The Lowell Hotel
Hotel · Upper East Side ·
Refined rooms with marble baths, fireplaces, and 24/7 room service
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_O.jpg "The Lowell Hotel by null")
Refined rooms with marble baths, fireplaces, and 24/7 room service
"In an era when what’s newest and fastest often gets the spotlight, The Lowell, quietly holding court on a leafy block on New York City’s Upper East Side since the 1920s, remains a bastion of class and elegance. Sometimes you may need to wait a few minutes for one of the two elevators that service the hotel’s 74 rooms and suites, all reimagined by Michael S. Smith, the designer behind the White House updates during Obama’s presidency. But that’s okay; while you wait, you can quite literally stop and smell the flowers—gorgeous fresh bouquets are placed throughout the hotel. There are real room keys and actual light switches to flick, analog vestiges from simpler days that ironically make things easier than the latest innovations. There are dozens of lovely, throwback touches, such as the Club Room, a sophisticated convivial space off the lobby and adjacent to the hotel’s French restaurant, Majorelle, with oak parquet floors, a fireplace, and a small bar, for the exclusive use of hotel guests and their companions until 5 p.m., when the public can join. And while this neighborhood might never be the most avant-garde sweep of Manhattan, it isn’t totally caught in amber. Previously downtown brands (Foundrae, Khaite, Ulla Johnson, Toteme) have opened outposts on nearby Madison Avenue, and the Frick Collection, a few blocks to the north, recently revealed a massive renovation. It seems like the storied Upper East may just be entering another Gilded Age." - Jessica Sulima
"I recommend The Lowell as another high-end hotel option conveniently located near Central Park, ideal for a classic UES stay." - Hannah Towey
"On the Upper East Side, a block from Central Park, I recommend this under‑the‑radar refuge to repeat and VIP guests who value privacy and a homey atmosphere cultivated by staff who’ve been here for decades. Working fireplaces in the rooms, a club room for guests, a cocktail lounge, a restaurant, and a gorgeous garden set the tone, while families can book rooms near one another for longer stays or visits with friends and relatives in the area. Think Carlyle vibes on a more intimate scale." - Mitchell Friedman
"Tucked away on a quiet Upper East Side street, this nearly century‑old, family‑owned sanctuary mirrors the charm and elegance of its neighboring townhouses while delivering privacy, warmth, and deeply personalized service—qualities that have drawn high‑profile guests, including former President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama. Interior designer Michael S. Smith reimagined the property with a sense of soothing luxury—elegant and not over the top—while wood‑burning fireplaces elevate the homey atmosphere, a heartwarming rarity in New York. Comfort takes precedence over capacity: suites far outnumber standard rooms and many offer terraces, kitchens, and thoughtful details that make stays feel more like a private residence. Steps from Central Park and the city’s most exclusive shopping, and surrounded by MICHELIN‑recognized dining from Daniel Boulud and Jean‑Georges Vongerichten, it’s as much a gastronomic getaway as it is a discreet retreat. With nearly a century of history—once frequented by Dorothy Parker—the hotel preserves an intimate, familial charm that big chains can’t replicate, securing its standing as a One MICHELIN Key Manhattan mainstay." - Michael He
"Discreetly tucked away on the Upper East Side, this family-run, independently owned gem has drawn celebrity clientele since the 1920s (think Stella McCartney, Pamela Anderson, and Ali MacGraw). With just 74 rooms and suites—many boasting wood-burning fireplaces and private terraces—it delivers privacy, tradition, and refined luxury, all within a five-minute drive of The Met." - Nicole Kliest, Christina Liao