There are a few places in New York that feel like an escape within the city—and for us, The Lowell is at the top of that list. Tucked away on a quiet street just off Madison Avenue, it’s the kind of place where time slows down, the staff remembers your name, and every detail feels effortlessly elegant. The moment we arrived, it was like the outside noise dimmed.
We checked in for a little summer reset— and our day started with an iced tea in hand, gallery-hopping plans loosely mapped out. First up: a visit to the Frick Collection, newly reopened after a stunning renovation by Selldorf Architects. Just a 10-minute walk from the hotel, it’s one of those places that always feels special—but now, even more so. The refreshed space not only breathes new life into the galleries but also opens up the second floor to the public for the first time. Wandering through its rooms again felt like visiting old friends, only this time with a fresh perspective. It’s a quiet kind of magic, and being that close made it the easiest kind of outing.
After drinks, we found ourselves at a table on the new Sidewalk Café—laid-back. We went for the Moroccan Mint Iced Tea (spiked, of course), and now we can’t stop thinking about it. Cool, lightly sweet, and full of fresh herbs. There’s also a floral Majorelle blend and a citrusy one that tastes like pure sunshine. Total summer-in-the-city energy.
Back at The Lowell, we celebrated our cultural fix the only way that felt right—cocktails at Jacques Bar. Their Frick-inspired cocktail menu is short but thoughtful, with drinks that nod to specific artworks. We tried the Negroni Sbagliato (light, fizzy, and exactly what we needed) and the Orange Blossoms, which came with a little backstory. It’s those small, intentional touches that always get us at the Lowell.
Then came the moment we’d been looking forward to all day: The Lily of the Valley Afternoon Tea collaboration with Dior Maison is still going strong a year in, and it’s every bit as beautiful as it sounds. Served on custom Limoges porcelain, it’s a dreamy lineup of dainty sandwiches, warm scones, and the prettiest pink lemon cake. We went with the Jardin Bleu tea—a velvety black blend with wild strawberry and rhubarb—and sat there sipping like we had nowhere else to be. There’s even a Children’s Afternoon Tea, which made us quietly plan a return visit with the family!
As the sun dipped lower, we ended our day with dinner at Majorelle. Classic, cozy, and exactly the kind of place where one glass of wine turns into three, and the conversation lingers well past dessert. The absolute best end to a perfectly unrushed day.