Aman New York

With rates that start at $1,950 a night, Aman New York in Midtown is one of the most expensive hotels in the city and among the priciest in the U.S. Chatter about its recent debut had been building for more than a year, reaching an anticipation that’s rare for new hotels

- By Shivani Vora

I checked in for a night to see whether the reality lives up to the hype.

Aman is known for its intimate properties featuring minimalist Zen design. Most are in resort or countryside destinations such as the mountains of Bhutan or on the beach in Greece’s Peloponnese.

Before my visit to the New York location, I had stayed at two Amans, Rosa Alpina in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains and Amanjena in Marrakesh. I’m not an Amanjunkie—the nickname reserved for hard-core guests—but am familiar with the brand’s level of luxury.

Situated in the Crown Building, a significant 1921 skyscraper, Aman New York beautifully captures the group’s classic sensibilities in an urban setting. Celebrated designer Jean-Michel Gathy created the aesthetic for the hushed sanctuary, which features a double-height lobby with oak, walnut and cinnamon woods and furniture and rugs in neutral tones. Asian-inspired artwork commissioned specifically for the property is displayed throughout the public spaces.