Finally opened to the public since March 25th is the iconic, classic Baccarat Hotel. Baroque Travel has all the details
Ultra-luxurious establishments abound in Midtown Manhattan, but the Baccarat Hotel stands out from the crowd. It’s a magnificent glass skyscraper that soars up 50 storeys into the sky, and inside Baccarat crystal abounds, of course, including 17 exquisite Baccarat crystal chandeliers. The hotel offers a selection of 114 sumptuous, spacious rooms and suites, all decorated in sophisticated, elegant style, a combination of Manhattan magnificence and Parisian class. Facilities include floor-to-ceiling windows, sitting areas, custom Mascioni jacquard linen, en suite white marble bathrooms with exclusive amenities created by Parisian perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian. The red enamel mini bar offers French gourmet delights from Fauchon, and guests can order champagne served in Baccarat fluted glasses by pressing a button on the telephone handset.
Of course, the hotel offers every facility for a luxury stay, from a state-of-the-art fitness center, the first American Spa de la Mer and a 50-foot indoor swimming pool. And then there’s one of Baccarat’s highlights, an extraordinary private collection of art masterpieces and photographs dating from the 18th Century to modern times. These are found throughout the hotel and the adjoining 60 luxury residences. They were collected over an 18-month period by Parisian art connoisseur Frédéric Chambre. In addition, the Baccarat boasts a selection of Harcourt glasses specially created for the hotel by a group of 12 local artists. These are also on display throughout the hotel.
The hotel itself is the first of its kind belonging to the 250-year-old crystal brand. It boasts an idyllic location, right across the street from the Museum of Modern Art and within walking distance of Fifth Avenue. The architecture and design are the perfect combination of historic and modern, with exquisite sumptuous spaces throughout. Every single piece of furniture in the hotel was created by Paris-based designers Gilles & Boissier, including artisanal Baccarat crystal elements, of course.
Just off the opulent Grand Salon one finds the Bar at Baccarat, with its exquisite barrel-vaulted ceilings, 60-foot bar and outdoor terrace. But the piece de resistance is the hotel’s French restaurant, Chevalier, which is overseen by Executive Chef Shea Gallante, who is a Michelin starred chef. The restaurant is overseen by legendary New York restaurateur Charles Masson and is run as a French-style brasserie. The private dining room, La Cour, serves up to 25 guests for special occasions.
