3 min read
When visiting a big city like New York, some travelers want to feel like they’re at the center of everything. Others want a hotel that feels intimate, personal, and homey—a retreat from the bustle rather than an extension of it. The Surrey delivers both. Set on one of the Upper East Side’s prettiest blocks, with Central Park and Museum Mile just steps away in one direction and world-class galleries and shopping in the other, guests couldn’t be better situated.
With just 70 rooms and 30 suites, the Surrey is boutique by design and that intimacy of scale is its greatest luxury. Service here feels like being looked after in a very well-run private home. Warm, attentive, and personal.
The accommodations, designed by Martin Brudnizki, capture the character of the neighborhood with their timeless elegance, thoughtful craftsmanship, and modern comfort. The interiors perfectly balance heritage with a distinctly chic, of-the-moment glamour.
Jonathan Maloney / Inga Beckmann for What The Fox Studio
The Surrey is set on one of Manhattan’s most gorgeous blocks, but the beauty doesn’t end at the door: the interiors are designed by Martin Brudnizki.
The Surrey Spa, done in partnership with Sisley Paris, continues the small but luxurious theme. With just two treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, and salt relaxation room, this retreat punches well above its modest footprint. Dining and cocktails belong to Casa Tua, the Miami restaurant’s first New York outpost after expansions to Aspen, Capri, and Paris. There is an all-day restaurant where you can get the famous truffle pasta and chicken salad, an adjoining lounge for cocktails, and a private members’ club where guests can enjoy a sexy night out without ever having to leave the hotel.
We asked Pradeep Raman, Regional Vice President and Managing Director of the Surrey, about the hotel’s best room and what makes its Upper East Side so special.
Jonathan Maloney for What The Fox Studio
The spacious living room of the Surrey Suite is the perfect spot to put your feet up after a long day of shopping and museums.
What do you consider to be the best room at the property and why?
The Surrey Suite, without question. It really is the fullest expression of what we set out to create at the Surrey. Martin Brudnizki designed the suite to feel like a beautiful Upper East Side residence, with a wonderful sense of warmth, character, and discovery throughout. The design takes inspiration from Central Park’s Bow Bridge, which you see reflected in the suite’s architectural details and graceful curves, while rich materials, layered furnishings, and an incredible collection of art give it the feeling of a home that has evolved over time. There are also unexpected details, including a concealed private study, that reveal themselves as you experience the space. It feels deeply connected to its surroundings, but still entirely its own distinct to the Surrey’s unique identity and the standard of luxury Corinthia is known for.
How much does it cost per night?
Rates for the Surrey Suite begin at $35,000 per night and vary by season.
Jonathan Maloney / Inga Beckmann for What The Fox Studio
Staying here? Enjoy intimate cocktails and conversation in the Casa Tua Lounge.
How would you describe the guests and vibe at the hotel?
We welcome a wonderful mix of international travelers and New Yorkers, and there is a real energy to the hotel that reflects the Upper East Side today. The Surrey is sophisticated and residential in feel, but it is also vibrant and deeply connected to the fashion, art, culture and creativity of the neighborhood. From Martin Brudnizki’s design and our art collection to Casa Tua and the Surrey Spa, we wanted to create a place that feels very much a part of the neighborhood.
What feeling about New York City do you hope to impart to guests?
We want the Surrey to have a residential feel and charm, creating a place where guests feel an immediate sense of comfort and connection. Every element, from the highly personalized service and bespoke design to our cultural programming, has been thoughtfully brought together to create an intersection of refined luxury and lifestyle that extends well beyond a traditional hotel stay. Our ambition is for the Surrey to be a true pillar of the community, a place that guests and New Yorkers alike return to again and again.
Jonathan Maloney / Inga Beckmann for What The Fox Studio
Guests at the Surrey can recharge in the Sisley Spa sauna.
What’s a local attraction that you always recommend?
Central Park. It is just a short walk from our door, and is the perfect place to simply stroll and take in the surroundings. I particularly love walking through the park toward the Met, taking in Bow Bridge along the way, which also happens to have inspired some of the design details within the Surrey Suite. It is one of those quintessential New York experiences that I recommend whether someone is visiting the city for the first time or has lived here for years.
Special Projects Editor William Li is the founder of art consultancy Armature Projects and the Emmy-nominated co-host of Lucky Chow, a series about Asian food and culture on PBS.