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New York City
Give me the backstory: Aman is known for its ultra-luxurious accommodations – and the luxe hospitality brand’s NYC residence is no exception. This is officially Manhattan’s highest-priced hotel and likely the neighbourhood’s most talked about opening of the decade. A 2022 makeover has seen the iconic Beaux-Arts Crown Building, over the road from the Bergdorf Goodman department store, deftly transformed into an urban retreat, offering upscale serenity at the heart of the concrete jungle.
Thoughts on the vibe: Secluded, hushed and affluent. Located between the seventh and 14th floors of the building, every detail has been matched to the property’s unique character, including exclusively commissioned artworks.
Let’s talk size: New York hotel decadence is measured in square footage and Aman NYC does not disappoint. From a double-height lobby atrium to a 7,000 sq ft garden terrace, this hushed eyrie is as expansive as it is opulent. Japanese minimalism-inspired suites are some of the largest in the city, ranging from 775 to 2,770 sq ft in size. Ceilings, throughout, hit 11 feet. The typical Aman palette of muted neutrals is used in all 83 suites and 22 private residences but untypical additions, such as fireplaces in each of the rooms, are a nod to the historic nature of the building. In bathrooms, you’ll find cocooning, egg-shaped bathtubs, and space-age Japanese loos. Note the deliberate lack of scented candles and diffusers – the brand would rather guests breathe in the natural aromas of fine fabrics and natural wood.
Eating and drinking: In a city plush with gastronomic choice, it takes a lot to stand out. The hotel’s two dining concepts marry Eastern and Western influences. Dinner-only, Washoku-inspired Nama promises a stylised omakase experience under the watchful eye of chef Takuma Yonemaru. Italian Arva is altogether more unfussy, relying on a menu of convivial and nostalgic dishes found in Aman properties the world over. There’s also a subterranean, velvet-roped jazz club. Aman dines out on its exclusivity and all hospitality is open to guests, and Aman club members, only.
Did you mention a spa? The three-floor, 25,000 sq ft spa redefines the phrase ‘urban sanctuary’, with a supped-up gym offering, a 65-foot-long pool, seven treatment rooms and handful of high-tech beauty treatments, including infrared detox saunas and cryotherapy. This being Aman, Eastern and Western wellness methodologies combine, with options for IV drips and acupuncture. Two spa houses – one inspired by Eastern European banyas, and the other Moroccan hammams – are available for use.