Classic luxury hotel review

The Peninsula New York

A 1905 Fifth Avenue landmark run by the Hong Kong group, with a rooftop bar and an indoor pool.

Midtown West$$$$ price pointUpdated 17 August 2026For UK travellers
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Editorial take

Who should book The Peninsula New York?

If this is your first New York trip, shortlist The Peninsula New York for a practical reason: Classic luxury, Fifth Avenue, spa and pool, special occasions. 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 modern minimalism, value 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 The Peninsula New York?

700 Fifth Avenue sits at 55th Street, directly across the junction from the St. Regis, with Central Park a short walk north.

Nearby

Fifth Avenue shopping, MoMA, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Carnegie Hall.

Closest subway

Fifth Av-53 St, and 57 St

Hotel facts

What to know before booking.

Address700 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019
OpenedOpened 1905 as the Gotham Hotel
Rooms241 rooms across 23 storeys
Price point$$$$
Known forA 1905 neoclassical building on Fifth Avenue with a rooftop bar styled on 1930s Shanghai.
SubwayFifth Av-53 St, and 57 St

First-timer context

Why The Peninsula New York might feel special.

What it is known for

  • It opened in 1905 as the Gotham Hotel, designed by Hiss and Weekes in a neoclassical style, and stands 23 storeys.
  • Salon de Ning, the rooftop terrace bar, is themed on the glamour of 1930s Shanghai, reflecting the Peninsula group's Hong Kong origins.
  • The spa includes an indoor pool, which is rare among the Fifth Avenue grand hotels.

New York moments

  • The Peninsula group began with the original Peninsula in Hong Kong in 1928, and this is its New York flagship.
  • It holds a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating, one of seven in the city.

On screen

  • The rooftop and the Fifth Avenue frontage appear widely in photography of Midtown.

Review questions

What travellers keep asking.

How does the Peninsula compare with the St. Regis?

They face each other across Fifth Avenue at 55th Street and both hold Forbes Five-Star ratings. The St. Regis is the older and more formal of the two; the Peninsula has the rooftop bar and the indoor pool.

Is there a pool?

Yes, an indoor pool as part of the spa, which is unusual among the Fifth Avenue grand hotels and useful on a winter trip.

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.

More hotel research

Keep comparing by trip type and area.