THE CARLYLE A True Manhattan Classic with a Legendary Following from Presidents to Princesses

Standing at the corner of 76th Street and Madison Avenue, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, has been a dominating presence in shaping the character and personality of Manhattan’s elegant Upper East Side since 1930. Whom You Know LOVES the Upper East Side and ABSOLUTELY LOVES The Carlyle.

For more than seven decades, The Carlyle has been a home away from home for some of the most famous names in society, and for New Yorkers, an enduring focal point for East Side social life. The hotel and its traditions represent one of New York City’s truest and most appealing landmarks. Among those making The Carlyle their preferred address have been almost every American President since Harry Truman, royalty such as Diana, Princess of Wales and a roster of Hollywood moguls, business tycoons, and aristocracy that have certainly helped ensure the hotel’s place in history.

In a neighborhood where world figures, international celebrities, and captains of industry live in refined anonymity, the 35-story, 180-room Carlyle – with 60 residences for long-term guests - has long understood the aesthetic sensibilities of its clientele. Embracing a passion for the arts (some of New York’s most famous museums are within walking distance), the hotel showcases, in public areas and guestrooms, museum-quality art and antiques dating to the eighteenth century. Grand pianos grace 23 of the suites, reflecting the essential role of music in a life of culture. Appreciating its guests’ expectation of quality, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, has commissioned only the top residential decorators – such as Dorothy Draper, Mark Hampton and now Thierry Despont – to help define The Carlyle’s character.

Long associated with the finest residences in the area, they know the appeal of Scalamandre fabrics, finely woven Stark carpets, antique porcelain lamps and vases with an Asian touch, and the Louis XV style furniture that have long distinguished the hotel’s interiors. More like an elegant residence than a hotel, The Carlyle is famously void of typical “hotel” characteristics; paper announcements and signage are kept to a minimum, with only a single compendium offering necessary information.

Philip F. Maritz, The Carlyle’s current owner (there have only been four ownerships in its history), continues to honor the traditions that have made The Carlyle a New York classic while also enhancing, with the help of Thierry Despont, areas in need of special attention.

History

To fully appreciate The Carlyle, one must first understand its unique role in New York and how it came to be. Created by Moses Ginsburg, a Russian emigrant whose wealth was in real estate, the hotel was intended to secure Ginsberg’s position in society; no expense was spared in hiring only the best. Sylvan Biren was hired as architect, and Dorothy Draper as interior designer. The Carlyle was to be a residential hotel, a popular concept in the 1920s that, according to one newspaper account, provided “freedom from drudgery, the servant problem, plus the many responsibilities that go with maintaining large private homes.” Ginsberg’s creation was named by his daughter Diana after the famous essayist and historian, Thomas Carlyle.

During the hotel’s 13-month construction, Wall Street crashed. Despite knowing he would lose millions, Ginsberg forged on. When the banks foreclosed in 1930, The Carlyle was off to a less than auspicious start. Surviving the Depression, The Carlyle once again adapted to world events a decade later during World War II when its guest profile included families taking children to boarding schools, debutantes, charity bridge players, bridal parties, and an early version of charity fund raisers called “bundling parties,” in which society ladies carried with them to the hotel bundles of used clothing for the needy.

In the 1940s, the wealthy tycoon Robert Dowling purchased The Carlyle and, like Ginsberg, saw an opportunity to set the highest standards of innkeeping and to establish his own place in New York society. Run like a private club, social references were required to obtain a room or an apartment in the 1950s. Dowling, who was active in Democratic politics, also established The Carlyle as a popular private residence for American presidents and their families, first attracting the Trumans and the Kennedys (before the latter became President). Dowling was so accommodating, that he made sure that the Kennedy duplex was kept empty for years, just in case the President decided to come to New York. Bellman Michael O’Connell, who joined The Carlyle in 1949 fresh out of college and is still on the staff, remembers John Kennedy bidding him farewell shortly before the President’s assassination in Dallas in 1963.

In 1967, The Carlyle was purchased by real estate entrepreneur Peter Sharp, a native New Yorker whose family owned and operated the Ritz Tower, the Delmonico, and the Stanhope, all residential hotels, where he lived while growing up. Sharp had a keen knowledge of the industry, the clientele and an infinite appreciation for the finer touches. He purchased the finest art and antique furnishings that still adorn the hotel today, personally collecting the Audubon and Piranesi prints found in the guestrooms. Understanding the residential character of his hotel, he demanded that only the finest materials be used. Beautifully scented five-ounce soaps, custom-designed limoge ashtrays, and only the finest fabrics and floor coverings became de rigueur. Loathing the smell of carpet cleaner, Sharp insisted on hardwood floors and the most exquisite rugs.

