If the walls at Aman New York could talk, they’d whisper.

New York City is defined by a palpable energy coursing through its frenzied streets, creativity teeming from its countless buzzing restaurants, and ingenuity on display in performance arts venues sprinkled across all five boroughs. But to some, the currency most valuable in this city is exclusivity; the trend towards gatekeeping sought-after spots with a membership model is only gaining momentum.

One of the pillars of the brand is that nothing is a “no.” With an average staff-to-guest ratio of five to one, the Aman ethos empowers each team member to find creative ways to surprise and delight guests.

As one of the most talked about hotel openings in Manhattan in recent memory, Aman New York is a hotel-meets-members-club that positioned itself in another echelon altogether from the moment it announced that its spaces would be exclusively open to hotel guests and Aman Club Founders. But rest assured, the intuitive service from which the brand built its cult following has not only been upheld in its New York unveiling but perhaps, elevated the bar even further. One of the pillars of the brand is that nothing is a “no.” With an average staff-to-guest ratio of five to one, the Aman ethos empowers each team member to find creative ways to surprise and delight guests. Interestingly, in the months since opening, the New York outpost is finding that the majority of check-ins are actually first-time Aman guests; they’re strategically using this first touch point with the brand as an opportunity to demonstrate the organization’s shared belief in offering experiences rooted in peace, seclusion, and an appreciation of beauty.

Location, Location, Location

On the opposite end of the spectrum of guest loyalty, “Aman junkies” are comprised of travelers who aim to visit the brand’s thirty-four and counting properties spread across twenty countries. Aman junkies will rejoice that tranquility has been achieved in Aman’s second urban sanctuary, nearly a decade after opening Aman Tokyo in 2014. The historic Crown Building anchors 57th Street and Fifth Avenue with a storied past dating back to its construction in 1921. Since, it has served as the home to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Dior offices, and even Playboy Magazine through the early aughts. The transformation of the upper twenty floors of the building into a luxury hotel began with its purchase by Aman Resorts in partnership with a luxury real estate developer in 2015.

Seven years after the acquisition of some of the world’s most valuable real estate, and a reported $1.45 billion dollars later, Aman New York opened in August 2022. Upon arrival at the 57th Street entrance, guests and members are greeted with a knowing nod–or, when booked by your SmartFlyer travel advisor, a personalized welcome from the hotel’s management team. Expect to be ushered to the elevator bank where you’ll get off on the 14th floor to be met by an East meets West design intrinsic to the Asian-inspired brand. Belgian designer Jean-Michel Gathy has been with Aman since the brand’s inception in Thailand in 1988, and while his latest work in New York is distinct from his touch on the lavish Aman Venice or tranquil Amanwana in Indonesia, his approach continues to convey a generosity of space.

Design

With the chaos of the city slipping from your mind the moment you settle into the hotel, Aman New York truly is an ideal setting to conduct both business and pleasure.

Mirrored ceilings and handmade Balinese panels give the already impressive Lounge Bar– buffering the check-in desk, dining outlets, and outdoor space–the illusion of feeling even more sweeping, yet still, impressively cozy. No detail in design was overlooked to optimize guest and member privacy. One of our favorite features is the Garden Terrace’s awning which was inspired by the Marrakesh property, Amanjena; there is a metal grate shielding the New York terrace that serves as an optical illusion–like a burka, you can see out, but not in. The clever design allows guests to peer out onto landmarks like the LVMH building, but remain in utter privacy. Much in alignment with Mr. Gathy’s vision to create spaces where discreet meetings could be held, during our time on property, we noted several business meetings happening over hushed meals, coffees, and cocktails. With the chaos of the city slipping from your mind the moment you settle into the hotel, Aman New York truly is an ideal setting to conduct both business and pleasure. Subtle nods to nature are honored through ikebana–the Japanese art of arranging flowers, blossoms, branches, leaves, and stems. Kenji Takenaka is the property’s Ikebana Specialist and serendipitously, cousin to Aman Kyoto’s specialist.

Dining

Aman New York guests and Aman Club Founders are privy to dining at one of four outlets on the property. Those familiar with the brand are undoubtedly fans of Nama, a Japanese fine-dining concept. Omakase at Nama is offered during two seatings, one at five-thirty in the evening and the final at eight-thirty. The multi-course menu chosen by Chef Takuma Yonemaru is based on fresh ingredients sourced directly in Japan; we recommend working with your SmartFlyer advisor to snag seats at the counter so you can observe the theatre and inherent art laden in your food’s preparation. For those who prefer Italian fare, Arva celebrates the warmth and conviviality of traditional family dining helmed by the Aman Venice chef, Dario Ossola. The Garden Terrace or Lounge Bar is also available to guests and members for more informal options. Alternatively, if you are hosting an event, there is a private dining room that can seat up to thirty guests.

