The Surrey
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"A Perfect New York City Stay"
We stayed one night at The Surrey on September 15, 2025, with our 20-month-old daughter. Having been loyal to Corinthia London for over a decade, we chose The Surrey for its Corinthia affiliation — and it exceeded every expectation. From the moment we arrived, service was flawless. The bellman greeted us warmly, managed traffic so we could safely get our daughter out of the car, and handled our luggage with care. At check-in, the team was welcoming and thoughtful, even arranging for one of our rooms to be ready early so our daughter could nap — something no other U.S. hotel has ever done for us. A manager also surprised her with a Surrey-branded toy, which she hasn’t put down since. Our room was among the best we’ve experienced in New York: tasteful modern décor, excellent lighting design, and one of the most comfortable beds we’ve found in the city. The bathroom was spacious, beautifully finished, and clearly designed with both function and aesthetics in mind. Housekeeping and room service were equally polished — efficient, professional, and respectful. Every interaction with the staff reminded us of why we love Corinthia London: service that feels both personal and refined. Checkout was just as smooth as arrival, with valet ready, stanchions set up for safe loading, and the front desk team sending us off with genuine warmth. The only area that fell short was Casa Tua, the on-site restaurant. Breakfast service was slow, the hostess dismissive, and the team seemed overwhelmed. It took over 10 minutes to get a highchair, and simple requests like water and milk for our daughter were forgotten. The food itself was fine but unremarkable. My advice: enjoy the hotel’s superb rooms and service, but dine elsewhere — New York has no shortage of outstanding restaurants nearby. Overall, The Surrey is a rare find in New York: thoughtful hospitality, exceptional rooms, and staff who truly care about the guest experience. We’ve found our new preferred hotel in the city.
"Beautiful Rooms, but The Surrey fell short"
I stayed at The Surrey for 10 days between late April and early May 2025, and while the property is undeniably stunning and many staff members went out of their way to provide thoughtful service, the overall experience did not justify the room rates—especially compared to other luxury brands like Four Seasons or Waldorf. The hotel has recently been renovated, and the rooms are gorgeous, with impeccable design, comfort, and attention to detail. Housekeeping was exceptional, the spa treatment I received was excellent, and thoughtful touches like a surprise birthday cake and personal greetings from staff added warmth to the stay. The location, close to Central Park and museums, is also a highlight. Unfortunately, several issues overshadowed these positives: construction noise from the residences above was not disclosed at check-in, forcing a room change that cost me half a day; the Nespresso machine in my suite failed twice before finally being replaced with a working unit, causing frustrating delays; water pressure was inconsistent between rooms; and on one occasion it took over an hour and multiple calls to receive bottled water. The spa, while relaxing, had a poorly planned layout that allowed the sound of flushing toilets to interrupt treatments. While front door staff were mostly friendly, repeated questions about whether I was dining at the on-site restaurant despite being a long-stay guest came across as inattentive. For a Deluxe Suite costing nearly $3,000 per night, these kinds of oversights and inconveniences are unacceptable. The Surrey is undeniably beautiful, and certain team members provided warm, memorable service, but the operational missteps left the impression of a hotel not yet ready to deliver the seamless luxury experience its prices promise.
"Nice hotel with some issues"
We travel to NYC several times a year and decided to try The Surrey. The location is excellent — close to shopping and plenty of restaurants. Our room was comfortable and well appointed. Unfortunately, our experience at the bar was very disappointing. We had planned to meet our son and his date for a pre-dinner drink, but the doorman told us the bar was full and asked us to wait in the lobby. Over the next 40+ minutes, he reassured us “just a few more minutes,” while we watched a steady stream of people come and go from the bar. Eventually, we gave up and left. It is unacceptable for hotel guests to be denied access to their own hotel’s facilities. Guests should always be given priority. As an older couple, the treatment felt dismissive and disrespectful, which cast a shadow over what otherwise could have been a pleasant stay.
"The Surrey is the complete package! Over the top lovely and elegant!"
