New York, New YorkMidtown East
The Towers at Lotte New York Palace
Gilded mansion tower
Midtown East New York, New York
Renovated
2013
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Heritage Design LuxeOutside the door
The house
Lotte Hotels & ResortsGilded mansion tower
The property occupies the tower's top fourteen floors, giving guests quiet skyline perches above the gilded salons of the Villard Houses.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Preserved 1882 Villard Houses brownstones frame the central courtyard and public salons.
Notable
Multi-level suites feature grand reception foyers and private rooftop garden terraces overlooking the skyline.
Notable
Private elevator banks whisk guests up to dedicated concierges and penthouse butler service.
What they say
Forbes Recommended
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
Enter at the private 50th Street lobby, waltz into the dedicated concierge area, then head right up to your calm room and take in a fantastic view of the city.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
St. Patrick's Cathedral stands directly across the street, and the plazas of Rockefeller Center are two blocks west.
The rooms
Windows look out over St. Patrick's Cathedral, and bathrooms have deep soaking tubs clad in gray-veined marble.
The spa
Treatment rooms look straight onto the cathedral spires. Therapies incorporate cellular sound healing and organic ila skincare.
Villard Restaurant
Breakfast is served under carved woodwork and painted murals, with brioche pudding French toast and morning cocktails.
At the table
Trouble's Trust sits beneath the grand lobby staircase, shaking craft cocktails named in tribute to Leona Helmsley's pampered terrier.
How it began
Railroad tycoon Henry Villard built the brownstones in 1882, and developer Harry Helmsley preserved them when erecting the tower in 1980.
New York
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.