The Lotte New York Palace

The Lotte New York Palace is situated at one of Manhattan’s most prestigious addresses, occupying a full city block in Midtown East at 455 Madison Avenue. Located between East 50th and 51st Streets, the hotel is positioned directly across from the historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral, providing many guest rooms with unobstructed views of the cathedral's Gothic spires. This central location serves as an ideal hub for both high-end leisure and business, placing guests within a five-minute walk of Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Major cultural landmarks like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Theater District are roughly a 10-minute walk away, while Central Park is less than a mile to the north. The property is well-connected to the rest of the city, with the 51st Street subway station (6, E, M lines) and Grand Central Terminal just a short stroll from its iconic wrought-iron courtyard entrance. 

Lotte New York Palace is rooted in a harmonious duality that bridges 19th-century Gilded Age opulence with sleek, 21st-century urbanity. Its foundational philosophy centers on the meticulous preservation of the Villard Houses—a neo-Italian Renaissance landmark modeled after Rome's Palazzo della Cancelleria—which serves as a grand, historic "gateway" to a modern 55-story tower. This "townhouse in the sky" approach, particularly in The Towers, aims to create an intimate, residential feel through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and bespoke art, ensuring that contemporary luxury feels grounded in architectural legacy. The design extends to the iconic courtyard, which draws inspiration from Michelangelo’s Piazza del Campidoglio to function as a public sanctuary that honors the past while facilitating modern metropolitan life. 

The architectural design of the Lotte New York Palace is a grand fusion of Gilded Age heritage and modern luxury. The hotel's historic base, known as the Villard Houses, was commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Villard and designed in 1882 by the renowned firm McKim, Mead & White. Architect Joseph Morrill Wells of the firm is credited with the Italian Renaissance Revival style, modeled after the Palazzo Cancelleria in Rome. The original complex consists of six brownstone townhouses arranged in a U-shape around a central courtyard, featuring elaborate interiors with work by artists such as John La Farge and sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. In the late 1970s, developer Harry Helmsley expanded the site by adding a 51-story bronze-colored aluminum and glass tower designed by Emery Roth & Sons. This modern addition, completed in 1980, seamlessly integrates with the historic mansions, preserving the landmarked 19th-century facade while providing contemporary hotel accommodations. 

The hotel opened in 1981 as The Helmsley Palace and remained under Helmsley's ownership until the early 1990s, when it was sold to the Sultan of Brunei following a high-profile bankruptcy. In May 2015, the property was acquired for $805 million by Lotte Hotels & Resorts, a South Korean luxury hotel operator, which rebranded it to its current name. Most recently, in late 2025, reports indicated that Lotte Hotels & Resorts further solidified its position by acquiring the land beneath the hotel for approximately $490 million. 

Fairmont hotel Ha Noi

Fairmont Hanoi, which opened in February 2026 at 10 Tran Nguyen Han Street, is strategically located at the gateway of the city's historic Old Quarter in the Hoan Kiem District. Positioned perfectly between the colonial-style French Quarter and the traditional "36 streets" of the Old Quarter, the hotel offers unrivaled access to major cultural landmarks, including a 2-minute walk to the serene Hoan Kiem Lake and a 7-minute walk to the iconic Hanoi Opera House. Visitors are within easy reach of the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (5-minute walk) and St. Joseph's Cathedral (10-minute walk), while the thriving central business district is also nearby. The property is approximately 25 km from Noi Bai International Airport, typically a 35–40 minute drive via the Nhat Tan Bridge. 

Designed by Perkins Eastman and Aston Design, the Fairmont Hanoi (opening 2026) embodies a "heritage-meets-modern" philosophy, blending Indochina style with Vietnamese lacquer art, Red River alluvial tones, and local cultural motifs. The design creates a "serene, layered space" using Art Deco influences and curated floral concepts to reflect the Old Quarter's charm. 

Designed by the world-renowned firms Perkins Eastman and Aston Design, Fairmont Hanoi is a 6-star luxury landmark that bridges the city’s storied past with a sophisticated modern identity. The architectural narrative is rooted in extensive research into the culture, history, and art of Thang Long (the ancient name for Hanoi), drawing significant inspiration from the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long to achieve a sense of clarity and permanence. 

Fairmont Hanoi is a 6-star hotel development by Gelex Group in collaboration with operator Accor. Located in Hoan Kiem District, the project features 241 rooms and is designed by Perkins Eastman and Aston Design with architecture inspired by Vietnamese culture, art, and lacquerware. Construction, which began in 2023, is handled by Central Cons. 

The hotel features 241 guestrooms and suites inspired by Indochine elegance and dynastic motifs. Standard rooms like the Fairmont King (41 sqm) include Le Labo amenities, Marshall speakers, and Nespresso machines. Larger accommodations include One-Bedroom Suites (88-94 sqm) with separate living spaces and the prestigious Presidential Suite featuring a private balcony and city views. Guests staying in Fairmont Gold rooms or suites receive exclusive access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge, a "hotel within a hotel" experience offering personalized service, complimentary breakfast, and afternoon canapés. The Cirua Spa & Wellness Club is a massive 3,500 sqm (38,000 sq. ft) sanctuary. Facilities include a signature bathhouse with hydrotherapy, ten private treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness studio, and a rooftop pool. 

There are eight dining and bar venues on-site. Highlights include:

• Bacco Italian Eatery: Led by Michelin-starred Chef Nicolas Isnard, serving Mediterranean and Italian cuisine.

• Tran Dynasty: Featuring progressive Vietnamese cuisine by Chef Luke Nguyen.

• Hiryu: A modern Japanese restaurant focused on Omakase and Teppanyaki.

• YY Bar and 8 Saville Row: Sophisticated cocktail bars for evening gatherings.

• Ballrooms & Events: The hotel offers nearly 4,000 sqm of event space, including the Old Quarter's largest pillarless ballroom at 1,100 sqm. It also features the Signature Ballroom (300 sqm) and a Junior Ballroom with natural light, both equipped with advanced AV systems like immersive LED walls.