The Chatwal in New York City opened its arms to reveal an oasis of calm and sophistication in a chaotic world. And just in time to save us from ourselves. Our flight from Buffalo canceled at the crack of dawn, we’d just driven 8 hours through western New York to wearily cross the George Washington Bridge, drop off our rental car in Mid-City Manhattan, and fight through the thick Times Square crowd when a perfectly tailored doorman welcomed us into a lobby promising safe harbor and all the pampering we’d need to become human again.

Looking around, we were instantly charmed by the hotel’s sexy red-and-black color scheme, giving us a view of New York at its chicest, leading to the classically elegant martini bar of our dreams, just outside of the gorgeous Lamb’s Club restaurant, where pre-and-post theater dinners would soon be in full effect. We were squired at once to The Library Suite, a lush and urbane spread of lavish rooms fronting a massive collection of classic books in its den, Japanese toilets that may have been smarter than us, and a sumptuous bedroom overlooking the neighborhood and
arched windows of the neighbors. In minutes, we were transported into bliss, our muscles unwound by a highly technical rainforest shower before a large window overlooking the city.

Should a need arise, a call to the front desk would send someone to our aid with superhuman speed, one of many appreciated strengths of this property, expertly managed by the dapper, unshakeable Ashish Verma, a veteran whose calm professionalism and poise we’ve long admired in the industry.

Mornings were greeted by urns of coffee by the elevators, a perfect stop on our way down to the small, warm infinity saltwater pool and comprehensively stocked, quiet gym open 24-7. We turned our attentions towards the streets, bellmen Michael and Ali always there to lend a hand towards getting a cab or offering a helpful suggestion. We covered the avenues of our New York youth, stopping at Tiffany’s, where we had our first corporate job, and loafing for a few sublime hours at The University Club before catching up with old friends in their Upper East Side manses off Central Park.

After a brief stop for an obligatory beer at Jimmy’s Corner, one of
Manhattan’s last and greatest sports dive bars, we retreated back to our private heaven next-door at The Chatwal, clad impeccably in a Stanford-White Neo-Georgian building, for the martini of our fantasies. Not only was it just as we’d hoped for, served
arctic cold with a sidecar to refresh our cocktail in a lovely flute that matched the beauty of our surroundings, we also were touched to see the late pioneering mixologist Sasha Petraske’s Bee’s Knees on the menu in memoriam, and dutifully drank one. Soon, it was
time to gather our bags and head back to the West Coast, Ali once again going beyond the norm to see us safely off towards JFK in our yellow chariot.

Under Mr. Verma, The Chatwal remains the best place to stay for discerning travelers in Mid-City Manhattan, and has become even more perfectly tuned and flawless than ever. Every need anticipated. Every comfort conjured.

At The Chatwal, one can escape the stresses of pedestrian life in New York while still idling in its legendary style, floating comfortably above the chaos of the clatter and bang with a cold martini in one’s relaxed grip. We cannot recommend it enough. The Chatwal was voted #1 hotel in New York City in 2018 and again for 2022 and 2021, The Chatwal has an opportunity to be ranked the best in our city, three years in a row, via the esteemed Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Poll for 2023. Located at 130 West 44th Street, (212) 764-6200, https://www.thechatwalny.com.

PS: Out of total 76 keys, The Chatwal has 33 suites, 14 of which have terraces, and here are photos of four specialty suites: The Sanctuary Suite, The Zen Suite, The Chatwal Suite, and The Producer Suite.