The Beauty of the Baccarat Hotel in New York City
If you are heading to New York City, whether for business or pleasure, and are seeking a mid-town location with a discreet entrance emblematic of its French ancestry, one that is replete with elegant accommodations, stellar service, and an indoor pool and world class spa, then The Baccarat Hotel New York, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts is just the ticket.
Located at 20 West 53rd Street across from Museum of Modern Art, Baccarat’s talented design duo, Gilles & Boissier, utilized the namesake crystal in a profoundly graceful and exquisite manner. Regardless of from where you just arrived or where you are next headed, you will dream of returning to The Baccarat.
The Bed
New York City is well-known for small apartments and hotel accommodations. However, even the Baccarat’s most “petite” of its 114 rooms and suites are over 400 square feet, 100 square feet larger than my first east coast apartment. While size certainly matters, where the Baccarat also shines is its inherent luxurious feel and attention to even the smallest detail, that will have you feeling like a million bucks about five seconds after arrival.
My room boasted high ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors, a framed four poster bed dressed in Mascioni jacquard bedding and high-count Supima sheets to cure even the world’s most severe insomniac. Then there is the Kreuther handcrafted chocolates in its signature red box left bedside for your sweet tooth’s pleasure.
The room was accentuated by a large comfortable working desk with oodles of electrical outlets and USB ports. And to make sure no guest loses their whimsy, there’s a seriously cool angled bulletin board near the desk that can be used to keep yourself organized, or develop a wish list – for example, visiting upcoming Baccarat locations in Florence, Dubai, Miami, and the Maldives.
The room’s television – something I never touch when traveling – however, here was compelled to engage this one since it brought new meaning to the term “smoke and mirrors,” as it was literally embedded in a smoky mirror. Its creatively aesthetic presentation however sadly could not alter my current views on cable news.
When the front desk clerk escorted me to my room, he asked perhaps the most rhetorical question in the history of the modern world, “Would you like a coffee machine in the room?” Not five minutes later, a shiny, full-size Nespresso machine arrived with an assortment of pods and cream. All was once again right in the world.
The bathroom had a large Carrera marble vanity with sink cut out, signature Baccarat amenities, voluminous towels, and an extra-large marble walk-in shower with both European and rain shower heads. Walking in the shower, much to my glee, discreetly hidden behind the vanity with full marbled wall surrounds, was a glorious, deep soaking bathtub complete with lightly scented bath salts. The separate water closet had a Duravit heated toilet with every conceivable bell and whistle.
The Meals
By the time I finally sat down to dinner with a friend in Bacarrat’s divine Grand Salon one evening, the chic, superbly dressed crowd were all enjoying the musicians accompanying the lovely and talented singer that seemingly all appeared right out of central casting.
Enjoying a chicken Caesar salad followed by a comforting, wild mushroom bisque, I was fully sated. However, I nearly leaned over with my fork – but against my better judgment did not – when a nearby guest’s order of roasted acorn squash was served. Sometimes my control shocks even me.
Following an extremely long next day of meetings, I had the good fortune to break bread at Daniel Boulud’s newest offspring, La Tete d’Or, that opened in late November to critical acclaim. It’s designed in a modern, yet exceedingly comfortable style that somehow manages to exude exclusivity while being an inherently inviting atmosphere. The bar was lively, as skilled mixologists prepared excellent dirty martinis adorned with blue cheese stuffed olives.
Once seated, my dining partner and I fought over an array of oysters, debating which were better: the east coast varietals, that were slightly brinier, or the best coast oysters with its deeper shell, a tad sweeter and hinting of cucumber. The dispute concluded with a handshake, like any good negotiation, and where it was mutually agreed that both types tasted like savoring a French kiss belonging to the blue seas.
The ahi tartar had a delicate flavor unrobed from the usual shoyu and ginger bath resulting in a sensation much like that of a fine wine opening up as it was enjoyed.
The pièce de résistance was the Denver steak, also called a Zabuton cut, of American wagyu from Idaho’s Snake River Farms, that was so tender my knife yawned with boredom. Naturally, my dining partner insisted – like the great debater he is – that as terrific as my wagyu was, his prime rib was the best he’d ever had. Siding up to this A-list carnivorous carnival was the house made ravioli serving as the ultimate comfort food – that is if your grandmother is a great chef and also hails from Bordeaux.
The beautiful and uniquely presented cheesecake was sprinkled with gold leaf. This frankly made perfect sense because when one dines at La tete d’Or – or anywhere else in the Boulud universe – the truth is that you will eat like royalty. Perhaps equally as important, you will simply feel like royalty. Note to progeny, be advised of the following promise: the next clan member’s name shall be named Daniel. Do not bother to read suggest anything else.
The Finds
On Baccarat’s lower level is a spacious, 24-hour, state-of-the-art fitness center with Technogym equipment, free weights, spinning bikes, elliptical machines, and five treadmills. So there is no waiting for your workout.
Opposite the fitness center is a beautiful indoor swimming pool heated to a balmy 84° and bearing double-sized cabanas housing comfortable daybeds for relaxation or a nap before or after a spa treatment at Spa La Mer.
At Spa La Mer – the brand’s only U.S. location, they surely imported their heated massage tables directly from heaven, so enveloping and so comfortable it was. The adept masseur removed every bit of my tension and left me refreshed and rejuvenated.
Naturally, if jewelry purchases are in your personal forecast, the stroll to the glittering diamond district won’t even burn off the calories from two bites of Junior’s Deli famous cheesecake. But any purchases in the diamond district are guaranteed to be calorically diet proof.
The Lessons Learned
Whatever your reasons are for coming to New York City, without doubt, those reasons will be deeply enhanced by staying at The Baccarat and of course if you are fortunate to score a table at La Tete d’Or. Mais oui. Happy travels!
Julie L. Kessler is a journalist, attorney, and the author of the award-winning memoir: “Fifty-Fifty, The Clarity of Hindsight.” Her work has appeared in several major publications around the world, including The LA Times, The SF Examiner, The Asia Times, The Jerusalem Post, The Vancouver Courier, The Daily Journal and The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, among many, many others. She can be reached at Julie@VagabondLawyer.com