Is Baccarat Hotel and Residences New York worth it? Honest pros and cons
Short answer: Yes, Baccarat Hotel and Residences New York is worth it if you want a central Midtown Manhattan stay with high-end French dining, a dedicated La Mer spa, and a guest-only heated indoor pool. It’s less compelling if you’re budget-focused—onsite meals, valet parking and many services carry extra charges.
In this guide
Location and neighbourhood — very central for Midtown sightseeing
The hotel sits at 28 West 53rd Street, directly across from MoMA and within easy walking distance of Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping, Radio City Music Hall, and Central Park. Several major subway stations and Broadway theatres are a short walk away.
For short stays focused on museums, shopping, or shows, the location saves transit time and taxis; street-level access and a dedicated house car for short chauffeured rides are additional conveniences the property lists.
- Across the street from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Steps from Fifth Avenue and about a 1-minute walk to Rockefeller Center
- Central Park and Times Square roughly an 8-minute walk
| Nearby landmark | Approx. walk time (hotel materials) |
|---|---|
| Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) | 1–2 minutes |
| Rockefeller Center / Fifth Avenue | About 1–5 minutes |
| Central Park / Times Square | About 8 minutes |
Rooms and suites — classic, crystal-themed design
Guest accommodations are presented as residential-style rooms and suites with names such as Classic Room, Classic Suite, Grand Room (Harcourt), Room (Atelier), Suite (The Prestige Suite), and Suite, 1 Bedroom (Harcourt). The hotel lists 114 rooms and suites in total.
Room types include single-bedroom suites and four-poster/canopy bed layouts in several categories; the property emphasizes refined, marble-accented bathrooms and crystal details throughout the design.
- Exact room names used by the hotel: Classic Room; Classic Suite; Classic Room (Grand Classic); Classic Room (Grand); Suite (The Prestige Suite); Room (Atelier); Grand Room (Harcourt); Suite, 1 Bedroom (Harcourt).
- All rooms include complimentary Wi‑Fi and standard in-room amenities; in-room rollaway beds are available for a fee.
| Example room | Bed configuration (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Classic Room | 1 King Bed |
| Classic Room (Grand Classic) | 2 Double Beds |
| Grand Room (Harcourt) | 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds |
Dining and bars — French-focused, reservations recommended
The Grand Salon serves French cuisine for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner beneath a large Baccarat chandelier; breakfast is available for an extra charge rather than included with rooms. Reservations are accepted and encouraged, especially for non-hotel guests.
The Bar is a 60-foot cocktail counter with craft cocktails and wine, and an outdoor terrace overlooking MoMA. Both venues publish dress guidelines and have reservation or minimum-spend rules for certain parties.
- Grand Salon hours: Mon–Sat 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Sun 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- The Bar typically opens in the late afternoon; reservations accepted for small parties with a per-person minimum in some cases
- Afternoon Tea is offered with advance reservations recommended (up to 30 days)
| Venue | Style / notes |
|---|---|
| Grand Salon | French restaurant; breakfast, lunch, dinner, Afternoon Tea; breakfast sold separately |
| The Bar | Cocktail bar with terrace; reservations/minimums may apply |
Facilities: spa, pool and fitness
Spa de La Mer is the hotel’s full-service spa and the first dedicated La Mer spa in the U.S.; it lists four treatment rooms including couples’ rooms, a steam room and sauna. Spa hours and treatment reservations are posted by the property.
La Piscine is a heated 55-foot indoor pool (with whirlpool) on the -2 floor reserved for hotel guests; spa treatments include pool access and guests can reserve 90-minute pool cabanas subject to availability.
- La Piscine: heated 55-foot pool with whirlpool; open daily 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; guest-only access
- Spa de La Mer hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.; Fri–Sun 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; minimum age for treatments/locker use is 18
- Fitness studio (Bonne Santé) is open 24 hours with Technogym and Woodway equipment and a freestyle room for yoga/Pilates
| Facility | Key detail |
|---|---|
| La Piscine (pool) | 55-foot heated indoor pool; pool hours 7am–9pm; for hotel guests only |
| Spa de La Mer | Treatment rooms, steam room and sauna; spa treatments include pool access |
| Bonne Santé fitness studio | Open 24 hours; dedicated personal training program |
Service, accessibility and pet policy
The hotel maintains a 24-hour front desk, concierge services, luggage/valet and offers airport transfers and chauffeured car service for a surcharge; valet parking and nearby paid self-parking are available (fees apply).
Pets (dogs and cats) are permitted with a one-time, non-refundable fee and a two-pet maximum with weight limits; service animals are exempt. The hotel is smoke-free and wheelchair accessible with some limitations noted by the property.
- Check-in begins at 4:00 PM; check-out is 12:00 PM (noon); early/late options are subject to availability
- Pet policy: one-time non-refundable fee, two-pet maximum, weight limits apply; pets may not be left unattended
- Valet parking and airport shuttle/transfer options exist but carry extra charges
| Practical detail | What the hotel lists |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in 4:00 PM; check-out 12:00 PM (early/late by availability) |
| Parking | Valet parking for a fee; no free parking on-site |
| Wi‑Fi | Complimentary for all guests |
Who should book — and who should skip it
Good fit: travelers wanting a centrally located, design-forward Midtown stay with on-site French dining, a recognized luxury spa and a private indoor pool. The hotel’s location is a genuine advantage for museum- and theatre-focused itineraries.
Less suitable: travelers prioritizing value over service or those who expect meals, parking or transfers to be included; many services carry separate charges and the hotel positions itself in the luxury tier.
- Book if you value on-site spa and pool access, proximity to MoMA and Rockefeller Center, and an upscale dining/bar program.
- Skip if you need an economical base with included meals, free parking, or minimal extra fees.
| Priority | Should you choose Baccarat? |
|---|---|
| Location & culture (museums, shopping, shows) | Yes |
| Low-cost overnight stay | Probably not |
| Spa/pool-focused luxury | Yes |
