Pros
- Luxury hotel in Midtown designed by I.M. Pei
- Close to restaurants, shopping, sights, and public transit
- Spacious guest rooms with elegant decor and marble bathrooms
- All rooms have well-stocked minibars, laptop-size safes, and robes
- Some units have Central Park views and balconies
- Lobby restaurant for breakfast and lunch with health-driven menu
- Swanky Ty Bar with excellent cocktails
- Full-service spa with free use of whirlpool, sauna, and steam room
- 24-hour gym with Technogym equipment
- Guests have 24-hour access to business center
- Digital concierge, 24-hour room service, valet parking (fee)
- Free standard Wi-Fi throughout
Cons
- No on-site restaurant serving dinner
- Rooms lack espresso machines, kettles, or iPod docks
- No rainfall showerheads or double sinks; studios lack soaking tubs
- Spa and gym are in the basement, and there's no pool
- Fee for high-speed Wi-Fi in public spaces, Studios, and Junior Suites
Bottom Line
The Midtown outpost of this four-and-a-half-pearl hotel remains a mainstay for travelers loyal to the brand, but it has some quirks and drawbacks that should be noted. A bold statement is made from the start, with grandiose interiors designed by I.M. Pei, yet beyond the marble-clad lobby, Four Seasons New York delivers an abbreviated version of a luxury hotel experience. Features check high-end boxes -- there's a bar with top-notch cocktails and 24-hour room service -- but the hotel lacks a dinner restaurant, the spa and small gym are in the basement, and there's no pool. Its 368 spacious guest rooms and suites are sophisticated and comfortably staid, with custom-made furniture, minibars, and bathrobes, though high-end amenities like espresso machines and iPod docks are missing. Travelers looking for a step up in features can try The St. Regis New York.
Amenities
- Cribs
- Fitness Center
- Internet
- Jacuzzi
- Pets Allowed
- Spa
Oyster Awards
- Best Luxury Hotels in New York City
- Best Luxury Hotels in Midtown East
- Best Hotel Service in New York City
- Our Favorite Handicap-Accessible Hotels in New York
- Lights, Camera, Vacation! See which New York hotels have been in the movies
- Easter brunch: Five of the most decadent feasts in New York City
- Hotels of famous affairs: The secret rendezvous of A-Rod, Marilyn, and more
Scene
Martini-sipping dealmakers and well-heeled globetrotters gather in the swank lobby bar
In terms of high-design pedigree, it's hard to ask for more. Legendary architect I.M. Pei -- the visionary behind the Louvre Pyramid in Paris -- designed the public areas of this 52-story tower, with a lobby that has 33-foot ceilings, rigorous symmetry, and a whole lot of limestone. It isn't ornate, but it's certainly grand and somewhat imposing, as ascending stairs to the reception desk feels like entering a high court and approaching the judge's bench.
Considering there's little to absorb sound, the space is fairly quiet, with a subdued buzz coming from the dramatically backlit Ty Bar and its sultry red lounge. Dealmakers and well-heeled guests seated in Mies Van der Rohe-inspired cantilever chairs huddle around low tables for hushed conversation. All the makings of a typical afternoon in monied Midtown New York are here, but a jarring -- and odd -- timed light display projected on a wall and a giant screen break the spell. Still, it's a sexy space and the cocktails are top-notch, though the hotel's scene begins and ends here.
Beyond reception, it's all commercial, with a high-end handbag boutique and display cases with luxury brand products. You may find yourself wondering why several are filled with an impressive collection of Beanie Babies, and here's your answer: They're the brainchild of the hotel's owner, Ty Warner.
Location
On busy East 57th Street, close to restaurants, sights, and public transit
The Four Season New York is located on bustling East 57th Street, one of Manhattan's major east/west thoroughfares, between Park and Madison avenues. Other high-end hotels and luxury retailers share the block, with upscale bars and restaurants west of the hotel, and more reasonably priced spots along Lexington Avenue to the east. It's also just a little over a block away from Fifth Avenue's famous high-end shopping, such as the Bergdorf Goodman department store and Tiffany & Co.
The hotel is within walking distance of some top sights (Times Square is a bit of a hike), but despite its central Midtown address, most are best reached by cab or by public transit. Luckily, there are three subway stations within a 10-block radius, the closest of which is the Lexington Avenue/59th Street station (4, 5, 6, N, R, and W trains). There's also the 57th Street crosstown bus, which stops a half-block from the hotel on the corner of Madison Avenue, that's handy for getting over to the West Side.
