The Whitby Hotel
What We Love
- Posh yet playful interiors designed by one of London’s arbiters of style
- Having a cocktail at the handsome bar, decorated with myriads of hanging baskets made in Britain
- Being steps away from 5th Avenue and Central Park
- The hotel’s 130-seat private cinema, which shows classic movies every weekend afternoon
What To Know
- Standard rooms are quite spacious for New York City, starting at 330 square feet
- There’s a small but well-equipped gym open 24 hours
- Kid-friendly property offering cribs, rollaway beds, and entertainment in the form of children’s books, board games, and DVDs
Overview
The Lowdown
The second New York City property from trendsetting UK hoteliers Tim and Kit Kemp is as chic as expected. Their hospitality group, Firmdale Hotels, includes some of London’s most Instagram-worthy addresses. Ms. Kemp, an accomplished interior designer, is known for her smart layering of boldly colored textiles, wallpapers, and artworks, creating atmospheres that are both cozy and theatrical. The Whitby’s 86 individually styled rooms, some with large private terraces, have warehouse-style massive windows framed by patterned curtains and are furnished with curvaceous upholstered headboards, rolled arm settees, and handpicked framed art. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, book the spectacular Whitby Suite on the 16th floor, which comes with two master bedrooms, a spacious living room, and two elegantly appointed terraces overlooking Midtown’s skyscrapers. Common areas display a distinctively British décor, especially the ground-level bar and restaurant, where a myriad of woven baskets from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland hang over a 30-foot pewter counter. Afternoon tea is served all day long at the adjacent orangerie, a present-day version of an Edwardian salon.
In the Area
Located on West 56th Street at Fifth Avenue, The Whitby is just three blocks away from Central Park. A few steps north of the nearest entrance is The Pond, an idyllic body of water that includes an island inhabited by birds and turtles, as well as seasonal flower displays. After this dose of nature, get a culture fix at MoMA, one of the world’s top museums, home to a collection of 200,000 must-see works of modern and contemporary art. Then head to nearby Bergdorf Goodman, the city’s most luxurious department store whose top-floor BG Restaurant offers stunning views of the park and tasty American and French classics. Book lovers shouldn’t miss Bauman Rare Books, a time-honored, gallery-like store featuring tomes dating back to the 15th century. Come nightfall, feast on one of New York City’s famous steaks at Quality Meats, a stylish restaurant designed by the award-winning firm AvroKO.
How to Get There
Reviews
I have always been a fan of the Firmdale Hotels and I finally got the chance to stay in one.
I arrived early in the morning and got an early check-in with an upgrade to junior suite.
The lobby and restaurant were amazing, full of colors and details. A combination of classic British design with the modern colorful touch.
The room was stunning, very clean and full of details. Each room in the hotel has its own design but you can tell they have the same spirit, especially with the signature mannequin in each.
The bed was extremely comfortable.
I asked for a steaming iron and a coffee machine and got what I needed in no time.
The hotel manager sent a personalized welcome note with a small gift.
The receptionist and concierge were so helpful and kind, I was able to plan my schedule efficiently to cover most of the places I had in mind because of their advice.
The location was so convenient a couple of minutes walk to 5th Avenue and close to most of the attractions - walking distance.
The price was a bit high but worth it.
The hotel is perfectly situated in NYC close to any touristic or professional main location.
The staff was so helpful, warm and professional. The room with terrasse is a must, specially with a sunny morning, to enjoy a breakfast on it.
The room a perfectly decorated every details has been thought to make you stay perfect. The room is very well isolated.
The perfect luxury hotel.
Thanks again for the amazing stay to the staff there.
This hotel is so lovely. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. The rooms are beautiful, small but beautiful. The decor of the hotel is stunning. Loved my stay here and would definitely come again
Fantastic afternoon tea. Where else do you get pure Irish linen tablecloths, Irish linen napkins, English bone china and silverplate (instead of stainless steel) flatware?
Great tea sandwiches, delicious scones and tea cakes. Fragrant loose leaf tea and attentive service in a beautiful room.
This is by far the best English afternoon tea in NY.
The rooms are very cozy, super clean and the service is great. If I had to be super picky the service in the restaurant is slow. The bathrooms are spacious, the sheets and towels are super soft. Highly recommend.