Aman New York

The indoor pool looked lovely, but the water was noticeably cold, and asking to have it warmed didn’t change anything during our stay. There’s no free jacuzzi or cold plunge access unless you book the “Banya” experience. The locker rooms were fine, with a steam room and sauna. My sister’s 60-minute massage was good, though she didn’t think it was worth the price without more of a spa experience or extra amenities. I didn’t book a treatment myself, but we spent time in the spa area. The gym had plenty of equipment for a city hotel, though nothing especially memorable. Food and drink availability was the biggest letdown. Only one bar was open throughout our stay. The bar manager deserves a shoutout, though, he was friendly, knowledgeable, and did a great job. The downstairs jazz bar and outdoor terrace bar were closed, and the omakase sushi experience wasn’t running Sunday or Monday. That seemed surprising over Memorial Day weekend. The service was fine, but it didn’t feel especially warm, proactive, or memorable for an Aman or another top luxury hotel. Nothing went badly, but the attentiveness fell short of what I’ve had at other five-star places. The rooms are quiet and relaxing, with beautiful finishes and materials, a cozy fireplace, and a large bathroom with a soaking tub. They’re bigger than the average New York hotel room, but Aman calls each one a “suite” and they felt more like spacious standard rooms, with a fairly simple bed and TV area layout. The lobby is on the 14th floor; guest rooms are roughly on floors 7-12, while private residences are above the lobby. Many room views were underwhelming for a Manhattan luxury hotel. We had a good stay at Aman New York, with some real highs and lows, but I probably wouldn’t recommend it. It’s a beautiful property with strong design and wellness facilities, though it’s my least favorite Aman. If you don’t need to be near Central Park, Faena or The Greenwich Hotel offer a comparable Manhattan stay for significantly less.