- Seven-minute walk to Central Park
- 10-minute walk to Museum of Modern Art
- 13-minute walk to Rockefeller Center
- 15-minute walk to Columbus Circle/Time Warner Center
- 20-minute walk to Times Square (13 minutes via public transit)
- 13 minutes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art via public transit
- 16 minutes to Union Square via public transit
- 24 minutes to Washington Square Park via public transit
- 25 minutes to 9/11 Memorial Museum/Ground Zero via public transit
- 27 minutes to Battery Park via public transit
- 29-minute drive to Laguardia International Airport (LGA)
- 60-minute drive to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Rooms
Sophisticated and comfortable, but missing some high-end features
Decor is far from adventurous in guests rooms at Four Seasons New York. Visually speaking, they're a bit staid, with English Sycamore wood paneling throughout that smacks of the '90s. But occupying them reveals their understated elegance -- and considerable attention to details aimed at maximizing comfort.
Platform beds have rounded corners to prevent bruised shins, windows open and are cleverly mirrored to enhance sunshine and skyline views, plus there are motorized drapes and tray ceilings with soft lighting. Wool wall-to-wall carpeting and chic, custom-made cerused oak desks make spaces feel luxurious, and stylish accents like Dior and Chanel coffee table books and Andy Warhol prints add a smart dash of color to complete the look.
Amenities include 55- or 60-inch curved flat-screen TVs (Studios have 46-inch models), minibars stocked with products from local gourmet purveyors like Dean & Deluca, and laptop-size safes, but there are no iPod docks, espresso machines, or electric kettles. Studios and Junior Suites have free standard Wi-Fi for up to two devices, but high-speed access, which is standard in upgraded Suites, costs extra.
There are lovely dressing areas with roomy wardrobes, built-in dressers with lined drawers, posh vanities with lighted makeup mirrors, terrycloth robes, slippers, and hairdryers. Double doors open to bathrooms clad in Italian marble. All have walk-in showers, and, with the exception of Studios, separate soaking tubs, plus vanity-mounted mirror TVs and Bulgari bath products. While they're luxe, a few high-end details are missing: There are no double sinks -- an inconvenience or a perk, as there's more counter space -- or rainfall showerheads. Kid-friendly amenities like child-size bathrobes and free special toiletries are available upon request.
There are 300-square-foot Studios, Junior Suites (considered standard, with a total of 286 units) that are an average of 525 square feet, and One- and Two-Bedroom Suites that range from 700 to 1,000 square feet. Specialty Suites are 1,350 and up. Some upgraded units have Central Park-views and private balconies. The opulent Ty Warner Penthouse, with a 360-degree view of the city, is a whopping 4,300 square feet. Despite the hotel's Midtown location, rooms are exceptionally quiet.
Features
Lobby bar, spa, and 24-hour gym, but dinner restaurant or pool
While Four Seasons New York is unquestionably a luxury hotel, features lack the extra oomph to make the property truly exceptional. The most notable drawback is that there's no dinner restaurant. The hotel's Michelin-starred L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon closed in 2012, and before the 2016 renovation, the lobby's restaurant was a buzzy wine bar in the evening.
Now, the Garden -- pricey compared to similar Midtown hotel restaurants -- serves breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch only, with health-driven menus featuring local purveyors and organic ingredients. Highlights of the breakfast lineup include frittata with broccoli, spinach, and asparagus, a smoked salmon egg sandwich, and a special Japanese breakfast. For lunch, entrees such as cauliflower steak with black walnut quinoa, and organic roast chicken with squash risotto are on offer. There's also a kids' menu, but expect to shell out somewhere in the ballpark of $20 for PB&J.
Across the lobby is Ty Bar, which serves up signature cocktails with names that give a nod to New York, like FS NYgroni and Strawberry Fields. There's also a small-plates menu that has some heartier options, such as prime sirloin sliders and spicy ahi tuna rolls, but it's mostly filled with lighter bites.
The spa and gym are located in the basement and feel a bit claustrophobic, with paneled ceilings and no natural light, but they're still attractive and offer the essentials. L.RAPHAEL spa has aromatherapy massages, firming facials, slimming body treatments, and nail care, and guests can use the whirlpool and saunas for free, but there's no pool. The 24-hour gym is small, but it's colorful and well-lighted, with a decent selection of Techogym equipment, free bottled water and fruit, and personal trainer-led yoga and jogging workouts are available for a fee.
