Elevator pitch
The Aman brand needs no introduction, though luxury travel afficionados may be more familiar with its tropical resorts and secluded properties which often take root in heritage sites, reinvigorating them into culturally immersive stays designed by star architects—all while preserving their unique features and meaningful histories.
The brand’s urban hotels (the first of which was Aman Tokyo, opened in 2014) may not immediately feel like its most native expression, but in reality they are a bold display of Aman’s ability to conjure up its transportive charm no matter where you are in the world—even within a concrete jungle. These hotels are a natural choice for guests who want to retreat to sanctuaries of peace while they visit the busiest, most bustling cities in the world, just like New York.
Opened in 2022, Aman New York is situated one of the city’s most famous skyscrapers and preserved landmarks: the Crown Building. Known for its Neo-Classical façade, French Renaissance detailing and crown-like finial, the iconic building was once the first home of the Museum of Modern Art. Today, it blends seamlessly into its bustling Midtown Manhattan neighbourhood, its inconspicuous entrance belying the glamorous oasis that lays within.
The design
Dreamed up by Jean-Michel Gathy, a calibrated blend of East-meets-West influences permeate the hotel, bridging Aman’s signature Japanese-inspired minimalism with the cosmopolitan spirit of New York. Step off the city’s frenetic streets into the palatial double-height atrium, and it feels almost like someone has slipped a pair of noise-cancelling headphones onto your ears without you realising.
The design language is lush and understated all at once. Generously deployed water features and abundant greenery bring a sense of resort-like calm to the heart of one the busiest cities of the world, while a neutral colour palette is set off by unobtrusive mood lighting. Dark marble sits alongside natural stone; titanic art pieces are installed to blend into the tapestry of the hotel rather than make a statement.
The hotel has 83 suites across six floors, all of which are strikingly expansive by New York standards. Each one also happens to be equipped with an incredibly sleek looking but fully-functional fireplace—imbuing the space with some welcome warmth.
In the rooms, the Japanese influence is unmissable, and it is tastefully incorporated: from the ink painted washi wallpaper to the textured panelling on the revolving doors which cordon off the bathroom from the main living space. The sprawling oversized king bed is flanked by a bay window bench, perfect for perching on to people-watch through the large windows, lose yourself in a novel, or both.
Set with opulent oval tubs, sprawling double sinks, and a spacious vanity complete with a Hollywood mirror, the bathrooms are sanctuaries in and of themselves. They are stocked with plush towels and robes from Frette, Dyson hair dryers, luxurious toiletries from Aman Essentials (the hospitality group’s own skincare label). Another Aman signature appears here: a torrential rain shower complete with heated flooring—beckoning after a long day exploring the city.
The itinerary
Since the hotel puts you in the very centre of Midtown, there is not much you don’t have access to. Situated two blocks away from Central Park and close to the Broadway district as well as a plethora of museums, the culturally-minded tourist will have plenty to do within the neighbourhood.
We recommend carving out some time for a visit to the Aman Spa, which takes up three floors and offers a mind-bogglingly extensive suite of services ranging from cryotherapy and holistic medicine to facials, massages, wraps and scrubs, alongside a unisex hair and nail salon by the renowned John Barrett.
The spa’s most lavish offerings come in the form of two spa houses, each outfitted with an outdoor hot bath and cold plunge, spacious relaxation areas, and a Banya—wood-clad sauna with steam created by pouring water over heated rocks—or a Hammam—a steam room with marble walls and a heated marble treatment table. These private enclaves are perfect for special occasions: a romantic wellness getaway, a bachelorette weekend, or even some much needed alone time.
The dining
The first rest stop you’ll see at Aman New York is the bar lounge off the lobby atrium, which offers a curated menu of light bites and Japanese-inflected craft cocktails. This lounge opens seamlessly into the garden terrace, a marvel of design engineering with its retractable glass roof which allows year-round alfresco dining—a rarity in New York City. Backdropped by bird’s eye city views and drenched in greenery, the terrace also connects guests to Arva, an Italian restaurant serving up charmingly rustic fare using the finest, sustainably sourced, seasonal ingredients from gardens and local farms and plucked fresh from the ocean.
The dining crown jewel of the hotel lies in Nama, an impeccably dressed Japanese restaurant celebrating the longstanding tradition of washoku dining. Nama offers both an à la carte menu and omakase dining. We recommend opting for the latter, which seats guests at a Hinoki wood counter looking into the open kitchen. Here, you will be served over 15 exquisite chef-chosen courses, ranging from succulent pieces of nigiri and sashimi, to a buttery Wagyu sirloin grilled over a tabletop charcoal brazier and served with Moshio mineral salt—well worth the splurge.
Post dinner, slip into another in-house gem: Aman’s very own speakeasy-style subterranean jazz club, featuring nightly performances from jazz musicians, alongside a range of other genres that stem from this great class of music. What could be more New York than that?
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