A Journey Through Time: Special Hotels Taking You Into The Past

Since the 1930s, the Carlyle has been a landmark of Manhattan's sophisticated Upper East Side, hosting royalty, heads of state, and Hollywood legends. John F. Kennedy, for instance, stayed at the Carlyle so many times that it was nicknamed New York's White House. In the mid-1990s, the hotel’s manager reportedly shared an elevator ride with Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, and Steve Jobs. This 35-story Art Deco hotel has been owned by the Hong Kong-based Rosewood Group since the early 2000s—and it's more stylish than ever. Over nine decades after its opening, the Carlyle has unveiled its highly anticipated three-year renovation, led by award-winning designer Tony Chi. The guest rooms are inspired by Manhattan's glamorous prewar era, featuring subtle Art Deco details—a nod to the hotel's original designer and the pioneer of modern baroque style, Dorothy Draper. Even the Bemelmans Bar, the city's most famous hotel bar, continues to serve up a splash of bygone glamour with every cocktail.