Guests have 24-hour access to the business center, there's a digital concierge, and free newspapers. The hotel offers 24-hour room service (fee), and there's free early-morning coffee in the lobby. For those traveling with children, babysitting can be arranged for an extra charge with 48 hours notice, but there's no cost for loaner cribs, and kids receive a free welcome gift and coloring books upon arrival.
Other amenities include valet laundry service, twice-daily housekeeping, and evening turndown service, plus valet parking for an extra charge, airport transfer (fee), and one of the poshest extra perks -- free trips in the Rolls-Royce courtesy car within a 12-block radius of the hotel. Standard Wi-Fi is free in public spaces, but upgrading to high-speed access costs extra. Pets (with a maximum 20-pound weight limit) stay free, and a dog-walking service is available for an extra charge.
This Hotel Also Featured In
Is This Really The Same Brand? The Four Seasons Edition
Sometimes, it’s just easier to choose a name brand hotel over an independent hotel — especially when visiting an unfamiliar destination. When you have to research flights, restaurants, entertainment, and transportation options, it’s often more simple to just go with a name you already love and trust. Which is why it’s so disappointing to show…
9 Ways to Sleep Better in Any Hotel
A bed at the Secrets the Vine Cancun Resort and Spa. It’s a cruel paradox that right when you need sleep the most — when you’re jet lagged or weary from a day of sightseeing — is exactly when it proves to be so illusive. In a hotel, you snap to attention with every hallway…
The Most Luxurious Hotel Mattresses
Travelers spend more than half of their time in a hotel room in the bed, and with that in mind, many hotel chains have upped their respective game in the mattress department. From fluffy pillow toppers to Sleep Numbers to gel foams, hotel chains around the world are rolling out their most luxurious mattresses to…
7 Hotels with Some of the World’s Most Ridiculously Expensive Suites
These days, unless you’re visiting Moscow in the dead of winter or Palm Springs mid-August, you’re going to pay a pretty penny if you decide upon an upscale stay. Even during the off-season, you can sometimes pay top dollar to rest your head in a top property. But there’s expensive, and then there’s ridiculously expensive.…
You'll Blow Your Tax Refund on a Stay in These 11 Extravagant NYC Hotels (and It Will Be Worth It)
Perhaps the most well-known luxury hotel in New York City — The Plaza America’s April 15th tax deadline is fast approaching and those lucky enough to get a big fat check from Uncle Sam may be anxious to spend their wad. No other city in the U.S. does opulence, luxury (or high prices) quite like…
The 12 Most Popular Hotels in New York City
Perpetually packed with locals and tourists, New York City has something for everyone; travelers can see a musical on Broadway, take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, or see an up-and-coming band in Brooklyn. Sure, it’s expensive and crowded, and you’ll be paying high rates for a…
No Need to Rush: Six Hotels Where You Can Stay for a Month -- Or Longer!
Sometimes a hotel just feels like home. And that’s the idea behind our favorite long-term stay hotels; these properties actually encourage guests to crash for weeks at a time. Whether you have what feels like a never-ending work trip or just want to take a break from the norm, there are plenty of hotels that…
New York Check-In: What's New with NYC Hotels
A version of this story previously appeared on The Business Journals. The hotel landscape in New York City is constantly reinventing itself — new hotels open, old hotels renovate, hotel restaurants and bars change. It can be hard for travelers to stay up-to-date on their choices, or even keep tabs on their go-to hotels. So…
Oyster's Fact or Fakeout: David Beckham's Digs, A Hotel Jewelry Heist, and More!