This newly renovated hotel is the perfect combination of sophistication and warmth. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with genuine hospitality. The doormen were gracious and charming — Julio (who joked most people call him Julio Iglesias) and Will (who truly has the charisma of an actor!) set the tone right away. At the front desk, Anthony, Margaret, Jonathan, and others greeted us with warmth that felt above and beyond. Our suite overlooking Madison Avenue was beautiful, filled with light and thoughtful design. The walk-in closet and additional half bath were wonderful touches. To my surprise, I was welcomed with a birthday cake and champagne — a gesture that made the experience feel all the more personal. Every single employee we encountered, from the housekeepers to the concierges — Carlos, Johannes, Daniel, and Harald — went out of their way to make us feel special. Their restaurant and jazz recommendations were fantastic, and everyone we passed in the hotel greeted us with a smile. Renee from customer service even called to ensure our stay was to our liking, and I couldn’t help but gush about how exceptional everything was. Casa Tua, the on-site restaurant and bar, was fabulous. With its elegant décor, stunning artwork, books, and sculptures, it felt like dining in a beautiful private home. Don’t miss the bananas foster brioche French toast — it’s divine. The bar has an elegant ambiance, elevated further by hosts with the most charming Italian accents. The complimentary 24-hour car service was another standout — unlike other hotels where it’s limited and rarely available, The Surrey’s car was convenient and reliable, making shopping trips around the city effortless. Between the gracious hospitality and the stunning ambiance, The Surrey exceeded every expectation. This was one of the most memorable birthday celebrations I’ve ever had, and it’s thanks to the extraordinary staff and beautifully reimagined hotel. We cannot wait to return. Thank you to everyone at The Surrey for making our stay so special — it’s a memory I’ll treasure forever.
"Pretentious hotel and restaurant."
I’ve stayed at The Surrey many times, but this was my first visit since the renovation. I was upgraded to a suite, which was beautifully decorated with great attention to detail. Unfortunately, our shower had a leak that caused water to drain into the adjacent toilet — an unpleasant surprise we discovered during the night. The hotel staff were polite and friendly, but our dining experiences were a major letdown. At Casa Tua, service was intrusive to the point where we had to ask our waitress to give us space — instead of apologizing, she took offense. My first course was cleared before I had finished, and the overall feeling was that we were being rushed, despite plenty of empty tables. It detracted from what was otherwise good food. Breakfast the following morning was even worse. Only a handful of tables were occupied, yet service was disorganized. Bacon was burnt, toast was lukewarm, and no one offered to refill our coffee. For the prices charged, the experience felt pretentious rather than luxurious. There are many other hotels in Manhattan that deliver the same level of style with far better service. Sadly, we would not return.
"New York Perfection"
My experience at The Surrey was outstanding! The hotel is beautifully appointed, impeccably maintained, and the interior design captures the perfect NYC elegance. Every staff member I encountered was friendly, attentive, and truly made my stay memorable. I can’t say enough good things about this hotel — it exceeded all expectations!
"Great stay"
The Surrey is perfectly located near shopping and museums, with a neighborhood that can’t be beat. Staff are helpful, service is impeccable, and the on-site restaurant is excellent — delicious food paired with a thoughtful wine list. Highly recommend!
"Well, at least the staff are terrific…"
The Surrey boasts a fantastic location, genuinely wonderful staff, and a lively restaurant, all set within an attractive, newly renovated space. At first glance, the large room I stayed in looked impressive, but on closer inspection, it failed on multiple fronts that are crucial for a luxury hotel. There was no desk, only minimal hanging space for clothes, low water pressure in the shower, and hot water that took far too long to run. Worse, the soundproofing was poor—you could hear every conversation in the corridor. For a property positioned as high-end, these shortcomings reveal fundamental design flaws. It feels as though the owners invested in style over substance, and unfortunately, the cracks—literally in the hallways after only a few months—are already showing. I truly feel for the excellent staff who are left to make up for a guest experience that simply isn’t up to the promised standard.
"Very good Hotel"
This hotel is truly exceptional — the staff go above and beyond to ensure every detail of your stay is comfortable, and the facilities are excellent. The reception team, in particular, stood out with their warmth and professionalism. I’ll definitely be returning!
"Disappointed"
I’m writing this review while still staying at The Surrey. We used to come here often before the renovation, and while the old Surrey might have been a bit dated, it was far better run. The newly reopened Surrey looks beautiful and the staff are generally pleasant and eager to help, but the hotel is clearly still working out major issues. I had requested an early check-in, but upon arriving at 1pm was told our room would hopefully be ready by 2pm. At 3pm—normal check-in time—it still wasn’t. We were eventually given another room that was supposedly in the same class, but in fact it wasn’t. No one offered a rate adjustment at the time, and only after I raised the issue the next morning was I offered a marginal discount. Had I not asked, I would have been charged full price for a lesser room. Housekeeping has also been unreliable. After being out all day, we returned to find our room untouched—dishes from breakfast still there, and no toilet paper or tissues replenished. Only after calling did someone come, and while she was very pleasant and did a nice job, it’s clear the hotel is understaffed. There are positives: the renovation looks polished, the doormen are excellent, and the room service breakfast was both prompt and tasty. But at $1,650 per night, the basics should be flawless—and they simply aren’t. The new Surrey has potential, but for now, it still has a long way to go to live up to its name and its price point.
The Surrey
Located on the Upper East Side, The Surrey offers a blend of residential comfort and hotel luxury. Its rooftop garden and art collection add to its unique charm.
Address
20 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021, United States
Website
https://www.corinthia.com/en-gb/the-surrey/
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
+12127304551