The Carlyle Hotel

A legend among Manhattan hotels since 1930, this special oasis provides a quiet and genteel "home away from home" for sophisticated travelers.  The Hotel’s first decorator was Dorothy Draper, a mid-twentieth century feminist, who decorated in the "Empire manner." Today the strong Art Deco influence has been painstakingly maintained. One of the country’s foremost decorators, the late Mark Hampton, has updated many of the guest rooms with a contemporary interpretation of the understated elegance achieved by Dorothy Draper 70 years ago. In 2002 interior designer Thierry Despont restored Bemelmans Bar and the Lobby.

Reputedly named for British essayist Thomas Carlyle, the 35-story hotel, designed by the architectural firm of Bien & Prince, was completed in 1930. A newspaper account of the time described the design as a "diversified setback style," which provides private terraces for some suites. Despite a much-altered Manhattan skyline during the past 70 years, The Carlyle continues to dominate the Upper East Side over which it presides.

Residential hotels, popular in the late 1920s, provided, according to one newspaper account, "freedom from drudgery, the servant problem, plus the many responsibilities that go with maintaining large private homes…" During WWII, the Carlyle guest profile consisted of families visiting en route to boarding schools, debutantes, charity bridge players, bridal parties and early versions of charity fund raisers termed "bundling parties" where society ladies carried with them to The Carlyle, bundles of used clothing for the needy.

The Carlyle’s guest list reads like a Who’s Who of world affairs, business and entertainment. Every American President since Truman has visited. Its rich history includes visiting Royals and heads-of-state. HRH, The Prince of Wales, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, their Majesties, the Kings and Queens of Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain and Sweden have all visited.

The Carlyle is the Mecca for the world’s most influential individuals from the art world, be they collectors, curators or gallery owners. Fervent shoppers can enjoy the large selection of fine international shops and stores for which Madison Avenue is celebrated.

Superbly positioned on chic Madison Avenue, The Carlyle is surrounded by galleries and designer boutiques of New York’s smart Upper East Side. Minutes from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Whitney and the Frick, the hotel is within easy reach of what is commonly referred to as the "Museum Mile." Most rooms have views of Central Park.

LaGuardia Airport: is approximately a 30-minute drive. Kennedy Airport: is approximately a 45-minute drive. Newark Airport: in New Jersey is approximately a 45-minute drive.

• Carlyle Restaurant
• The Gallery
• Cafe Carlyle

The Carlyle Restaurant: An East Side "bastion of urbanity," The Carlyle Restaurant is an "elegant private escape" for "carriage trade" clientele offering superb cuisine, posh décor and discrete service. Pillow-sprinkled banquets focus on a six-foot high floral arrangement, setting the mood of quiet elegance in a highly romantic setting of tete de negre linen, velvet covered walls, and marble. The hotel’s art acquisition is extensive here, with Fores’ English hunting prints and Liliacae engravings by Redoute in the main dining area all of which contribute to a sense of quiet, understated luxury. A smaller adjacent dining room is lined in cream and pale blue Fortuny silk.

Breakfast is served from: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Lunch is served from: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dinner is served from: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

All menus are a la carte. Seats 100.

The Gallery: The Gallery, which leads to the restaurant, is the living room of the Carlyle. Envisioned by designer Renzo Mangordino the Gallery, which features an upper and lower level, is an exotic Turkish Tea parlor with hand-painted navy blue and gold patterned wallpaper featuring vignettes of Turkish treasures. Here guests can enjoy a quick morning bite, a light lunch of salads and entrees, and daily afternoon tea. The afternoon tea is enhanced by real Devonshire cream flown in from England.

The Gallery is open Monday to Sunday.

Continental breakfast is served: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The a la carte menu is served: from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Afternoon tea is served: from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Seats 35 in the upper Gallery and 15 in the lower.

Cafe Carlyle: The Café Carlyle is one vast whimsical mural by the French artist, Vertes. Dinners in the Café are served from 7:00 p.m., in tandem with cabaret entertainment including Bobby Short, practically synonymous with Café Carlyle for more than 33 years.

Open Monday to Saturday: 7:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Café serves an a la carte Sunday brunch menu from October through June.

Seats 70 for dinner and 90 for performances.

Bemelmans Bar: Bemelmans Bar is the favorite neighborhood bar where artist/author Ludwing Bemelmans’ childhood fantasies are given free rein. Bemelmans created many fine works of art and drawings for children’s books, including Madeline.

Open year around, Monday to Saturday: 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Lunch is served from: 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Bar snacks and light meals are available from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Seats 76.

Entertainment nightly from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Monday to Saturday. (Extra Charge) A pianist is on board from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday.