What You — and Will and Kate — Can Expect When New York Base Camp Is The Carlyle Hotel
Here’s what you’ll see in the lobby at The Carlyle hotel this week, whether you’re in residence for 48 hours like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge or taking the shortcut from Madison Avenue to East 76th Street like I did last week.
Why did Britain’s First Family of Royals — or their minders — choose the Carlyle over the half dozen or so other Manhattan hotels that offer celebrated travelers a silky mix of privacy, security and splendor?
When you walk in
My guess is it scored high on the Goldilocks factors and got everything just right.
Built in 1930, The Carlyle is historic without being creaky, luxurious without being ostentatious and cooly nonchalant about its considerable creature comforts, like the Leger paintings in the lobby and the tray tables stashed in guest room closets for breakfast in bed.
Tasteful holiday spirit at the Carlyle
The Upper East Side is less frenzied than Midtown. And while no one would call the Carlyle hip, that hasn’t stopped fellow travelers like Roger Federer, the Beckhams and any number of world leaders — the place is crawling with private security when the UN General Assembly opens — from checking in.
Or to put it another way, it’s as close to Claridges as you can get in New York.
I spent a night at the Carlyle a while back, and while I didn’t have one of the suites that double as apartments like Will and Kate no doubt will — a few come with grand pianos — I got a taste of the place. It was yummy. Here’s my post.
Terry, years ago we saw Bobby Short at the Cafe Carlyle. What a great “saloon” venue. Bobby delivered the goods that night. But, boy was that expensive hour!!!
Thank God we saw Bobby before he passed in 05′(??). A warm memory on a cold night on the Upper East Side.
So glad you got to see Bobby Short on one of your New York visits, Dan. I did a story on his apartment — he was quite a collector — and got to spend an afternoon with him. A lovely man.
I fell in love with that Christmas tree, so white… 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us, Terry!
Isn’t that tree gorgeous? Thanks, Lily.
Leger in the lobby?! Now that I know that, I’ll go for tea and have a look.
Definitely a good reason to go there for tea. I love the Moroccan-glam decor in the tearoom. Good to hear from you, Roxandra.
The Goldilocks theory sounds reasonable to me. And I suspect the Claridge’s echo is spot on.