The large black awning nearly extending to the edge of the Park Avenue sidewalk between 61st and 62nd Streets feels very Upper East Side, and that tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the Loews Regency New York.
Guests swan into the lobby an air of confidence distinctive to this side of Central Park. The high ceilings are grand, but stacks of New York’s two major print newspapers hint at this hotels’ popularity among business travelers. However, the location, with Bloomingdales to the east and Central Park to the west, make this an ideal base from which to explore the Upper East Side’s famous high-end shopping, all with the comfort of a luxe and spacious room to rejuvenate you afterwards.
Why stay at the Loews Regency New York?
Here, you’ll have the five-star experience in a charming older hotel, which has been hosting guests since it opened way back in 1963. While it’s recently been renovated, the old-timey details bleed through: hallways of all 21 floors are adorned with framed black and white photos of old New York, and strolling along them does evoke the sense that you’ve slipped back into a different era.
As for the contemporary touches, those are most present in the facilities, such as the Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa or the adjacent Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar, which serves desserts you've probably never heard of but need to try.
What are the rooms like at the Loews Regency New York?
The smallest rooms are the 250-square-foot Superior King, while the larger suites are on the higher floors and go up to an enormous 1,400 square feet. All of the 379 rooms are pet-friendly, and some have terraces and balconies, and the most unique feature is the television screen in the bathroom mirror, which allows you to watch local TV from the comfort of your bathtub.
Each room is stacked with dozens of books, and if you’ve got time to kill in your room, it’s a nice incentive to kick back with one for a little time away from a small screen. Nespresso machines come in the more luxurious rooms, but no matter where you’re staying, don’t be afraid to request one from the front desk.
What is the food like at the Loews Regency New York?
While not strictly a steakhouse, the lobby-level Regency Bar & Grill is the hotel’s main restaurant, and that’s the best way to sum it up. The white tablecloths, servers wearing button-down shirts under jackets, and business clientele that frequent the restaurant are an exciting little reminder that you’re dining in a true five-star establishment (though the vibe here is a little more casual on the weekends). You can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner here with no gaps in service from 7 AM to 10 PM. Oh, and there's a hearty brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays.
For appetizers, you’ll see lots of people ordering the yuzu-infused tuna tartare, which are delicious scooped up with some of the taro chips, but personally, I’d go for the veal meatballs – they’re supple, perfectly pink in the middle, and just enough to wet your appetite for what’s the come.
As for the main courses, don’t let the steakhouse vibe lure you into sampling one of the three cuts on the menu. Instead, sample the pan-seared branzino, which arrives crispy next to a zingy citrus and fennel salad, and makes for a light but surprisingly satisfying plate.
Room for more? If you’re eating early, skip the desserts here and instead nip across to Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar for some more unusual, creative options. The principessa is tasty, with a dense outer layer of marzipan complimenting the sharp lemon sponge cake.
What’s the service like at the Loews Regency New York?
This is a classic five-star hotel, and it’s matched by what can only really be described as proper, stonking, high-end service. You’ll quickly get the sense that other guests here are used to this kind of treatment, but no matter your request, large or small, you’ll be greeted with efficiency and a cordial but professional attitude.
What are the pools and facilities like at the Loews Regency New York?
While there’s no pool at the Loews Regency New York, the Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa feels super exclusive. In need of a refreshing glow-up? They’ve got the works: you can get your hair, makeup, and nails done here and also book in for a massage. Combine that with a well-equipped gym and access to steam rooms and saunas, and there’s a long list of facilities you won’t need to leave the building for.
Oh, and while there's no pickleball court at the hotel itself, you can get complimentary paddles and balls at the front desk to take to Central Park's CityPickle or any of the other nearby courts.
What’s the area like around the Loews Regency New York?
Does it get more prim and proper than the Upper East Side? Arguably not, and with a well-manicured greenway, overflowing with flowers, dividing the north and southbound traffic lanes along this stretch of Park Avenue, the Loews Regency is located in one of the classiest spots in New York.
You’ll find high-end shopping on the ground level of soaring buildings, from bougie chocolatiers like Läderach and the French patisserie known for its bite-sized macarons, Ladurée, to swish department stores like Bergdorf Goodman and boutiques like Fivestory.
Eight different subway lines stop along nearby Lexington Ave, so you absolutely do not need a car (although valet parking is available). Sure, this is a pricey area that will make you wonder who could ever afford to live there, but why not soak it all in? For the cost of a subway ride, you can walk over to Tramway Plaza at 2nd Avenue and go for a ride up over the East River on the Roosevelt Island Tram and take the F train back.
Why you should book a stay at the Loews Regency New York
This is your chance to feel like a temporary Upper East Side big shot with easy access to some of the bougiest retail in New York, as well as top-tier connections to wherever else you might want to explore. It’s luxurious, but it’s worth the price.
DETAILS
Address: 540 Park Ave, New York, NY
Price per night: Superior King rooms from $459; Park Avenue Two-Bedroom Suite from $2,400
Closest transport: LaGuardia Airport is a 25-minute drive
Book now: via Booking.com
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