Editorial take
Who should book Lotte New York Palace?
If this is your first New York trip, shortlist Lotte New York Palace for a practical reason: Special occasions, classic luxury, Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center. The name, star rating and lobby photos matter, but the real test is whether the location helps your days feel easier.
It is less compelling if you want value, a small boutique feel or downtown character. Before booking from the UK, compare the final price after taxes and property fees, check the exact room setup and make sure your airport arrival route is not needlessly awkward.
Location and map
Where is Lotte New York Palace?
455 Madison Avenue at 50th Street puts you opposite St Patrick's Cathedral, a short walk from Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue, in one of the calmer parts of central Midtown.
Nearby
St Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping, MoMA and Central Park.
Closest subway
51 St and Fifth Av-53 St
Hotel facts
What to know before booking.
First-timer context
Why Lotte New York Palace might feel special.
What it is known for
- The hotel is built around the Villard Houses of the 1880s by McKim, Mead & White: six separate residences arranged in a U-shape around a central courtyard.
- Harry Helmsley created the hotel between 1977 and 1980, and it traded for years as the Helmsley Palace under his wife Leona's famously exacting management.
- It has changed hands at increasing prices: $200 million to the Sultan of Brunei's family in 1993, $400 million to Northwood Investors in 2011, and $805 million to Lotte in 2015.
New York moments
- The courtyard and facade are among the most recognisable hotel entrances in New York, directly opposite St Patrick's Cathedral.
- McKim, Mead & White were the pre-eminent American architectural firm of the Gilded Age, which is why the Villard Houses were preserved rather than demolished.
On screen
- Gossip Girl used the hotel as the residence of Blake Lively's character Serena van der Woodsen.
Review questions
What travellers keep asking.
Is this the hotel from Gossip Girl?
Yes. It stood in as Serena van der Woodsen's residence, and the courtyard entrance on Madison Avenue is the shot most fans recognise.
Is Midtown East a good area for a first trip?
It is calmer than Times Square while staying central for Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center and Central Park. It is less lively in the evening, which suits some travellers and not others.
Booking checklist
Check these before you reserve.
Total price
Look beyond the nightly rate. Check taxes, destination fees, breakfast and cancellation.
Room layout
For New York, room size, bathroom privacy, bed type and storage can matter more than star rating.
Arrival route
Match the hotel to your airport, luggage and arrival time, especially after an overnight UK flight.
Sources and update notes
Last updated: 17 August 2026. Hotel rates, fees, rules and transport details can change.