Discover the $3,200-a-night Aman New York, the most awaited hotel debut in Manhattan

I’ll be honest: I’m an “Aman enthusiast.” So are George and Amal Clooney, Bill Gates, and the Kardashians—at least, that’s the word on the street. While other hotel chains boast loyalty programs and dedicated fans, the fascination with Aman resorts, which began in the ‘80s on the stunning shores of Phuket, Thailand, is something like an obsession.

When a new Aman opens, devotees travel the globe to experience its distinctive locale, captivating design, and exceptional service. There’s Amangiri in Utah, which debuted in 2009 among canyons and mesas, where the staff greets you by name and offers a refreshing cloth after your morning trek. Then there’s Amanyara in Turks & Caicos, nestled in an 18,000-acre nature reserve, where even the general manager remembers your preferred spot and drink on the pristine beach. And don’t forget the opulent Amanjena in Marrakech, where dinner may feature a haunting live Moroccan music performance by candlelight.

Aman resorts are typically situated far from bustling cities, surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery, from Bhutan to Greece. Notable exceptions are Aman Tokyo, perched high in the striking Otemachi Tower, and Aman Kyoto, which is technically in a city yet feels worlds apart, thanks to its enchanting forest setting near Kinkaku-ji temple. And now, we have Aman New York.

Designed as an urban oasis and opened in August 2022, this hotel marks one of Manhattan’s most significant hotel launches in years. It serves as a refuge from the city I call home—the throngs of people, the blaring horns, the towering skyscrapers—but still embraces the rich cultural legacies of jazz, architecture, and exceptional dining that make New York City one of a kind.

It’s no surprise that Aman spared no expense for its debut in Manhattan. The hotel spans floors 7 to 14 of the renowned Crown building in Midtown—the one you recognize by its gilded, pyramid-shaped roof on Fifth Avenue. This structure is a prime example of Beaux Arts architecture, built in 1921 by Warren & Wetmore, the architects behind Grand Central Station. The 22 residences—some with jaw-dropping prices—occupy floors 15 to 30, while the top five floors house sprawling penthouses. Eighty-three suites fill floors 7 to 12, with the smallest bookable room at 745 square feet. Rates start at a staggering $3,200 per night, but Aman’s general managers assure that a couple of nights at an Aman feels like a week anywhere else.

The expansive 25,000-square-foot spa and wellness area covers floors 9 to 11, featuring private “spa houses” for ultimate privacy. After a massage that left me rejuvenated with CBD oil from head to toe, I enjoyed the sauna and steam room. However, my favorite place was the 65-foot indoor pool, surrounded by fireplaces and daybeds. Aside from the hotel’s underground Jazz Club (more on that soon), most of these amenities, including the two lobby restaurants, are exclusively for guests and Aman Club members. (Yes, there’s a waitlist, and membership costs $200,000, though Aman plans to eventually open the restaurants to the public.)

Above all, my experiences with Aman hospitality have been marked by the meaningful connections I've made with others, and I wondered if Aman New York would offer the same. I recall my stay at Amansara in Cambodia, where I spent two days exploring Angkor Wat while learning the deeply moving personal stories of staff who endured the Khmer Rouge regime. (At the end of my stay, a staff member gifted me a framed photo of temple ruins, which made me tear up.) During a road trip to Amangani in Wyoming with my father, the retreat’s head guide introduced us to the stunning Teton Range and wildlife like bison, moose, and elk in Grand Teton National Park, leading to long-awaited father-daughter bonding. At Aman Tokyo, I ran into fellow travelers I hadn’t seen in years—the global community of Aman enthusiasts truly feels intimate.

Arrival Experience

I entered the hotel at ground level on 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, just two blocks from Central Park and close to upscale neighbors like Tiffany & Co. and Bergdorf Goodman. A doorman guided me to an elevator and pressed the button. Moments later, I emerged into the lobby’s grand atrium on the 14th floor. Above the lounge bar floated a rust-hued paper and bamboo sculpture by Dutch artist Peter Gentenaar. The spacious outdoor terrace offered both privacy and shade, with ample seating surrounded by young pine trees. I could see the Crown building towering above me and caught a glimpse of the iconic Plaza Hotel nearby.

