The Weekend Financial Times described this new hotel as the "most expensive in New York" (more than double the price of the existing best Manhattan hotels) and it currently has a policy that only Aman members and guests of the hotel can enter the hotel.
Simon (Director of Marketing for the hotel) made an exception for me and I was mesmerised by all the elegance of it all.
This 83 suite hotel is just off 5th Avenue by Bvlgari. Simon and enjoyed a glass of champagne on the outside terrace with its water features & fire pits. It was a joy to chat with this hotel professional and he then took me on a tour of the Japanese restaurant, spa, pool etc
I was astonished by the quiet calm of the place and quality of the Japanese wood in the restaurant etc. At times you feel you are in an Asian resort, rather than in bustling Manhattan. Roland Fasel (who I know from his time as General Manager of The Dorchester) is COO of Aman Group. He was staying in the hotel & can be justifiably be proud of what they have achieved in Manhattan. A '7 teddy' hotel for certain. I have a candle from the spa to remember all this.