The Carlyle: A Hotel Steeped In Tradition

Located at 76th Street and Madison Avenue in New York City, the classic Carlyle Hotel is close to the Metropolitan and Whitney museums, Central Park, and a bevy of upscale Madison and Park Avenue boutiques and restaurants.

The Carlyle exudes elegance with its quiet location on the Upper East Side, 75-year history of presidential and celebrity clientele, white-gloved elevator operators, and lobby furniture fit for Louis XIV.  The 187 guest rooms, including 59 suites, are spacious and airy, ranging from 350 to 2,600 square feet.  They house English antique furniture, Italian linens on big, comfortable beds, and huge closets and dressers.  Marble bathrooms offer an extensive array of Kiehl's toiletries, and some even have whirlpool Jacuzzis, antique vanities and fixtures, and fresh orchids.  

The Carlyle Restaurant is grand, with sophisticated décor including a huge fresh central floral arrangement, plush cozy banquettes, crystal chandeliers, mirrored alcoves, and a tuxedo-clad waitstaff.  The menu is French-American; highlights include cured foie gras torchon, chicken-fried duck confit, scallops with butternut squash, Maine whole lobster, Dover sole, grilled ribeye with bone marrow granola, rack of lamb, and venison.

Two tasting menus are available: the larger chef's tasting menu with seven courses for $185 and the smaller Carlyle tasting menu with four courses for $110. Two extravagant caviar options include Caspian Sea classic osetra at $198 per ounce and Caspian Sea golden osetra at $228 per ounce.  Desserts include impressive raspberry, Grand Marnier, and chocolate soufflés, a chocolate mousse tower, crème brûlée, panna cotta, and a selection of sorbets and ice creams.

The intimate Café Carlyle offers a smaller menu, including old-school supper club dishes such as steak tartar, jumbo shrimp cocktail, beef tenderloin, and a crab Louie salad. Guests can enjoy classic cabaret dinner performances by talents including Woody Allen, Steve Tyrell, Judy Collins, and Alan Cumming. The café setting is highlighted by murals featuring musicians by artist Marcel Vertès.

The hotel also houses Sense Spa, a mosaic-tiled spa offering facials, massages, and body treatments. Adjacent to the spa is a hair salon and small gym.