Anyone set to try new Baccarat NYC soon?
Mar 3, 2015, 1:15 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 458
PHNY has an identity crisis. They were - of course - aiming at the high end travelers and HNWIs, but with no view to speak of and lacking service, that's not going too well. Guests of Hyatt's loyalty program Gold Passport are disgruntled by the property's current policies regarding upgrades and overall treatment, because they're not the preferred clientele of the hotel at this stage. Add management problems and a PR disaster and you'll get the idea. I won't go into details as this is not the main focus of this thread, but read a few reviews in the Hyatt section if you're interested - it's revealing. I know Yabu Pushelberg is somewhat popular on this forum, but ever since I stayed in a suite at FS Toronto I really don't understand why any hospitality corporation would have them do the job. Hotels aren't fashion boutiques.
Apr 3, 2015, 12:21 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 458
We just booked for June. Looking forward to some TR from fellow FTers. Anyone have good recommendations for dinner in immediate area of the Baccarat. I have been recommended to try:
Modern across the street at the MOMA
Jean-georges nougatine
Benjamin steakhouse
Any other good maybe more casual tips in that area?
Thanks
Modern across the street at the MOMA
Jean-georges nougatine
Benjamin steakhouse
Any other good maybe more casual tips in that area?
Thanks
Apr 3, 2015, 2:26 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL, UA, AA
Posts: 48
I am also booked for three nights at the end of May. The website doesn't clearly explain the differences between the two room categories. An email to reservations was answered promptly, informing me that Grand Classic rooms are larger than Classic rooms, and that some/all (not clear) in the Classic category do NOT have bathtubs. Apparently all Grand Classic rooms do.
Apr 3, 2015, 8:19 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
We just booked for June. Looking forward to some TR from fellow FTers. Anyone have good recommendations for dinner in immediate area of the Baccarat. I have been recommended to try:
Modern across the street at the MOMA
Jean-georges nougatine
Benjamin steakhouse
Any other good maybe more casual tips in that area?
Thanks
Modern across the street at the MOMA
Jean-georges nougatine
Benjamin steakhouse
Any other good maybe more casual tips in that area?
Thanks
Benoit (Ducasse)
Pizzarte (for napoli style pizza)
La Bonne Soupe (cute little french bistro)
On West 52nd, closer to 5th, is Restaurant Soba Nippon for hand cut buckwheat soba noodles.
On East 47th, closer to 5th, on the second floor is Kuruma Sushi. Fantastic sushi, especially the fish flown in from Tuskiji. Fish aged perfectly so the flesh relaxes. Easier to get into than Sushi Yasuda.
Quality Meats is on West 56th, closer to 6th.
Apr 4, 2015, 7:50 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
We just booked for June. Looking forward to some TR from fellow FTers. Anyone have good recommendations for dinner in immediate area of the Baccarat. I have been recommended to try:
Modern across the street at the MOMA
Jean-georges nougatine
Benjamin steakhouse
Any other good maybe more casual tips in that area?
Thanks
Modern across the street at the MOMA
Jean-georges nougatine
Benjamin steakhouse
Any other good maybe more casual tips in that area?
Thanks
For dining, I'd scratch off Benjamin Steakhouse. It is not bad, but not the best you're going to do. For steakhouses, consider Quality Meats (as Luxury suggested), which is a modern interpretation of a proper NY steakhouse, Sparks on E46th (olde school NY steakhouse with an unusually reasonably priced wine list) or Del Frisco (6th around 50th) if you want close and are willing to accept a chain. Not to dissuade you from Quality Meats, but it is one of the many incarnations of the Stillman family...the founders of TGI Fridays! After they got out of the mass market game, they turned things up a bit with a higher end portfolio. QM is my favorite of their restaurants.
For other local-type places, take a walk on 56th between 5th and 6th. Lots of principally Asian hole-in-the-wall places...but I can say I bat about .900 on that street in terms of finding a good meal. It is one of the best streets for Asian cuisines in midtown. I am also a big fan of Topaz Thai, over on 56th between 6 and 7.
Apr 4, 2015, 7:55 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
May 21, 2015, 1:44 am
#26
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Atlanta and the Big Island, Hawaii
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG Gold. I share these affiliations so that you can ask me questions about the programs
Posts: 812
I was in town this past weekend and stopped in for a tour after visiting the MOMA.
The quality of the rooms is impressive. The style is distinctive and will not be to everyone's taste but for a getaway weekend its perfect. High French decor with modern touches. Much higher quality finish than the usual suspects, FS, MO, StR, Pen, except maybe the Lowell. Yes, they do have the crystal in the rooms to enjoy with the minibar liquor. Many of the rooms have lovely pieces with spot lights on them just before you enter the room.
