LOTTE NEW YORK PALACE facade
Prominence augmented after being acquired by LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS, the largest hotel group in South Korea in 2015. Korean hospitality expertise grafted on 140 years heritage building
NYC cultural heritage. The second White House. A Madison Avenue jewel.
The above all describe LOTTE NEW YORK PALACE. Originally built as the mansion for Henry Villard, a prominent financier with railroad construction business in 1882, it now stands as a historic landmark in Midtown Manhattan.
With over 140 years history, LOTTE NEW YORK PALACE was acquired by LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS, the largest hotel group in South Korea in 2015, and continues to prove its eminence. This was also the first time for a Korean hotel brand to make its debut in New York, which drew big interest and expectation within the hospitality industry.
The 55-story hotel feature total 909 guest rooms and 23 banquet halls in The Palace (The Villard Houses), of which the neo-Italian Renaissance style from the 19th century still remain, and The Towers behind it. From the 41st to 51st floors of this luxury hotel, boasting incomparable size even in NYC, sits modern suites. Amongst them, the triplex penthouse, the Champagne Suite is iconic to the hotel. Upon entrance to the suite inspired by the finest Champagne, Dom Pérignon, a shimmering crystal pendant chandelier designed to invoke the effervescent champagne bubble cates the eyes. The interior welcomes guests with a Nouveau Nero marble floor leading to a double-story Grand Parlour surrounded by floor to ceiling windows. The master and queen suites take design inspiration from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with expressions of leather and deep rose tones. The Champagne cave, the only one of its kind in NYC, provides a rustic experience for guests directly adjacent to the dining room.
Another iconic suite is the Jewel Suite, designed in collaboration with acclaimed jewelry designer Martin Katz. The suite opens with a two-story cascading crystal chandelier and five sculptural crystal jewel boxes, personally curated by Martin Katz. The suite gleams from the reflection, as if one is inside the jewel box. The master and double bedrooms reflect the jeweled theme in opulent, upscale furnishings complete with a master bath and guest bath, respectively.
Both terrace levels of the Champagne and the Jewel Suites house wood burning fireplaces and custom designed hot tubs where guests can enjoy unobstructed city view. The hotel is deeply ingrained with artistic features, not to mention the sculptures and paintings of the gold room and the drawing room.
The hotel was much more upgraded after the acquisition by LOTTE. Firstly, all staff above the director level from the previous New York Palace hotel were invited to Korea and were given Korean-styled hospitality service training based on LOTTE HOTELS’ expertise of over 40 years. In general, organizational restructuring is conducted after acquisition, whereas LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS made almost no changes to the existing manpower. Furthermore, by hosting significant global events such as the UN General Assembly and national summits, and by being known as the hotel that the U.S. presidents stay, LOTTE HOTEL’s investment continues to prosper.
LOTTE NEW YORK PALACE continues to enhance the brand power of LOTTE HOTELS & RESORTS in NYC, the global area for international chain hotels, such as being honoured by the prestigious travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards, and being accoladed by the Forbes Travel Guide, the so-called the hotel version of Michelin Guide, as the 2021 Recommended Hotel.
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