When Peter Sharp died in 1992, the hotel was run by a board of directors until an appropriate owner could be found. It was not until 2001 that Philip F. Maritz, President of Maritz-Wolff & Company, would be named that “suitable buyer.” Maritz, a St. Louis native, holds a 50 percent share in ownership of Rosewood Hotels and Resorts with Caroline Hunt out of Dallas, Texas. The hotel was purchased for $112 million.

Public Spaces

The newly renovated lobby welcomes guests with a fresh take on a classic Art Deco design. Thierry Despont, who oversaw the renovation, revived the iconic lobby by highlighting specific features of the exquisite 1930s style and adding striking contemporary flourishes. Dorothy Draper’s original black and white marble floors and columns were restored and are now illuminated by Baccarat light fixtures. Carefully placed custom made ochre-toned furniture creates a sense of space and grandeur. Elegant, tightly packed bouquets of Casablanca lilies, long a feature of The Carlyle, continue to decorate the lobby and greet guests with a subtle and lovely aroma. The original clock, dating back to the 1930s, hangs with regal glory over the handsome reception desk complete with a traditional letterbox. The reception desk was newly designed to incorporate state of the art equipment but fashioned out of ebonized walnut to evoke the classic elements of the hotel. Guests receive a warm welcome from Ronald Hector, who came to The Carlyle in 1966 and has been overseeing the front desk ever since.

After check-in, guests are ushered into a small foyer which is also decorated with handsome ochre-toned furniture and is dominated by a pair of magnificent, skillfully restored, 17th century Jan Weenix Flemish murals. A white-gloved elevator operator delivers guests to their accommodations, providing the subliminal security so appreciated and expected by the world’s leaders and experienced travelers.
Guestrooms

With 124 guestrooms and 56 suites distributed among private permanent apartments, Carlyle guests feel truly ensconced in a New York residential atmosphere. The décor of each room has a distinctive aristocratic brand of Anglo-American taste, a legacy of the late designer Mark Hampton who decorated each room individually. Known for his penchant for the English country style, Hampton had a keen understanding and appreciation of details that would distinguish the hotel, yet make it at one with the neighborhood. While the furniture is traditionally light in color in classic Louis XVI style, the rooms are set apart by the use of luxurious appointments and fabrics of a quality typically reserved for luxury residences. Each room features an armchair designed by Hampton and named after his daughter Alexa. Bedding, especially appreciated by those who truly enjoy a pampered breakfast in bed, is highlighted by 440 thread count custom-designed Rivolta Carmignina sheets and beautifully monogrammed Carlyle duvet covers and coverlets, which are neatly draped over a quilt stand every night.

Bathrooms are marble, and many offer whirlpool tubs. A full selection of toiletries by Kiehls, founded in New York in 1851 and an institution among discerning shoppers, is The Carlyle’s featured bath product. Hairdryers, makeup mirrors, monogrammed bathrobes and slippers are also on hand.

Many of the hotel’s 56 suites, each offering an unique ambiance, provide breathtaking views of Central Park, including the Swedish Castle and the Great Lawn, just two blocks away, and landmark buildings such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the San Remo, and the Dakota.

Throughout The Carlyle, the experience of staying in a superbly-attended Upper East Side home is enhanced with touches that offer convenience and create a setting ideal for relaxation and for conducting business. A fax machine, safe, and stereo radio with a CD/cassette player, complete with a Bobby Short CD, are placed in each room. An unobtrusive pantry features a fully-stocked mini-bar with such extravagances as two champagnes—Tattinger and Moet & Chandon—Fauchon chocolates and biscuits, and other refreshments, as well as empty refrigerator space for personal selections.
Dining

The eclectic and sophisticated taste of Peter Sharp is showcased in The Carlyle’s two dining areas. The Gallery, which leads to Restaurant Carlyle and features an upper and lower level, is the hotel’s famous “living room.” A favorite among East Side residents, foreign diplomats, politicians, and celebrities, it was here that Jacqueline Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn, arriving together by chance, introduced themselves and sat down for a chat.

