Hotel Review

New York City always delivers when it comes to luxury hotels, and The Lowell in the Upper East Side is no different. In the sea of modern tech-focused luxury boutique hotels, The Lowell is a breath of fresh air and pays homage to the quintessential white-glove luxury hotel of yesterday. There is an air of old world glamour that permeates throughout the property that I just love.

Nestled on a quiet street in Midtown, The Lowell is an oasis of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City. It reminds me of Holly Golightly’s take on Tiffany’s – the kind of place where it seems nothing bad can happen and where you can take a respite from the humdrum of daily life. The exquisite 1927 brick tower, solid but stylish, looks and feels like a smart East Side apartment building and often serves as a residential hotel for the well-heeled Europeans and Hollywood types who frequent it.

From the moment I stepped inside, The Lowell lived up to its name as a luxury boutique hotel in every sense. The lobby, without being grand, lends an air of grandeur and the service, without being pretentious, sets the standard for luxury accommodations in the city. The property is in the throes of a renovation and I can’t wait to visit again upon completion — I have no doubt that it will be even more glorious!

PROS

-Thank you for the welcome fruit basket, personalized note, and Urban Zen box.

-Both check-in and check-out were a breeze. I’m not a happy camper if I have to wait to check-in/check-out.

-Water is complimentary — can’t believe some hotels don’t get something as simple as this. I always appreciate small gestures like this as it signals to me that the hotel is focusing more on the experience instead of nickeling and diming the guest.

-Love that there is pre-arrival preference sheet that the hotel uses to customize your stay.

-The location is perfect — nestled in the very heart of Midtown, in close proximity to tons of shopping, restaurants, bars, parks, etc.

-Most times you have no idea what amenities and services are available, but it was great to have someone explain the range of amenities when I first arrived in my room.

-Loved the old-fashioned keys instead of the modern cards — a nice touch.

-A welcome drink upon arrival is always welcome!

-I appreciated that there was a comment card asking for feedback and suggestions at turndown service.

-There was optimal lighting for vanity purposes in the bathroom — much appreciated!

-The floors in the bathroom were heated — always love this and so perfect for fall and winter!

-The room was very spacious (by New York standards!) and comfortable, replete with a bookcase (and lots of wanderlust-fueled books) and a real wood-burning fireplace — so charming!

-The city views from the room were beautiful!

-The lovely curtains weren’t solely for show and managed to perfectly block out the morning sunlight, making it easier for me to sleep in — a MUST on vacation.

-The service was phenomenal — attentive, hospitable, and warm. From the front desk to the housekeeping staff to the concierge, the service was fabulous!

-Loved the understated palette of neutrals dotted throughout the property!

-The bedding was as luxurious as can be, with a surfeit of fluffy pillows.

-24-hour fitness services were available either on the property or at the nearby Equinox gym.

-There was a NORMAL hair dryer that was actually functional.

-The toiletries were made exclusively for the property by DDC28.

-WiFi is complimentary and works well — yes!

-Room service was very quick and efficient. I also love that it’s 24 hours.

-Lots of outlets near the bed — perfect for digital travelers.

-Loved that the bathtub was separate from the standing shower.

-While there’s no actual spa, I love that they offer customized treatments and services that can be carried out in-house, whether it’s getting your hair done or indulging in a facial/massage.

-They offer exclusive services such as the personalized Urban Zen shopping experience.

-Breakfast was included at the Pembroke Room.

CONS

-No social media activity before, during, or after my stay — this could have elevated the guest experience even more.

-There’s no house car for guest use, but I heard they’re working on it.

-Turn-down service was disappointingly ordinary for a hotel of this caliber. Given that it’s New York City, there’s a lot they can use to their advantage and a little extra something out of the ordinary would have been a great touch.

Duration: 1 night, October 13, 2015 

Bottom line: I absolutely loved my stay at The Lowell — my only gripe was that I didn’t spend enough time there! With impeccable service, an acute attention to details, and exquisite decor, The Lowell is one of my new favorite luxury hotels in New York City. Having stayed at more than twenty luxury hotels in the city, The Lowell fiercely rivals each one and emerges as one of the best. If you’re looking for a glimpse of the glory of luxury hotels from the past, you can’t go wrong with The Lowell. Highly recommended!

*Disclosure: I was a guest of the hotel, but views are my own and accurately reflect my stay. My room was a one-bedroom suite in 7B.

**My policy: there will always be full disclosure about whether my stay was hosted by the hotel or paid for with my own money. And even if the hotel decides to offer complimentary services, my review will never be swayed one way or the other. After all, if my experience was sub-par, and I continue to falsely rave about their services, no one will benefit–not me, not you, not the hotel (they’ll never improve!). So, trust that you’ll receive 100% truth in every review.