The first of its kind for Aman and a quintessentially New York concept, this speakeasy is accessible to outside guests during its two nightly performances…

But no matter where you dine, the ultimate night at Aman New York ends underground at The Jazz Club. The first of its kind for Aman and a quintessentially New York concept, this speakeasy is accessible to outside guests during its two nightly performances, the first beginning at six and the second around nine o’clock. From eleven onwards, prepare to be delighted by the DJ playing living room-style sets. We adore this venue for its unexpected electricity led by Creative Director Brian Newman, who has worked in the New York jazz club scene for over two decades. Cocktails here are inspired by other Aman hotels you know and love to ensure Aman junkies get that familiar taste of whichever property they consider their home away from home. And, don’t miss the grilled cheese with shaved truffles as a late-night bite. Ready to be serenaded by the same sound system being used by Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room? You can reserve your table for The Jazz Club here.

Suites

Even more impressive, accommodations begin at 775 square feet, making the spacious suites–each remarkably boasting its own fireplace–the largest in the city.

After a long night out, we can think of few things that would beat retreating upstairs to your oversized king custom-made Aman bed. While Aman New York opened to countless clickbait-style headlines about its record-setting entry-level rates, those don’t interest us nearly as much as the caliber of the product found across this all-suite property. With eighty-three keys, the hotel has approximately double the number of suites of an average Aman (their properties typically hover around thirty), but, considerably less than most other five-star hotels within a stone’s throw of its Central Park adjacent location. Even more impressive, accommodations begin at 775 square feet, making the spacious suites–each remarkably boasting its own fireplace–the largest in the city.

Harmonious design is omnipresent in the carefully-crafted suites, right down to custom panels that allow you to create additional privacy between your living and sleeping zones. Take an extra look at the art on the walls, particularly if you’re a fan of Amangiri. The installations in the Corner Suites were created by Ulrike Arnold, a German artist known for her unique technique of using dirt, mud, wind, rain, and rock to craft one-of-a-kind pieces that imbue tranquility. Other notable touches include the leather-lined drawers in the ample closets and a variety of textures found pepper across the walls in the form of Japanese-inspired rice paper murals. Both furniture and the tub are set low to the floor to ensure optimal ease and groundedness. But for those seeking true alignment with your own inner peace, you’ll need to take an elevator ride to the eleventh floor.

Spa

For those seeking a more holistic and guided experience, Aman New York is working with outside practitioners and healers to plan custom three and five-day immersion programs.

Spread across three entire floors, the 25,000-square-foot spa and wellness area mark the new flagship spa for Aman in the Western Hemisphere. The impressive facility showcases the brand’s commitment to wellness, particularly with its offering of medicinal treatments proctored by integrated medicine doctors. For those seeking a more holistic and guided experience, Aman New York is working with visiting practitioners and healers to plan custom three and five-day immersion programs. Their most recent one saw them working with Bon Buddhist master and scholar Geshe Lam, who focused on breathwork and a journey to inner peace. Interested in your own wellness journey? Chat with your SmartFlyer travel advisor to get on the waitlist for upcoming programming.

If your idea of wellness is rooted in privacy, look no further than the urban sanctuary’s two spa houses. The Hammam Spa House combines the invigoration of the marble-clad steam room with the traditional elements of the Aman New York spa experience. A sample itinerary of a half-day here would include breakfast, one hammam steam room treatment, refreshments, a cold plunge, a full body massage, a hot bath, and healthy lunch. For an experience more rooted in Eastern European tradition, book the Banya Spa House to set foot in its wood-clad sauna where birch leaves are used to manipulate the heat to massage, stimulate and exfoliate the skin. Both spaces offer private terraces and of course, access to all spa facilities, including the fireplace-lined pool.

Neighborhood

In all honesty, when we set out to write about this piece, it was aimed to position the hotel within the ecosystem of a neighborhood undergoing revitalization. But once we set foot inside Aman New York, it became evident that the hotel is so much more than…a hotel; it is an entire world within itself. If you can manage to peel yourself away from this oasis, though, many points of interest do lie within a short walk of the property. Tishman Speyer’s overhaul of Rockefeller Center has seen new spots like Lodi, Le Rock, Jupiter, and Pebble Bar. For a more classic fare closer to the hotel, consider The Polo Bar or Monkey Bar. But no matter where you choose, make sure you’re partnering with a SmartFlyer travel advisor to maximize your access to vetted recommendations and high-touch service for every aspect of your New York City stay.

Ready for your check-in to Aman New York so you can check out of the hustle and bustle? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisor to get started.