This 19th-century mansion in New York’s NoMad neighbourhood (“North of Madison Square Park”) has an illustrious past. It was once the home of socialite Charlotte Goodridge, before becoming a bank and an Italianate mansion, which is what guests will recognise most today. Checking in at the lobby is like stepping back into New York’s Gilded Age: there are two cabinets of curiosities, filled with crystals, plus crushed velvet sofas and wallpaper that looks like a Rousseau painting. Service is similarly decadent, and guests in every room category have access to a butler.
Detail is everything. The Swedish designer Martin Brudnizki did the interiors in his signature playful style. Walls by the lifts are in pleated pink silk, with tassels from Samuel & Sons, one of America’s oldest tassel makers. Lamp sconces have decorative birds or hands on them. Bevelled glass and twinkly chandeliers lend it a bygone, romantic feel. Rooms, depending on which side of the hotel they’re on, have fun wallpaper that is pink and jungly or forest-green pastoral scenes. Downstairs, the main hangouts are vibey Italian Café Carmellini and the smouldering, dimly lit Portrait Bar, both only-in-New-York spots.
Overall score 9/10
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Rooms and suites 
Score 9/10
Boudoir-style accommodation is split into the newer 24-storey glass tower, built on the spot of an old carriage house, and the original mansion overlooking Fifth Avenue. All are lively, colourful and very Gatsby in feel, although undeniably modern — the lights, curtains and even the TV are controlled with a tablet. Across both there are 110 rooms and 43 suites, with fun bubblegum-pink doors. The smallest room is a City King, but by New York standards it’s wonderfully spacious — with cosy chairs and lovely street views — while the tower’s studio suites mimic a New York apartment.
On the opposite side of the building, the mansion suites follow a maximal and fantastical design scheme: think tasselled lamps; fresh flowers in fat vases; ceiling lights hung from gold stars; teal walls with hand moulding. A jolly green room divider separates the bedroom from a small lounge, lit by a Murano glass chandelier dangling with glass fruit. There’s also a hidden “Maxi Bar”, where everything is complimentary bar the alcohol, and a mini cabinet of welcome goodies from Café Carmellini (the hotel’s fine dining restaurant) in each room. The wallpaper continues into the bathrooms, which have double sinks, rainforest showers (suites have baths) and big mirrors.
Food and drink 
Score 9/10
The main hangout is Café Carmellini, run by eponymous chef Andrew. It’s a buzzy, stylish NoMad spot that is never not busy — guests don’t get priority access, but can book tables via their butler. Expect wood panelling, three-tier chandeliers, large windows, crushed velvet and leather banquettes. The menu is seasonal and split into four sections — crudo, appetisers, a pasta course and then mains (don’t miss the fresh pastas) — and the wine list is truly extensive (the hotel has some 15,000 bottles).
Nightcaps are best taken in the Portrait Bar, all dark wood, mirrors and, as the name suggests, portraits arranged as stylish gallery walls. There are cocktails inspired by geography in the evening — try the soju-based Mapo District from Seoul, or the St James (described as “Bramble meets English milk punch”) with Earl Grey gin from London — and coffee, tea and snacks until 10am.
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What else is there? 
Score n/a
There are some event spaces — including the former bank vault underground, now a private room for wine tasting or entertaining, plus the study and conservatory that are used as ad-hoc co-working spaces — but no pool or spa. There is a gym on site, though, or butlers can hook you up with local fitness partners (including SoulCycle and Barry’s). There’s valet parking for an additional cost.
Where is it? 
Score 9/10
On the corner of West 28 Street and bouji Fifth Avenue, in the NoMad district, close to the Flatiron building. It’s newly fashionable but far less ostentatious than uptown, with upscale restaurants — such as Eleven Madison Park and Daniel Boulud’s French-American steakhouse La Tête d’Or — and luxury hotels (the Ritz-Carlton NoMad, the Ned and Ace). The benefit of staying here is that most of New York is walkable: Midtown is a 20-minute stroll, downtown about double that. The biggest draws here are the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden and Broadway.
Price room-only doubles from £741
Restaurant mains from £25
Family-friendly Y
Accessible Y
Cathy Adams was a guest of the Fifth Avenue Hotel (thefifthavenuehotel.com)
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