The interiors, designed by Jean Michel-Gathy of Denniston Architects (who also designed Aman Venice), showcase natural materials like oak, walnut, and blue and brown marble. Asian influences are evident with designs reminiscent of rattan baskets and floral arrangements inspired by Japanese ikebana. During my visit in early September, the communal spaces felt so fresh that I caught a hint of varnish in the air. However, my room was perfectly prepared for indulgence. Drawing inspiration from Japanese open-concept living, the suites are larger than many New York City apartments and feature pivoting partition walls reminiscent of traditional shoji screens. Each suite's centerpiece is a stunning mural of washi paper and ink, inspired by the 15th-century masterpiece Pine Trees by Hasegawa Tohaku. As a former student of brush painting and calligraphy, I was captivated by the grandeur of the ethereal scene on the textured wall.

Aman New York is the first hotel in the city to feature working fireplaces in every guest room, and I longed to spend my day cozied up in front of mine on the spacious bed. The soundproof glass—which the staff claims operates at a decibel level of nine, quiet enough for a recording studio—effectively muted street noise. The bathroom felt like a personal wellness retreat with heated floors, and I dedicated a pre-dinner hour to soaking in the luxurious freestanding bathtub. The toilets are Toto—those highly coveted tech-savvy porcelain fixtures with bidet functions, heated seats, and lids that automatically open when you approach.

Had I wished to remain completely isolated during my stay, Aman New York’s design would have made that a breeze. However, I appreciated the warmth of the environment, where I never felt like a stranger among the staff or other guests. At dinner in Arva, the seasonal Italian restaurant, while waiting for my carciofi alla giudia (Roman Jewish fried artichokes), two gentlemen in suits speaking French at a nearby table noticed me admiring their burrata Pugliese. One of them generously offered me a piece to try. (I later learned he was none other than Aman’s COO, Roland Fasel.) Slim, the laid-back sommelier, picked up on my preference for Italian wines from small, sustainable producers and introduced me to some wonderful selections.

I experienced the same friendly atmosphere the following night at Nama, where the young chef Takuma Yonemaru offers washoku, or traditional Japanese cuisine. When I dined there, Yonemaru had yet to debut his omakase-style chef’s choice menu, served at a beautiful hinoki wood counter. Instead, I opted for the à la carte menu, where the sashimi was exquisite, and the Nama Land and Sea dish presented a lavish combination of Alaskan king crab tempura and wagyu beef from Snake River Farms in the Pacific Northwest. Knowing I appreciated a good pairing, Slim sought me out again to guide me through the sake menu, sharing insights about small Japan-based producers while Yonemaru and his enthusiastic all-Japanese team worked their culinary magic in the open kitchen.

As I finished my dinner, I struck up a conversation with a couple enjoying a staycation in New York City, one of whom frequently visits Mumbai. Before long, we were deep in discussion about global politics, our favorite restaurants around the globe, and our past and future adventures, including cities like Barcelona and Tokyo that inspire our creativity. We exchanged contact information to arrange another spontaneous evening together—a genuine connection that felt meaningful and could only flourish in a setting like this, crafted so beautifully by our hosts.

Aman Jazz Club

For those who aren’t planning a stay at Aman New York just yet but still crave a taste of Aman’s renowned hospitality, the Jazz Club is open to the public. This speakeasy-inspired venue, designed by Brian Newman—Lady Gaga’s trumpet player—features entertainment that spans from jazz performances to DJ sets. Accessed via a dedicated service elevator on 56th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, the club is located underground in the Crown building. The minimalist design, with plush sofas and large semicircular banquettes surrounding an intimate stage, boasts the same sound system as Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room, sure to delight any audiophile. Cocktails are creatively named after other Aman properties—the Summer Palace, inspired by the Beijing location, combines jasmine-infused gin, champagne, white peach, and lemon—and the small bites menu includes delights like wagyu beef and tuna tartare. Photography and videography are not permitted. Reserve your spot here.