Hotel Le Bristol has a Michelin-starred restaurant. 1. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Instead of renting a home, David Beckham and his brood will be shacking up at the luxury Hotel Le Bristol during his five-month stint playing for Paris Saint-Germain. 2. FACT OR FAKEOUT? Earlier this month, two thieves (disguised as upstanding citizens — whatever that…
The Top 10 Richest Hotel Moguls in the US
Fantasizing about luxurious hotels and faraway resorts is one thing, but fantasizing about owning them is an entirely different concept altogether. Real estate is a high-stakes game that costs big, but, when done right, earns even bigger. And because we are constantly investigating the latest hotels around the globe, we couldn’t help but wonder who…
Things You Should Know About Four Seasons Hotel New York
Also Known As
- Four Seasons Hotel
- New York City Four Seasons
- Four Seasons Hotel New York
- Four Seasons New York City
Room Types
- City View Deluxe Room
- City View Executive Suite
- City View Room
- Manhattan Suite
- Panoramic City View Tower Room
- Panoramic Park View Tower Room
- Panoramic Studio Suite with Terrace
- Park View Executive Suite
- Premium City View Room
- Presidential Suite
- Royal Three Bedroom Suite
- Studio Room
- Terrace Deluxe Room
- Terrace Park View Executive Suite
- Ty Warner Penthouse
Address
57 E 57th St, New York City, New York 10022-2081, United States
Phone
(212) 758-5700
Website
Scene
Martini-sipping dealmakers and well-heeled globetrotters gather in the swank lobby bar
In terms of high-design pedigree, it's hard to ask for more. Legendary architect I.M. Pei -- the visionary behind the Louvre Pyramid in Paris -- designed the public areas of this 52-story tower, with a lobby that has 33-foot ceilings, rigorous symmetry, and a whole lot of limestone. It isn't ornate, but it's certainly grand and somewhat imposing, as ascending stairs to the reception desk feels like entering a high court and approaching the judge's bench.
Considering there's little to absorb sound, the space is fairly quiet, with a subdued buzz coming from the dramatically backlit Ty Bar and its sultry red lounge. Dealmakers and well-heeled guests seated in Mies Van der Rohe-inspired cantilever chairs huddle around low tables for hushed conversation. All the makings of a typical afternoon in monied Midtown New York are here, but a jarring -- and odd -- timed light display projected on a wall and a giant screen break the spell. Still, it's a sexy space and the cocktails are top-notch, though the hotel's scene begins and ends here.
Beyond reception, it's all commercial, with a high-end handbag boutique and display cases with luxury brand products. You may find yourself wondering why several are filled with an impressive collection of Beanie Babies, and here's your answer: They're the brainchild of the hotel's owner, Ty Warner.
Location
On busy East 57th Street, close to restaurants, sights, and public transit
The Four Season New York is located on bustling East 57th Street, one of Manhattan's major east/west thoroughfares, between Park and Madison avenues. Other high-end hotels and luxury retailers share the block, with upscale bars and restaurants west of the hotel, and more reasonably priced spots along Lexington Avenue to the east. It's also just a little over a block away from Fifth Avenue's famous high-end shopping, such as the Bergdorf Goodman department store and Tiffany & Co.
The hotel is within walking distance of some top sights (Times Square is a bit of a hike), but despite its central Midtown address, most are best reached by cab or by public transit. Luckily, there are three subway stations within a 10-block radius, the closest of which is the Lexington Avenue/59th Street station (4, 5, 6, N, R, and W trains). There's also the 57th Street crosstown bus, which stops a half-block from the hotel on the corner of Madison Avenue, that's handy for getting over to the West Side.
- Seven-minute walk to Central Park
- 10-minute walk to Museum of Modern Art
- 13-minute walk to Rockefeller Center
- 15-minute walk to Columbus Circle/Time Warner Center
- 20-minute walk to Times Square (13 minutes via public transit)
- 13 minutes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art via public transit
- 16 minutes to Union Square via public transit
- 24 minutes to Washington Square Park via public transit
- 25 minutes to 9/11 Memorial Museum/Ground Zero via public transit
- 27 minutes to Battery Park via public transit
- 29-minute drive to Laguardia International Airport (LGA)
- 60-minute drive to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Rooms
Sophisticated and comfortable, but missing some high-end features
Decor is far from adventurous in guests rooms at Four Seasons New York. Visually speaking, they're a bit staid, with English Sycamore wood paneling throughout that smacks of the '90s. But occupying them reveals their understated elegance -- and considerable attention to details aimed at maximizing comfort.
Platform beds have rounded corners to prevent bruised shins, windows open and are cleverly mirrored to enhance sunshine and skyline views, plus there are motorized drapes and tray ceilings with soft lighting. Wool wall-to-wall carpeting and chic, custom-made cerused oak desks make spaces feel luxurious, and stylish accents like Dior and Chanel coffee table books and Andy Warhol prints add a smart dash of color to complete the look.
