Review: Fouquet’s New York

Why book? For Parisian style and five-star hospitality chops at the first US property from famed French hotel brand Groupe Barriere—the French brand behind Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf in St. Bart's and the historic Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet's in Paris.

Set the scene At a cobblestoned intersection in the Tribeca North Historic District, an industrialist red brick facade gives way to eight floors of ethereal Art Deco interior design straight out of the South of France. Fouquet’s New York’s pastel-colored luxury includes three French dining options, an indulgent underground spa (complete with a sauna, hammam, and hydrotherapy pool), and a Cannes-inspired cinema space true to Tribeca’s popular annual film festival. The theater will host programming like screenings and film premieres, and will be reservable for corporate and artistic events. The street-level outpost of the famed Champs d’Elysee bistro, Fouquet’s restaurant is a destination in itself, with signature red and black bar mirroring its Paris (and Louvre Abu Dhabi) counterpart. A French lavender, mint green, and cream color scheme includes custom-made wallpapers with France-linked illustrations of New York City scenes like Lady Liberty, pizza-eating Central Park goers, and cartoon pigeons with croissants in their beaks.

The backstory Groupe Barrière, the French luxury hotel group known for its Paris and St. Barth’s properties and has been in operation for 110 years, and Caspi Development opened the long-anticipated property on September 29, 2022. The hotel was designed by UK-based Martin Brudnizki Design Studio.

The rooms Two room types and four suite types make up the 97 rooms, all of which boast high ceilings, bordered trim, wood floors, Art Deco style furniture, mirror-hidden TVs, and floor-to-ceiling windows with electronically operated curtain shades. Suites include bathrooms of deep and contrasting two-tone marble, from the large rain shower to his-and-hers sinks, and a seating area with sectional. The apartment-like options feel plucked from the 16th arrondissement thanks to the French-lavender and almond-green color scheme, gold-leaf antiqued mirrors, deep velvet couches, and custom closets. (Even the toilets are ultra-fancy, with automatic opening and closing lids, and a menu of bidet and heated-seat options.) For the ultimate upgrade, the two-story Fouquet's Penthouse suite includes a sprawling terrace overlooking the Hudson and a special jewel-tone Art Deco color scheme inside: The wallpaper is custom here, too, but instead depicts painted expressionist park scenes of weeping willows and manicured gardens. Room rates start at $1,100 per night.

For families Although I saw no families with children on my visit, adjoining suites are available. For larger groups or families, the already massive two-bedroom penthouse can become a three-bedroom behemoth thanks to an optional adjoining suite.

Food and drink The hotel is home to three dining concepts. The flashiest is an outpost of the famed Fouquet’s bistro of the Champs d’Elysee for rich brasserie fare like escargots, steak tartare, and onion soup by Michelin-Starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire; don’t miss the dessert cart’s indulgent pastries, like glacé chocolate-hazelnut cakes and an array of eclairs and cream puffs. For something lighter there’s Par Ici—a lush, greenhouse-style cafe with a vegetarian focus. Also on the ground-level is a sultry cocktail lounge called Titsou. The Fouquet’s space is already making waves in the neighborhood’s high-end dining scene, and all are sure to be a destination for locals and in-the-know visitors alike. The wisteria-shaded rooftop bar, Le Vaux, offers cocktails and views of the Hudson River for guests and members only.

The spa Spa Diane Barrière, located on the lower of the hotel’s two cellar levels, is a true respite among downtown’s cobbled streets. The sight of a heated and jet-equipped hydrotherapy pool greets you at check in, and is flanked by relaxation day beds, a sauna, and a steam room. Massages, body scrubs and wraps, facials, and beauty treatments like manicures are available and use Biologique Recherche products. Massage therapists are attentive and detail oriented when it comes to pressure, aromatherapy options, and access to the pool and saunas. The spa is open to non-guest reservations, which can be made online.

The neighborhood/area Tribeca—the triangle below Canal Street—is a fittingly stylish neighborhood for such a bespoke new lodging option, and it’s easy to see why Barriére and Caspi chose it. The quiet cobblestoned streets and nearby architectural gems like the Woolworth Building compliment the property’s New York-twisted whimsy, and the wide, quiet streets aid an already relaxing atmosphere inside. Fouquet’s is a welcome new addition to the eateries, cafes, and luxe lofts that make up this tony slice of lower Manhattan. While there’s little need to leave for dining, with the three on-site options easily dominating a weekend stay, nearby venues like Locanda Verde and Cafe Atelier could easily sub for the room service and free in-room Nespresso machines.

Accessibility ADA rooms are available, and there are elevators on-site.

The service Staff will make you feel like you’ve been transported to Europe—with perhaps a friendlier flair than Paris—whether you’re checking in or posted up at the bar. Warm servers walk you through every dish and drink option at Fouquet’s and the front desk and door staff are always one step ahead of you with a greeting and wide-open door. Coming back to a turned-down room at night feels like coming home thanks to more than just the apartment-style, well-appointed rooms.

Anything left to mention? Bathrooms and bedrooms are rife with drawer and closet space so you can really settle in as if you were in someone’s home. Perhaps also like being in someone’s home, the walls can feel thin, and sound seems to travel easily. But there’s a stocked in-room mini bar plus music speaker, a programmed iPad for any hotel information you need at your fingertips, and an armoire full of all the glasses and ice buckets you could need. Fouquet’s makes the perfect place to post up for a weekend getaway (or longer) in a cozy and iconic corner of New York’s downtown.