fitness Center is the health buff’s alternative to the terrace. This top floor facility has an al fresco area that is open during the summertime. It has an indoor swimming pool surrounded by glass walls that provide a suggestion of the outdoors.

Besides the work out area, there is a spa facility covering 35,000 square feet of floor space in three levels. It is oasis for de-stressing on the 21^st floor, offering therapeutic treatments and that luxurious French skin care pampering of Biologique Recherche within an indulgent private spa suite or a treatment room. After a succession of engagements and activities, the Peninsula Spa is ideally the last appointment before retiring to the room and cocooning under the covers. The mind easily drifts into the altered consciousness that tunes out from the city that never sleeps. It is a wonderful way to end a day in New York City.