In short… A 16-story, five-star hotel on the Upper East Side that feels surprisingly intimate, with décor that evokes a storybook version of old New York.
The surroundings… The Surrey is perched on East 76th and Madison, just a block from Central Park and within easy walking distance of some of the city’s best shopping (I was delighted to be just four blocks up from the Polo Mansion).
The backstory… The Surrey was built as a hotel in 1926 (and looks it, with its lovely Art Deco façade), and its original iteration hosted the likes of JFK and Bette Davis before closing in 2020. It re-opened under the same name in October 2024, under the management of Corinthia Hotels, which operates high-end properties throughout Europe.
The vibe… From the moment that its enormous lobby doors were opened by a uniformed doorman in a bowler hat, I was put in mind of those grand old New York hotels that feature in classic children’s books. The feeling was further enhanced by the pink-and-beige striped wallpaper of its hallways, self-serve candy jars in its gleaming marble lobby, and an eclectic—at times whimsical—art collection that covers everything from Alex Katz to a William De Kooning.
While not exactly a “small” hotel—it features 70 guest rooms, 30 suites and 14 private residences—it felt intimate by New York standards, with just two elevators. The cozy vibe seemed a little contagious—I found myself in conversation with total strangers in nearly every elevator ride. By night (we stayed on a Friday and a Saturday), the lobby is flooded with young, beautiful people waiting for their table to open up at Casa Tua, or jockeying for a place at its bar and lounge.
The rooms… We stayed in a deluxe suite overlooking Madison Avenue, which featured a spacious sitting room with a sofa, dining table and a small guest powder room of its own. Its bar (“minibar” just wouldn’t do it justice) was the size of an armoire, and opened into a full dry bar set-up with high-end spirits, bottled cocktails and even a carefully wrapped and refrigerated lime, should you wish to spring for a G&T (any of these would be welcome after a 3.5-hour train ride with a toddler).
The bedroom was glorious, with a plush, king-sized bed and a spacious bathroom that featured a soaking tub and waterfall shower. As an urban apartment dweller, I may have been most impressed with its wood-lined, walk-in closet with the sort of shapely wooden hangers I reserve for only my best suits back home. The bedroom’s curtains could be opened and closed with the touch of a button (a feature that fascinated our two-year-old) and effectively blacked out the city light at night.
The wellness… While I didn’t have the opportunity to experience it myself during a whirlwind trip, the property features a spa with a sauna, steam room and plant-based skin treatments by Sisley Paris, as well as a 24-hour fitness center with outdoor space for yoga and stretching.
The food & drink… The uber-sexy Miami Italian restaurant Casa Tua handles the hospitality, with a first-floor restaurant as well as a lounge that serves coffee during the day and transitions to an oonce-oonce bar scene by night. We did not dine in the restaurant, but partook in room service-breakfasts of yogurt parfaits made with a delicious homemade granola. My wife also gave a rave review of its children’s menu rigatoni Bolognese, which she ordered as a snack while our son slept, and I indulged in a late-night charcuterie spread that was heavy on the prosciutto and accompanied by super thin and crispy house-made bread.
The lounge, with its built-in shelves filled with artbooks and cozy café tables and couches, made an excellent meeting place for coffee with a colleague during the day, and then drinks by night with friends—though you may want to queue up early for a table.
The kid-friendly factor… Staff were incredibly accommodating of our son and furnished our suite with both a pack-and-play and a rather regal crib. Upon arrival, he was gifted a bright blue stuffed bird that became one of his companions for the weekend, and staff were quickly responsive when we had to request new crib sheets. And while not a kid-specific feature per se, the bedroom’s blackout curtains made for successful afternoon naps. We also made the most of its location, trekking to Central Park first thing in the morning to visit a playground and later the zoo.
Be sure to… Take advantage of the complimentary shoeshine!
Parting words… The Upper East Side feels freshly vibrant these days, and The Surrey proved an ideal home base to experience it, particularly while traveling as a family.
Dates of stay… October 17-19th, 2025
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