AMAN New York (3 MICHELIN Keys)
AMAN New York located in The Crown Building at 730 Fifth Avenue
I recently had the privilege to stay at AMAN New York, a five-star and Three MICHELIN Key hotel, to get a glimpse into how far modern luxury can go when privacy, design, and service come together seamlessly. Housed in the restored Crown Building at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, AMAN is the most expensive hotel in New York and setting the standard for ultra luxury hospitality in The Big Apple.
Discreet Luxury on Fifth Avenue
AMAN New York is a sanctuary amid Manhattan’s tireless energy. Despite its prestige, the hotel’s interiors exude a sense of calmness rather than excess. Soft neutral tones, handcrafted textures and natural materials create a setting that feels more like a private residence than a hotel. You won’t find a large AMAN nameplate at the top of the building or front entrance, but rather a small plaque that would easily be missed when passing by. It does not try to attract attention, but instead offers a small affirmation for those who know what they are looking that they are in the right place.
Every corner in the building seems designed to encourage stillness or tranquility, with beautiful greenery and fire pit in the terrace Garden Lounge or large indoor heated swimming pool with lounging areas and fire pits — a big contrast to the over-the-top flagship luxury goods stores like Louis Vuitton or Tiffany & Co. trying to get the attention of tourists sitting on the same street. At check-in, I’m told that guests are often business leaders, politicians, artists and public figures, and the hotel makes every effort to give guests a sense of privacy.
The restaurants and spa in AMAN are not open to the public, and can only be accessed by hotel guests or AMAN Club members. Photography in public areas is also discouraged. Security is visibly understated in the background, but you will find them stationed throughout the hotel’s public areas. Guests arriving with their own security detail are expected and a common practice, and there is an established protocol for handling personal security teams.
Incredible Service, Staff and Amenities
The service at AMAN New York is what truly sets it apart. They go above and beyond to make your requests possible. Weeks before arriving New York, the concierge team already began assisting me with my personal itinerary, helping with dinner reservations at the difficult to get Le Bernardin, a front-row table at The Jazz Club, and arranging a tailor-made picnic in Central Park. Nothing feels transactional and everything is handled thoughtfully. Throughout my stay, many of the staff knew of my personal itinerary and would ask about how it went, or if there were anything more they could do to assist. You get a feeling that the staff are fully briefed on each guests’ plans, and are trained to anticipate their needs.
The hotel offers generous amenities. All guests are offered a Maybach house car for local trips within a few blocks of the hotel as part of their stay. If you are into photography, Leica Q2 cameras are also on offer at no charge. But perhaps my favourite, and what I believe was the most thoughtful service, was their luggage unpacking (and packing) service. Upon arrival, and with your consent, luggage can be unpacked on your behalf. I had my clothes hung neatly in the walk-in closet, workout clothes and personal garments folded in drawers, chargers connected bedside, toiletries arranged neatly — all without any instruction. This small gesture truly makes you feel a lot more like home when staying in a hotel — when all your personal belongings have their own place, rather than sitting in a suitcase. When it’s time to leave, the process reverses seamlessly. On the day of checking out, I had breakfast and went out for a walk in Central Park, coming back to my hotel room with all my luggage packed for me. Throughout my entire stay, the only time I had to handle my suitcase was taking it from the car to the check-in counter at the airport. This is comfort through invisibility — the kind of service that is thoughtful, and not necessarily grand, but understated and very much appreciated.
If wellness is important to you, you’ll be pleased with what is on offer: The AMAN New York spa spans across three floors covering 25,000 square feet. It has a very well equipped gym, beautiful indoor pool with poolside dining service, and excellent spa treatment options. During my stay, I had a massage with a very friendly and experienced therapist on-par with the great massages I’ve had in Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental and Capella in different cities.
The AMAN Premier Suite
The AMAN Premier Suite was beautiful and spacious for New York, and I really enjoyed spending a lot of time in the room. If a hotel room is important to you for more than sleeping when travelling, you will really appreciate the suite. It’s comfortable to lounge in, and very cozy in the evening with the fireplace (even for summer!) when you wind down and have conversations with your companions or spend some time to review all the photos you took during the day.
For those seeking space and light, the Premier Suite on 56th Street is my recommendation for you. Its floor-to-ceiling windows are a rare feature in the building and frame the city beautifully, while also letting in beautiful natural light. It’s important to note that unless you select the Suites on 56th Street, your room may not have floor-to-ceiling windows, but rather smaller framed windows and a darker ambiance.
The suite itself is expansive, featuring a comfortable lounge, a generous walk-in closet, and a large bathroom with a freestanding tub as its centrepiece.
For me, the highlight of the room was the working fireplace, an uncommon luxury in New York hotels, adding warmth and intimacy to the space. Movable illuminated partitions allow guests to open the bathroom or close it off for more privacy — a signature touch of AMAN’s design philosophy.
A Thoughtful Form of Luxury
AMAN New York isn’t about spectacle; it’s about serenity. It quietly redefines what five-star hospitality can mean in Manhattan. Privacy that feels natural, comfort that feels personal, and service so refined it disappears into the background.
For travellers seeking the best luxury hotels in New York, AMAN remains the benchmark.
All in all, I’d give the stay a solid 8.5 out of 10.
AMAN New York
The Crown Building
730 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
United States
Phone: +1 646 459 5302
Reservations: aman.com/hotels/aman-new-york
Instagram: @amannewyork