Amenities include 55- or 60-inch curved flat-screen TVs (Studios have 46-inch models), minibars stocked with products from local gourmet purveyors like Dean & Deluca, and laptop-size safes, but there are no iPod docks, espresso machines, or electric kettles. Studios and Junior Suites have free standard Wi-Fi for up to two devices, but high-speed access, which is standard in upgraded Suites, costs extra.
There are lovely dressing areas with roomy wardrobes, built-in dressers with lined drawers, posh vanities with lighted makeup mirrors, terrycloth robes, slippers, and hairdryers. Double doors open to bathrooms clad in Italian marble. All have walk-in showers, and, with the exception of Studios, separate soaking tubs, plus vanity-mounted mirror TVs and Bulgari bath products. While they're luxe, a few high-end details are missing: There are no double sinks -- an inconvenience or a perk, as there's more counter space -- or rainfall showerheads. Kid-friendly amenities like child-size bathrobes and free special toiletries are available upon request.
There are 300-square-foot Studios, Junior Suites (considered standard, with a total of 286 units) that are an average of 525 square feet, and One- and Two-Bedroom Suites that range from 700 to 1,000 square feet. Specialty Suites are 1,350 and up. Some upgraded units have Central Park-views and private balconies. The opulent Ty Warner Penthouse, with a 360-degree view of the city, is a whopping 4,300 square feet. Despite the hotel's Midtown location, rooms are exceptionally quiet.
Features
Lobby bar, spa, and 24-hour gym, but dinner restaurant or pool
While Four Seasons New York is unquestionably a luxury hotel, features lack the extra oomph to make the property truly exceptional. The most notable drawback is that there's no dinner restaurant. The hotel's Michelin-starred L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon closed in 2012, and before the 2016 renovation, the lobby's restaurant was a buzzy wine bar in the evening.
Now, the Garden -- pricey compared to similar Midtown hotel restaurants -- serves breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch only, with health-driven menus featuring local purveyors and organic ingredients. Highlights of the breakfast lineup include frittata with broccoli, spinach, and asparagus, a smoked salmon egg sandwich, and a special Japanese breakfast. For lunch, entrees such as cauliflower steak with black walnut quinoa, and organic roast chicken with squash risotto are on offer. There's also a kids' menu, but expect to shell out somewhere in the ballpark of $20 for PB&J.
Across the lobby is Ty Bar, which serves up signature cocktails with names that give a nod to New York, like FS NYgroni and Strawberry Fields. There's also a small-plates menu that has some heartier options, such as prime sirloin sliders and spicy ahi tuna rolls, but it's mostly filled with lighter bites.
The spa and gym are located in the basement and feel a bit claustrophobic, with paneled ceilings and no natural light, but they're still attractive and offer the essentials. L.RAPHAEL spa has aromatherapy massages, firming facials, slimming body treatments, and nail care, and guests can use the whirlpool and saunas for free, but there's no pool. The 24-hour gym is small, but it's colorful and well-lighted, with a decent selection of Techogym equipment, free bottled water and fruit, and personal trainer-led yoga and jogging workouts are available for a fee.
Guests have 24-hour access to the business center, there's a digital concierge, and free newspapers. The hotel offers 24-hour room service (fee), and there's free early-morning coffee in the lobby. For those traveling with children, babysitting can be arranged for an extra charge with 48 hours notice, but there's no cost for loaner cribs, and kids receive a free welcome gift and coloring books upon arrival.
Other amenities include valet laundry service, twice-daily housekeeping, and evening turndown service, plus valet parking for an extra charge, airport transfer (fee), and one of the poshest extra perks -- free trips in the Rolls-Royce courtesy car within a 12-block radius of the hotel. Standard Wi-Fi is free in public spaces, but upgrading to high-speed access costs extra. Pets (with a maximum 20-pound weight limit) stay free, and a dog-walking service is available for an extra charge.
Best Rates
Amenities
-
Air Conditioner
-
Airport Transportation
-
Babysitting Services
-
Balcony / Terrace / Patio
-
Basic Television
-
Beauty / Hair Salon
-
Business Center
-
Cable
-
Concierge
-
Cribs
-
Dry Cleaning
-
Fitness Center
-
Internet
-
Jacuzzi
-
Kids Allowed
-
Laundry
-
Meeting / Conference Rooms
-
Mini Bar (with liquor)
-
Pets Allowed
-
Poolside Drink Service
-
Room Service
-
Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space
-
Spa
-
Supervised Kids Activities
-
Swim-Up Bar
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.