The Lowell: A Timeless Hideaway on New York’s Upper East Side

As you stroll along the tree-lined pavements of New York City‘s Upper East Side, The Lowell is impossible to miss. Its distinctive Art Deco façade, done in blush and rose-pink tilework, catches the light and draws your eye to the fanciful crest that curls above the awning. That flourish hints at what awaits within: a luxury icon that preserves the refinements of a bygone era. Many of the guestrooms in the 1920s building feature wood-burning fireplaces (almost unheard of in Manhattan hotels), and instead of a plastic key card at check-in, you’re handed a tasseled key with pleasing heft, to be stored at the front desk when you head out for the day and collected upon your return. Small details like this lend the sort of Old New York air that I always find irresistible, a throwback to the era when grand hotels reigned at the center of high society.

The Lowell has long been known as a bolthole for Golden Age film stars, literary icons and the city’s elite, and it’s held fast to its reputation for intimacy and discretion while evolving gracefully with the times. Soon to celebrate its 100th anniversary, it remains a favorite retreat for travelers who appreciate a layer of history paired with tranquility and impeccable service. No matter whom you’re sharing your room key with — a significant other, a group of girlfriends or the family in tow — the hotel adapts to your needs with aplomb.

Review and Highlights of The Lowell

The Lowell sits in a quiet, largely residential pocket of the Upper East Side Historic District, on East 63rd Street between Park and Madison Avenues. Although it feels pleasantly removed from Manhattan’s frenetic energy, you’re steps from the area’s top-tier fashion boutiques — Gucci, Chanel, Valentino et al — and within easy reach of must-visit Manhattan sights by foot or by cab.

Central Park and its namesake zoo are just a couple of blocks away; with a bit more time and stamina, you can cross the park to reach the Met, the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Historical Society Museum (a standout for all ages thanks to treasures like the balcony at which George Washington stood for his inauguration, plus an excellent children’s discovery space). MoMA, Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall are walkable from here as well.

An Elegant Welcome

My 20-year-old son and I stayed at The Lowell over a winter weekend in New York, and the hospitality felt genuine and gracious from the moment we arrived. The doorman and bell staff greeted us, looked after our bags and got us settled in with kindness and care. At check-in, guests are presented with a complimentary glass of Champagne or another beverage of choice, which can be sent up to your room or enjoyed in a pretty fireside lounge just off the lobby.

Refined Accommodations

The Lowell began life as an apartment hotel, and that residential sensibility remains one of its defining features — extended stays and repeat guests are common. Spread across 17 stories, it has just 74 rooms and suites (mostly the latter), giving it the intimate feel of a townhouse versus a purpose-built hotel.

Many of the accommodations are fresh from a top-to-tail makeover under the guidance of designer Michael S. Smith, best known for his work on the Obama White House. His touch is evident in the crisp, tailored interiors: gentle palettes, splashes of pattern, layered textures and a well-edited selection of antiques. Marble-clad bathrooms include heated floors, double vanities, soaking tubs and the hotel’s signature DDC28 line of bath products, formulated by Lowell co-owner and creative director Dina De Luca Chartouni.

TIP: As of this writing, some rooms are still in the process of renovation, so I’d recommend requesting one that’s newly redesigned in order to experience the hotel at its stylish best.

Accommodation options range from standard rooms to Junior Suites, One- and Two-Bedroom Suites, and a handful of Specialty Suites, each with its own personality. The Garden Suite pays homage to nearby Central Park with double outdoor terraces and a palette inspired by the grass and sky of the green space just beyond. By contrast, the Hollywood Suite nods to The Lowell’s storied past with a media room, photographs of silver-screen legends and original movie scripts on display.

The Manhattan Suite captures the chic vibe of a New York pied-à-terre, with gracious proportions and skyline views that feel quintessentially Upper East Side. And if you’re in town long enough to entertain guests, the expansive Lowell Suite rises to any occasion with multiple sitting areas plus a formal dining room.

