Aman New York sets a new standard for hotel luxury.

Few hotel openings have rivaled the anticipation that accompanied the debut of Aman New York, which recently opened its doors to guests in Midtown’s iconic Crown Building—a jewel in Brookfield Properties’ Iconic Collection of properties. From its three-story spa to its expansive outdoor terrace and more than 200 fireplaces—including one in each suite, a first for a New York hotel—the Aman has undeniably raised the bar for luxury Manhattan accommodations. Offering 83 suites and 22 branded residences, the Aman has instantly gained status as the city’s most sought-after hotspot, enhanced by the idea that only registered guests are able to experience the hotel for the immediate future. 

Such a mandate, of course, ensures that the Aman is exclusively experienced by those eager to reserve accommodations starting at $3,200 per night. That rate sets a new standard among luxury hotels in Midtown, which is no small statement, with the Aman surrounded by legendary locales including The Peninsula, The St. Regis, and The Plaza, each possessing its own highly burnished patina of opulence, luxury, and history within the neighborhood known as Billionaires’ Row. Where the Aman truly sets itself apart, however, is not only in its unabashed abundance of features and amenities, but particularly in its overall ambiance—the overt tone of an urban oasis, a lush tranquility positioned at the corner of 57^th Street and Fifth Avenue. 

The collection of 34 Aman hotels, resorts, and residence developments around the globe got its start with a resort that also exudes equal parts sophistication and serenity. Amanpuri, which translates from the Sanskrit word for “place of peace,” opened its doors in 1988 on a beach in Phuket, Thailand, and from that first day strived to seamlessly blend elegance with an undeniable stillness, the notion that all cares should be left behind the moment you’ve entered the exquisitely appointed lobby. 

Almost 35 years later, that inspiration has not only extended into each subsequent resort, but this latest hotel in New York City has also unquestionably heightened the heart of the brand’s mission—designing spaces and details meant to transport a guest beyond any notion they’re staying within one of the world’s most raucous cities. Vlad Doronin, chairman and CEO of Aman, notes that this concept comes on the successful heels of the award-winning Aman Tokyo, adding that with this latest opening, “our strategy to bring the coveted Aman lifestyle to urban destinations continues apace.” 

Indeed, that coveted sense of transformation occurs the moment you enter the Aman’s 14^th-floor lobby, where a double-height atrium assists with setting the hushed tone that’s highly desired. Belgian architect Jean-Michel Gathy, of the Malaysia-based firm Denniston, is the visionary behind the look and layout of the Aman New York, conceptualizing a splendor that’s never overt, even as spaces like the lobby and its surrounding amenities encourage socializing. A pair of restaurants—the Italian-themed Arva and Nama, a Japanese space that includes omakase dining at a custom bar crafted of Hinoki wood—and the hotel’s Wine Library each lead to an outdoor space that totals roughly 7,000 square feet, where reflective pools and firepits provide dramatic accents around seating areas, while a retracting glass roof ensures the space will be as welcome in December as it is in June. 

Each of the Aman’s 83 suites is likewise considered, from the inclusion of a gas fireplace in each and the opulence of the bathrooms, resplendent with oval soaking tubs and marble rain showers, to the customized window treatments to ensure soundproofing against the endless parade of Fifth Avenue traffic. Every suite also showcases a large-scale mural, printed on rice paper and spanning walls as a focal point, by contemporary Japanese artist Ryoko Adachi. Inspired by the 15th-century masterpiece “Pine Trees” (Shōrin-zu byōbu) by Hasegawa Tōhaku, the mural honors one of Japan’s most celebrated works while also imbuing each space in which it resides with an undeniable sense of calm. 

Beyond the most intimate accommodations, which measure a generous 745 square feet, the Aman’s various room configurations include 11 Grand Suites on The Crown Building’s 11^th and 12^th floors, which offer adjacencies to create expansive, family-sized spaces. A pair of Aman Suites, meanwhile, feature separate living and dining rooms, the latter accommodating up to six people, as well as kitchenettes and walk-in wardrobes.

Not far from the Grand Suites, guests have quickly discovered the flagship Aman Spa, an experience spread over three floors and 24,800 square feet, complete with a 65-foot indoor pool flanked by firepits and daybeds, as well as two reserved spaces dubbed “Spa Houses,” which can be reserved for full- or half-day use and include double treatment rooms and private outdoor terraces with hot and cold plunge pools. 

Capping this singular experience is the structure that houses the Aman, the 26-story Crown Building, considered one of New York City’s most dazzling and storied examples of architecture. The 1921 limestone tower was designed by Warren & Wetmore, the architects behind Grand Central Station and the Helmsley Building. Concurrent with Aman’s construction, the Crown’s façade has enjoyed a spectacular restoration that extends to its gilded ornamentation and its verdigris roof. On the ground level, Bulgari and Mikimoto are among the high-wattage brands that have likewise spruced up their spaces, while Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Tiffany & Co. rank high among the A-list labels located directly across Fifth Avenue. 

It’s a combination that’s sure to set the gold standard for Manhattan luxury experiences for the foreseeable future. Adds Doronin, “A milestone opening, Aman New York marks our greatest destination to date. The hotel introduces an entirely new concept to the city through expansive and unmatched amenities, which propels the brand forward, delivering a guest experience like no other.”

Aman is located at The Crown Building 730 Fifth Avenue New York, NY

Photos courtesy of AMAN New York

Words by Laurie Brookins