You know that feeling when you step off a chaotic New York City subway at 79th Street and suddenly the world just... quiets down? That’s the Upper West Side for you. It’s leafy. It’s brownstone-heavy. And right there, anchoring the corner of 79th and Amsterdam, sits The Lucerne Hotel Manhattan New York.
It’s pink. Well, terra cotta, technically.
Built in 1904, this place isn’t trying to be a glass-and-steel skyscraper. Honestly, it would look ridiculous if it tried. Designed by Harry Mulliken and Edgar Moeller, the building is a massive, unapologetic example of Beaux-Arts architecture. It’s got those deep red bricks and ornate stone carvings that make you feel like you should be carrying a leather suitcase and wearing a pocket watch.
Most people visiting NYC gravitate toward the bright lights of Times Square. Big mistake. Huge. Unless you enjoy being elbowed by a guy in a dusty Elmo suit, you’re better off heading uptown. The Lucerne is basically the gateway to a version of Manhattan that actually feels livable.
The Vibe Check: What It’s Actually Like Inside
Walking into the lobby is a trip. It’s not "modern chic" or "minimalist." It’s grand. We’re talking dark wood, high ceilings, and a sense of permanence. While many Manhattan hotels feel like they were decorated by a corporate committee obsessed with the color gray, The Lucerne feels like a residence.
The rooms? They’re surprisingly big. New York hotel rooms are notorious for being the size of a walk-in closet where you have to jump over your suitcase to get to the bathroom. Not here. Because it’s an older building, the floor plans are generous. You get high ceilings. You get windows that actually let in light. You get a desk that you can actually work at without knocking over your coffee.
But let’s be real for a second. It’s an old building. If you’re looking for a high-tech "smart room" where you control the curtains with an iPad, you’re in the wrong place. The charm is in the creaks and the history. It’s a place for people who appreciate the fact that the hallways feel like they’ve seen a century of stories.
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Location, Location, Location (For Real This Time)
If you stay at The Lucerne Hotel Manhattan New York, you are essentially living in a movie set.
- The Museum of Natural History: It’s two blocks away. You can go see the dinosaurs and be back in your room for a nap before the school groups even finish lunch.
- Central Park: Also two blocks away. Specifically, the Strawberry Fields and Bethesda Terrace area. It’s the perfect distance for a morning run or a "I’m pretending to be a local" stroll.
- Zabar’s: It’s a 10-minute walk. If you don't go there for a bagel and some smoked salmon, did you even visit the Upper West Side?
- Riverside Park: Often ignored by tourists, but it’s right there to the west. Great for sunset views over the Hudson River.
That Time the Lucerne Made the Headlines
We have to talk about it. In 2020, the Lucerne became the center of a massive NYC debate. During the height of the pandemic, the city moved several hundred homeless men into the hotel to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in crowded shelters.
It was a mess.
Neighborhood groups sued. Advocacy groups protested. It became a flashpoint for the "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) vs. social justice debate that defined New York during that era. For a while, if you Googled the hotel, you didn't see reviews of the beds; you saw news clips of heated community board meetings.
By late 2021, the temporary shelter program ended, and the hotel underwent a significant refresh to return to its standard operations. Today, it’s back to being a luxury boutique hotel, but that chapter is part of its modern DNA. It’s a reminder that New York hotels aren’t just places to sleep—they are active participants in the city’s complicated social fabric.
Eating and Drinking Near 79th Street
One of the best perks of staying here is Nice Matin. It’s the French bistro attached to the hotel.
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Now, usually, hotel restaurants are overpriced traps. This is the exception. Nice Matin is a neighborhood staple. People who live in the multi-million dollar apartments on Central Park West actually eat here. The doors are often wide open in the summer, and the sidewalk seating is some of the best people-watching in the city. Get the Grand Aioli. Or the burger. Seriously.
If you wander a few blocks south, you hit Jacob’s Pickles. It’s loud. It’s crowded. The biscuits are the size of your head. It’s quintessential UWS. Or, if you want something quieter, go to Lucerne's neighbor, any of the small wine bars tucked away on Amsterdam Avenue.
The Logistics Nobody Tells You
The 1 train is right there. The B and C trains are a short walk away.
Getting to Midtown takes about 10 minutes. Getting to Wall Street takes 25. You’re connected, but you’re insulated. That’s the magic trick of the The Lucerne Hotel Manhattan New York. You can do the tourist stuff, get exhausted by the noise, and then retreat to a neighborhood where the loudest sound is someone walking a Golden Retriever.
One thing to keep in mind: The elevators. They are "classic." Which is a nice way of saying they aren't the fastest in the world. If you're in a rush to catch a Broadway show, give yourself an extra five minutes. It’s part of the vintage experience.
Is It Worth the Price?
Manhattan hotel prices are insane. Let’s not sugarcoat it. You can easily spend $500 a night for a room with a view of a brick wall in Midtown.
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The Lucerne usually hits a sweet spot. It’s "affordable luxury." You’re getting a four-star experience and a prime location for often significantly less than what you’d pay three miles south. It’s popular with families because of the suite options and with European travelers who appreciate the old-world aesthetic.
Why You Might Hate It (Honesty Policy)
Look, I'm a fan, but it’s not for everyone.
If you want ultra-modern, glass-walled showers and a rooftop bar with a DJ, go to the Meatpacking District. If you want a lobby that looks like a spaceship, stay in Hudson Yards. The Lucerne is for the person who wants to feel like they’ve "arrived" in old New York. It’s for people who read The New Yorker and want to be close to the New-York Historical Society.
It’s cozy. It’s a bit quirky. It’s very, very Upper West Side.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
If you’re planning to book a stay at The Lucerne Hotel Manhattan New York, do these things to actually enjoy the experience:
- Request a Corner Room: The building’s shape allows for some killer views of the Amsterdam Avenue architecture. It makes the room feel even bigger.
- Skip the Hotel Breakfast: No offense to the hotel, but you are in the land of bagels. Walk to H&H Bagels or Zabar's. It’s a rite of passage.
- Use the 79th Street Transverse: If you need to get to the East Side (the Met or the Guggenheim), don't take a long taxi ride around the park. Take the M79-SBS bus or a quick cab through the park's "secret" transverse road. It’s way faster.
- Check the Event Calendar: The Museum of Natural History often has late-night events or planetarium shows. Staying at the Lucerne means you can just walk home afterward while everyone else is fighting for an Uber.
- Explore the Side Streets: The blocks between Broadway and Riverside Drive (77th through 83rd streets) have some of the most beautiful residential architecture in the world. Walk them at dusk when the lamps come on.
The Lucerne isn't just a hotel; it’s a vibe. It represents a version of New York that still values history over hype. It’s reliable. It’s comfortable. And honestly, in a city that’s constantly changing, there’s something really nice about a place that knows exactly what it is.
Next Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of your stay at The Lucerne Hotel Manhattan New York, start by mapping out your "UWS Morning." Secure a reservation at Nice Matin for dinner at least 48 hours in advance, especially on weekends when the locals swarm the place. If you're visiting during the holidays, book your room at least three months out; the proximity to the Thanksgiving Day Parade route (just a block away) makes this one of the most sought-after spots in the city during November. Finally, check the current exhibition schedule at the New-York Historical Society—it’s right around the corner and often has incredible, deep-dive displays on the city's evolution that most tourists completely miss.