When the first iteration of The Surrey opened in 1926, it became a preferred spot for popular actors like Ethel Merman and Claudette Colbert. And while the iconic Upper East Side property enjoyed its time in the spotlight, it was forced to close in 2020. But it’s getting an exciting encore.
Corinthia Hotels stepped in for a head-to-toe makeover of the Manhattan hotel that wrapped up in October, marking the Malta-founded brand’s North America debut. Corinthia, known for its portfolio of luxurious boutique hotels, has successfully pulled off this high-wire transformation, even if, from the exterior, things appear to have stayed put. Inside, however, the Martin Brudnizki-designed, 100-room hotel emanates a fresh energy befitting the city while still showing respect to The Surrey’s stellar past.
Forbes Travel Guide recently got a firsthand look at the updated address. Here’s our take on the “new” star in town everyone wants to meet. A local legend The Surrey re-joins an esteemed group of Upper East Side legends.
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel and Four-Star The Mark sit less than a block away. The Surrey’s building boasts an impressive history as a landmark, a quintessentially uptown Manhattan hangout during the silver screen’s golden age, as luminaries such as Bette Davis and John F. Kennedy either lived or stayed at the swanky, discreet residential hotel.
The 16-story building’s white-marbled Beaux-Arts facade on tree-lined East 76t.