My son and I stayed in a Lowell Room, which was generously sized and well configured. Twin beds in the European style (side by side with a shared headboard) kept company with a cozy seating area and a roomy work desk. Like many of the hotel’s accommodations, our room included a kitchenette with a sink, mini-fridge, electric kettle, toaster and dishware; other categories offer full refrigerators, cooktops and dishwashers.

Families will appreciate the range of flexible options. Some rooms and suites connect, and Two-Bedroom Suites are ideal for parents traveling with kids or multigenerational groups. Adjacent rooms can even be combined by closing off a section of the hallway to create a private apartment-like setup.

TIP: If you’re staying at The Lowell during the colder months, book accommodations with a fireplace (they’re sprinkled across all categories). The staff will provide a basket of wood and build a fire for you upon request, which is indescribably cozy after a day on the town.

Dining with Panache

The Lowell is home to two full restaurants and two bar and lounge spaces, each with its own character. Daily breakfast takes place in the softly lit, white-tablecloth Pembroke Room, where classics like omelets, pancakes, eggs Benedict, avocado toast and local bagels with smoked salmon are executed to perfection.

Lunch and dinner are served at Majorelle, the hotel’s flagship restaurant, named for French artist Jacques Majorelle and his famous garden in Marrakech. The black-and-white space is elegant and serene, enlivened by the lavish floral arrangements that appear throughout the property. Lunch features a small but crowd-pleasing menu with favorites like crab cakes and burgers alongside Moroccan-inspired curries, tagines and Mediterranean mezze.

Dinner is the true standout, with a prix fixe menu rooted in French culinary tradition. Dishes such as foie gras with apple and Calvados, Dover sole with haricots verts, and venison with sauce grand veneur — a rich hunter-inspired concoction that’s traditionally served with game — are exquisitely prepared.

Majorelle also offers a Lily of the Valley afternoon tea in partnership with Dior, served on the couturier’s elegant china pattern of the same name. The experience is especially lovely in the glass-enclosed garden room, and there’s also a delightful children’s tea, complete with treats like almond butter and jelly sandwiches and pink lemonade in place of Earl Grey or Oolong.

For cocktails or a nightcap, Jacques Bar offers a clubby atmosphere with burnished wood paneling and vintage mirrored ceilings. If you’re peckish, Majorelle’s lunch menu is also available here, or you can nibble on snacks like olives and crudité as you sip a well-crafted cocktail or a glass from the excellent wine list.

Our favorite space of all was the first-floor Club Room, a beautifully appointed lounge that feels like a grand estate library. With ornate millwork, sink-right-in sofas and armchairs, clusters of small tables that invite tête-a-têtes and a selection of beautiful books to flip through, it’s so comfortable and appealing that we found it genuinely hard to leave. We loved loitering by the fireplace, after-dinner coffees in hand, late in the evenings before bed.

Thoughtful Service and Amenities

Service at The Lowell is cordial and deeply attentive yet never intrusive. From the front desk and doormen to restaurant servers, staff members excel at anticipating guests’ needs and are always glad to help in any way they can. There’s a small onsite gym for guests who want to maintain their fitness routine, and while the hotel doesn’t have a spa of its own, the concierge team can easily arrange reservations at spas nearby.

The concierge is equally knowledgeable about kid-friendly restaurants and activities, and the hotel happily arranges age-appropriate in-room surprises, from plush toys for little ones to gaming consoles for teens. Whether you’re traveling with a curious toddler or a hard-to-impress teen, the team at The Lowell makes everyone feel seen and appreciated — just what exceptional hospitality should achieve.

Relevant Links: 

Browse all accommodations and things to do in New York City on Ciao Bambino

10 unforgettable ways to experience New York with kids

Why choose the New York CityPASS for a vacation with kids

A taste of classic New York for the holidays

Ciao Bambino received a media package to review The Lowell for families. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos courtesy of The Lowell except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.