The deluxe room we saw was of comfortable size but I wouldn't want their entry level room. Book one category up.
The second floor galleria reminded me of a small version of the George V gallery. Stunning roses. I was surprised to find it almost full late afternoon on a Saturday. They serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
Their main and formal restaurant, on the ground floor and accessible from the street, also reminded me of the le V, with huge gorgeous flower arrangements and the most professional staff.
They do have a guests and residents only lounge which was a bit odd and no one was using it.
On the bottom level they have a swimming pool with full comfortable loungers and a length perfect for laps. It's worth noting that these are the plush over the top comfortable loungers.
This is a welcome new addition to the NYC hotel scene and worthy of true consideration when visiting the city.
The quality of the rooms is impressive. The style is distinctive and will not be to everyone's taste but for a getaway weekend its perfect. High French decor with modern touches. Much higher quality finish than the usual suspects, FS, MO, StR, Pen, except maybe the Lowell. Yes, they do have the crystal in the rooms to enjoy with the minibar liquor. Many of the rooms have lovely pieces with spot lights on them just before you enter the room.
The deluxe room we saw was of comfortable size but I wouldn't want their entry level room. Book one category up.
The second floor galleria reminded me of a small version of the George V gallery. Stunning roses. I was surprised to find it almost full late afternoon on a Saturday. They serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
Their main and formal restaurant, on the ground floor and accessible from the street, also reminded me of the le V, with huge gorgeous flower arrangements and the most professional staff.
They do have a guests and residents only lounge which was a bit odd and no one was using it.
On the bottom level they have a swimming pool with full comfortable loungers and a length perfect for laps. It's worth noting that these are the plush over the top comfortable loungers.
This is a welcome new addition to the NYC hotel scene and worthy of true consideration when visiting the city.
May 22, 2015, 2:04 pm
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 458
I was in town this past weekend and stopped in for a tour after visiting the MOMA.
The quality of the rooms is impressive. The style is distinctive and will not be to everyone's taste but for a getaway weekend its perfect. High French decor with modern touches. Much higher quality finish than the usual suspects, FS, MO, StR, Pen, except maybe the Lowell. Yes, they do have the crystal in the rooms to enjoy with the minibar liquor. Many of the rooms have lovely pieces with spot lights on them just before you enter the room.
The deluxe room we saw was of comfortable size but I wouldn't want their entry level room. Book one category up.
The second floor galleria reminded me of a small version of the George V gallery. Stunning roses. I was surprised to find it almost full late afternoon on a Saturday. They serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
Their main and formal restaurant, on the ground floor and accessible from the street, also reminded me of the le V, with huge gorgeous flower arrangements and the most professional staff.
They do have a guests and residents only lounge which was a bit odd and no one was using it.
On the bottom level they have a swimming pool with full comfortable loungers and a length perfect for laps. It's worth noting that these are the plush over the top comfortable loungers.
This is a welcome new addition to the NYC hotel scene and worthy of true consideration when visiting the city.
The quality of the rooms is impressive. The style is distinctive and will not be to everyone's taste but for a getaway weekend its perfect. High French decor with modern touches. Much higher quality finish than the usual suspects, FS, MO, StR, Pen, except maybe the Lowell. Yes, they do have the crystal in the rooms to enjoy with the minibar liquor. Many of the rooms have lovely pieces with spot lights on them just before you enter the room.
The deluxe room we saw was of comfortable size but I wouldn't want their entry level room. Book one category up.
The second floor galleria reminded me of a small version of the George V gallery. Stunning roses. I was surprised to find it almost full late afternoon on a Saturday. They serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
Their main and formal restaurant, on the ground floor and accessible from the street, also reminded me of the le V, with huge gorgeous flower arrangements and the most professional staff.
They do have a guests and residents only lounge which was a bit odd and no one was using it.
On the bottom level they have a swimming pool with full comfortable loungers and a length perfect for laps. It's worth noting that these are the plush over the top comfortable loungers.
This is a welcome new addition to the NYC hotel scene and worthy of true consideration when visiting the city.
May 22, 2015, 2:14 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Atlanta and the Big Island, Hawaii
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG Gold. I share these affiliations so that you can ask me questions about the programs
Posts: 812
May 22, 2015, 5:29 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Atlanta and the Big Island, Hawaii
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG Gold. I share these affiliations so that you can ask me questions about the programs
Posts: 812
I'm curious to see if they can differentiate themselves, and leverage their connections to crystal, and succeed. I would have thought Paris would have been a good first location.
Part of their strategy is that they are going more formal, in a market where their competitors Four Seasons, RC, and St. Regis are dressing themselves and interacting with the guests in a less formal and moral familiar manner.