The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park

Hotel description

It’s hard to believe this is Manhattan. No other hotel in New York offers a view like this one, taking in the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and all of New York Harbor. Like everything in real estate, it’s down to location; in this case, Battery Park City, at the southern tip of Manhattan, so far downtown it’s not even downtown anymore. Then again, this hotel’s target demographic cares little for the downtown scene — what counts, in this case, is that Wall Street and the Financial District are just steps away.

This hotel dispenses with the usual manor-house theme of the Ritz-Carlton chain, instead outfitting itself in an updated Art Deco style, guest rooms trading frilly fabrics and plump antiques for clean lines, muted colors and spare, minimalist furnishings. Windows open to admit the harbor breeze and the marble baths come with separate showers and bathtubs, one welcome nod to the chain’s European philosophy. And all the familiar trappings of the Ritz-Carlton experience are available here, from the Bath Butler to British-style afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge.

The 2 West restaurant is a French-inflected New York-style steakhouse, with an encyclopedic wine list and a stunning view of Battery Park and the Hudson through full-length windows. More spectacularly located, however, is Rise, the 14th-floor terrace bar overlooking the Statue of Liberty — this is the view that sold the Ritz-Carlton to the condominium owners on the floors above the hotel.