The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

If it’s not the most famous hotel in all of New York, it’s certainly the most famous hotel on the Upper East Side. The Carlyle Hotel is pure, undiluted essence of old-world Manhattan sophistication, and has been since the days when it was JFK’s “New York White House.” It’s played host to too many famous charachters to list; it’s said that Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, and Steve Jobs once shared an elevator here. When you’ve got that reputation for timeless elegance and faultless professionalism, you don’t worry about innovating — you can leave novelty to the downtown boutiques and focus on classic hospitality.

Many staffers have been here for decades, and the service is rightly regarded as some of the best anywhere. The rooms, though recently renovated, retain their Art Deco styling, some with an English accent and others with a more pronounced French inspiration. They’re extraordinarily comfortable at every level, and the suites scale truly dizzying heights.

Dowling’s at The Carlyle is the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, and Bemelmans Bar is the classic Art Deco cocktail bar; both are highly regarded fixtures on the local scene. And Café Carlyle might be the hotel’s most unique offering — this classic cabaret and supper club has played host to a lengthy list of notable musicians.