The Lowell

The Lowell Review

This old-money refuge was built as an upscale apartment hotel in the 1920s, and still delivers genteel sophistication and pampering service in an unbeatable location. Steps away from Madison Avenue shopping and the Museum Mile, the Lowell is on a leafy residential block. The lobby is small and cramped, but guest rooms have all the civilized comforts of home, including stocked bookshelves, luxe bathrooms, and even umbrellas. Thirty-three of the suites, all decorated in different themes such as the Hollywood Suite and the Garden Suite, have working fireplaces, and 11 have private terraces, the better for spying on posh neighboring abodes. Most of the nonsuite rooms have been redecorated in a more modern, streamlined style, with less chintz and no patterns. The Pembroke Room serves a fine afternoon tea, and the Post House serves some of the best steaks in town. The in-room iPods (on request) and New York Times delivered to the room are particularly nice touches.