In 1980, The Gallery’s décor was transformed into that of an exotic Turkish tea parlor. The inspiration of Renzo Mangordino, the room’s hand-painted navy blue and gold patterned wallpaper features vignettes of Turkish treasures, most notably the Topkapi Palace and the famous Bosphorous Straits. In The Gallery, guests can enjoy a quick morning bite, including renowned blueberry muffins cut horizontally and toasted, a light lunch of salads and entrées, and daily afternoon tea, which is enhanced by real Devonshire cream flown in from England, 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Just beyond The Gallery, Restaurant Carlyle offers fresh interpretations of French cuisine, perfect for those who appreciate the classics. Any number of selections from the restaurant’s half million-dollar wine cellar will complement such favorites as classic Dover Sole and exceptional terrines. Aubusson rugs, Ampola china, marble mantels, Tete de Negre linen, and lavish floral arrangements set a quiet elegant mood for the dining room decorated in a palette of ivory, taupe, and jade. A smaller adjacent room is lined in cream and pale blue Fortuny silk.
Entertainment and Libations
Music has been an integral part of The Carlyle story since composer Richard Rodgers moved in as The Carlyle’s very first tenant. A mecca for jazz lovers, the hotel’s romantic Café Carlyle, decorated with a fanciful mural by French artist/set designer Vertes, offers a star-studded lineup each and every season. From Broadway’s Rita Moreno to East Side neighbor Woody Allen, performers and patrons flock to the Café’s uniquely intimate supper club environment. But for connoisseurs of cabaret music, the essential draw is the legendary Bobby Short. A fixture at the Café Carlyle since 1968, Short, cabaret’s preeminent interpreter of American songs, is synonymous with the Café. Guests are invited to dine at the café beginning at 7:00 p.m., or drop in for a relaxing late night cocktail while enjoying Short’s urbane renditions of Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and Gershwin.


Despite a list of famous patrons that includes Rock ‘n’ Roll legends and statesmen, Bemelmans Bar is, at its heart, a neighborhood bar. But what a neighborhood! Tucked behind a discreet Madison Avenue doorway, social lions, politicians, movie stars, and magnates all flock to Bemelmans Bar for a dose of witty New York glamour. Named for the artist/satirist Ludwig Bemelmans, the author of Madeline and 40 other books, the bar’s allure lies in its delicate mix of fun and sophistication. Madeline and her classmates even make a cameo appearance in Central Park, the mural he created for the walls of the bar and the only surviving Bemelmans commission on view to the public.

Guests in the mood for great music are treated to the works of new and established musicians nightly. Thanks to Executive Chef Jean-Louis Dumonet, Bemelmans Bar has the most sophisticated bar menu in town, including savory Cheese Madeleines, delicious cheese gourgères in the shape of tiny Madeleines, Homemade Foie Gras Terrine, and Mini Marinated Lamb Chops among other selections. The bar and its landmark mural were restored and revitalized in early 2002 by French designer Thierry Despont. With a nod to The Carlyle’s Art Deco past, Despont elegantly updated the interior by lengthening the bar and covering it in black granite, brown leather nosing, and fluted mahogany facing. Other updates include backlit chocolate brown leather banquettes, nickel-trimmed black glass tabletops, and a 24-karat gold leaf covered ceiling. In this rich-yet-relaxing setting, guests can enjoy cocktails expertly mixed by bartender Tommy Rowles, a Bemelmans fixture since the 1950’s. Peachy Deegan highly recommends a visit or many to The Carlyle!!!

Area Attractions

No hotel offers a better location for exploring the cultural and shopping treasures of New York. Just steps away from The Carlyle is the Whitney Museum of American Art, showcasing some of the most important works of 20th century American art. A few blocks to the southwest, visitors can explore a slice of Fifth Avenue’s past at the magnificent Frick Collection. Part of New York’s “Museum Mile,” this 1913 mansion built by Henry K. Frick (and still owned by the Frick family) showcases a treasure trove of fine and decorative arts from the Renaissance through the 18th century, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and featuring Fragonard’s Progress of Love panels commissioned by Madame de Pompadour.

Just north of The Carlyle is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Among the world’s most important cultural institutions, the museum is four city blocks long and houses a permanent collection of nearly three million works of art. Along with special exhibitions, concerts, lectures and seemingly endless galleries filled with works from ancient Egypt to modern times, the Metropolitan features an unparalleled bookstore as well as a roof garden offering spectacular views of neighboring Central Park. Just up Fifth Avenue are the jewel box collections of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum (dedicated to the decorative arts), the Neue Galerie (German expressionist art), and the Jewish Museum.

Visitors with a love of the outdoors will find a restful respite from big city life in New York’s beloved 843-acre Central Park. Designed with grassy meadows, wooded groves, riding paths and formal gardens, the Park has something to offer everyone. Children enjoy the Central Park Zoo in the summer and Wolman ice-skating rink in the winter, while adults can take advantage of annual “Shakespeare in the Park” performances.

A shopper’s paradise, Madison Avenue is lined with the biggest names in fashion, alongside unique specialty boutiques. A casual stroll will lead to the doors of Valentino, Caroline Herrera, Les Copains, Celine, Gianfranco Ferre, and the flagship shop of Ralph Lauren.

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts manages properties worldwide including Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and Hotel Crescent Court in Dallas, The Carlyle in New York, CordeValle in San Martin, California, Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe, Las Ventanas al Paraíso in Los Cabos, Mexico, Hotel Seiyo Ginza in Tokyo, Japan, and a triumvirate of world-class Caribbean properties – Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda, Caneel Bay on St. John and Jumby Bay on Antigua. For more information on Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, please call 888-ROSEWOOD, or visit www.rosewoodhotels.com.