A Look Inside the New Baccarat Hotel in New York

The 250 year-old Baccarat crystal brand has opened its flagship and first hotel, Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York.

I had the pleasure of visiting for drinks on a dreary and rainy night in the city. Upon approaching the building, which was veiled in a corrugated crystal-like-curtain, both inviting and opulent, I knew this was going to be a special place. Inside the lobby, guests will be mesmerized by a 20-by-25-foot wall adorned with more than 2,000 of Baccarat’s most iconic glasses, the Harcourt lit by LED light to create a glow that encourages you to leave the hustle of the city behind. Paris-based interior design firm Giles & Boissier seamlessly combined Bacarrat’s heritage (a classical French vibe) with a fanciful modern sensibility. A perfect marriage of luxury and comfort without feeling overly formal.

I arrived early only to discover there was no space at the Grand Salon, located on the second floor. In true, NY fashion, they do not take reservations. And well-heeled patrons flock here. We were instructed by the hostess to wait for a table at The Bar at Baccarat, an adjacent space featuring barrel-vaulted ceilings, inspired by the stables of Versailles. My companions and I were seeking a more intimate gathering prior to the MoMA benefit, Party in the Garden, taking place across the street. The Baccarat Hotel & Residence overlooks the museum. So, the location suited us immensely.

Shortly after everyone arrived, we were seated at the Grand Salon on a long sofa and a coffee table adorned with Assouline books. Our group of four women were tickled to be seated with a slew of Dior books and quite a lovely scene. The waitress was bejeweled with beautiful red Baccarat crystal earrings. Added bonus, we were enchanted by the large spherical arrangement of lilac roses, fragrant and alluring.

As hoped, the cocktails are served in mixed-and-matched Baccarat crystal stemware. This alone, makes every cocktail feel like a special celebration—after all, it was Tuesday! I would be remiss not to mention the grandeur and beauty of the custom made chandeliers, 17 to be exact that light up every room. The lighting enhances the atmosphere to the level of a true majestic haven while also feeling relevant in an urban place.

The hotel has 114 guest rooms and suites that feel more like a private pied-à-terre with floor-to-celling windows, linens by Mascioni, and tablets with state-of-the-art technology to control all aspects of the room. And, of course, on the telephone handset, a button marked “Champagne” will allow guests to order a bottle of their favorite vintage to their rooms accompanied by signature Baccarat fluted glasses—completely swoon worthy. It’s obvious they have thought of everything.

If I ever need to be a guest in NYC, staying here would be at the top of my list. After all a girl can dream of having access to the use of a vintage Citroen. Next, I need to add learning to drive stick shift to my list of life skills.

Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York, 28 W 53rd St, New York, NY. Tel: (212) 790-8800. Rooms from $995 per night.

Valerie O’Halloran is the France Today Ambassador for New York