The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York

Rising 44 stories over Fifth Avenue at Central Park’s southeast corner, the 1920s-built Pierre stands as a timeless and legendary tribute to Neoclassical Georgian design -- a fitting prelude to the hotel’s ornately detailed interiors and exquisite old-fashioned service. Its elaborate chandelier clad ballrooms are a popular backdrop to high-end parties and weddings, and guests enjoy dinner and cocktails in the historic Rotunda (restored in 2016), where every inch of the curved walls and soaring ceiling are covered in trompe l’oeil paintings. 

A $100-million renovation in 2009 added a few Indian touches, like colorful silks in the guest rooms and Indian art in the marble lobby (the hotel is the US flagship of, Taj, the India-based luxury hotel group). The overall look and vibe is still opulent elegance -- not so much East meets West as it is old New York made new. And with an Upper East Side location on Central Park, and stratospherically-priced private residences that share staff and hotel amenities with hotel guests, it's the old New York that dominates here. Bellhops and elevator attendants wear white gloves and attend to guests with old-fashioned formality. It's not hard to imagine one of the building's famed residents getting in for the ride. Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood, Aristotle Onassis, Yves Saint Laurent, Cary Grant, and Katherine Hepburn have all called the Pierre home. 

The Pierre resides at the southeast end of Central Park, on the corner of East 61 Street and Fifth Avenue, with entrances on both sides. The hotel's close neighbors include Barneys New York, The Plaza hotel, and Bergdorf Goodman (all within four minutes on foot). The Metropolitan Club, one of the city's most exclusive private social clubs, is right next door. Other walkable highlights include Central Park Zoo (three minutes), MoMa (10 minutes), Carnegie Hall (12 minutes), Rockefeller Center (13 minutes), Radio City Music Hall (15 minutes), and legendary Fifth Avenue shopping, which commences about three blocks south of the hotel. Numerous subway lines are situated nearby. The N/R station on Fifth Avenue is on the same block as the hotel, and the F train at Lexington Avenue is three blocks away. Taxis are in abundance around the hotel virtually any time of day or night, and doormen are always on hand to hail them.

At about 350 square feet in size, the Pierre's standard rooms are spacious by New York City standards, and floor plans expand dramatically in suite categories which range from around 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. All categories exude Old World elegance, dressed in classic wallpapers, and sumptuous fabrics like silk and brocade (many imported from India) that add rich color accents to otherwise soft tones. Lavishly dressed beds come with pillow menus, cloud-soft duvets, and stately headboards. Should a guest find their mattress too hard or soft, hotel staff will gladly switch mattresses. Modern tech features include free Wi-Fi, 40-inch flat-screen HD TVs, DVD players, Bose Wave radios, and multi-media ports. Irons and ironing boards are available on request. 

The most simple room types are Superior King and Classic King with Interior views. Deluxe King and City View Rooms come with more inspiring Manhattan Views; and Park View Kings come with Central Park views. Then come the array of suite categories which consist of one- and two-bedroom layouts that resemble sprawling lavish Old World New York apartments. The higher the floor, the more expansive the space, the more stellar the view, and the heftier the price tag.

Bathrooms in lower categories can be small, but they're outfitted in Turkish marble and stocked with big fluffy bath towels, enormous Grohe rain showerheads, crystal drinking glasses, and Etro toiletries. Lower categories have showers only, while the pricier room types have bathtubs and are significantly larger in size. Plush bathrobes and slippers are provided in each category. Nightly turndown service is a luxe touch. 

Features are mostly top-notch and luxurious. Located at street level, French-American restaurant, Perrine, serves a seasonal menu with a farm-to-table focus, in a fine dining environment that’s popular with the Uptown crowd. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch on weekends. The Pierre also offers 24-hour room service. The sophisticated lobby bar, Two E, serves traditional afternoon tea with fresh scones and petit fours, then transforms into an evening cocktail lounge with a full bar, gourmet bites, and live jazz most nights. The historic Rotunda, formerly an event space, offers light evening fare, dinner, and tableside cocktail service. 

The hotel's 24-hour fitness center features fitness balls, free weights, and a good array of cardio machines such as treadmills, step machines, ellipticals, and stationary bikes. Free bottled water, fruit, towels, and newspapers are provided. While it contains everything required for a workout, some guests find the gym disappointing, as it's a bit dark and drab.  

Children are warmly welcomed at the Pierre. They’ll receive a free welcome gift such as a stuffed Pierre Penguin, along with age-appropriate amenities (like journals, sketchbooks, and games), so parents should let reception know their children's ages when booking. Adjoining rooms are available, and a cookies and milk turndown service are all part of the kid-friendly show.

Four-legged friends under 15 pounds are gladly received at the Pierre, where building residents have dogs of all sizes. There's no additional fee, and doggy welcome offerings include a bed, a chew toy, and bowls. Canine companions are even catered to with their own room service menus. The concierge can arrange dog-walking services. 

Around 10 luxurious meeting and event spaces cater to all manner of functions, and include the stunningly elegant 1500-capacity Grand Ballroom. The hotel also offers a business center and exceptional concierge services. Twenty-four-hour laundry and one-hour pressing services are available at an extra cost. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout.