The New York EDITION

Long departed from the hotel group that once went by his name, Ian Schrager has moved on to a relationship with Marriott International — a partnership whose fruits, the Edition hotels, are a little more upscale than the earlier Schrager offerings, and a lot more stylish than the typical Marriott fare. And the latest addition to the Edition family is something of a homecoming, opening on Madison Square Park, in the old Metropolitan Life Tower, otherwise known as That Great Big Clock Tower in the Flatiron District.

If you know Schrager by his earlier work you’ll be surprised to see a relatively sober, subdued look on display. In fact it’s something of an Edition trademark, and it’s perfectly suited to the New York Edition’s century-old backdrop. The public spaces radiate prewar prestige, and the rooms feel serious, substantial, with subtly modern furnishings providing the contrasting note to the classic lines and materials.

The character is in the details — a little color goes a long way. And it’s in the public spaces, which is no surprise in a Schrager production. Here the Clocktower restaurant, under the firm hand of the British chef Jason Atherton, is the marquee event. The vibe here is strangely timeless, as it is throughout the hotel — at turns retro and modern, there’s no question it’s a singular experience.