Kristall had an energy and passion that mirrors the intentionality of each detail found in the lifestyle brand. The French-inspired boutique hotel, located in Tribeca on the corner of Desbrosses and Greenwich St was designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. “You walk out of the front doors, you’re in New York. But on a rainy day with the cobblestone streets, when you run back in, you immediately walk into Paris,” says Kristall. 

The lobby, warm and welcoming, is arranged with wood paneling, vintage inspired furniture and a citrus color palette to match. What we felt immediately, was a sense of elegance with hints of nostalgia. The ambiance appeared as though we had stepped into a different era, chic and serene, yet with an aura of understated luxury – it felt like Paris.

Within our first few moments inside, we fell in love with the hotel’s custom scent from France and were mesmerized by the museum’s worth of art to admire. The pieces, commissioned by American and French artists, are expanded upon more in-depth in the “Expérience Artistique,” a guidebook found in each room.

After checking in, our first instinct was to visit the roof. The Le Vaux Rooftop Terrace, encapsulated by lush greenery, shades of purple and cream scalloped umbrellas, was the perfect resting place from the city. We hid under the trees, enjoying a glass of white wine and some small bites. Inspired by the gardens of Versailles and Vaux-Le-Vicomte, it reflects the refined taste of Paris – romantic and beautiful, yet graceful and subtle.

The 97 rooms in the hotel are as intimate as they are pristine – floor-to-ceiling marble in the powder rooms, hand-painted borders and hues of pink pastel and mint green throughout. While the focus is on comfort, each detail was meticulously selected, down to the delicate fringe on the lampshades, consistent all over the hotel.

The team agreed that our favorite room was the Tribeca Corner Suite, room 403. The suite, which features the same design and color palette as the others, has a distinct marble pattern in the bathroom, a deep soaking tub, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the quiet yet scenic neighborhood.

The only room that features a different Fouquet’s style is the penthouse, one of our favorite hotel spaces we’ve stepped into in New York City. The influence of the South of France is felt with a mix of gold, mustard yellow and oceanic blues. The two-floor space felt like a prestigious Parisian home with silk drapes, velvet upholstery and pleated wallpaper, accompanying the dining room, custom millwork and high ceilings. With multiple patios that showcase different views of the city, the penthouse is often used for photoshoots and private events.

On Saturday evening, we dined at the hotel’s restaurant Brasserie Fouquet’s New York. In an atmosphere of glamour and exclusivity, the restaurant is styled with plush red velvet chairs, crystal chandeliers and crisp white tablecloths as an ode to the original location in Paris. There is an energy of anticipation, a feeling of being in the midst of something incredible. For us, as we peered through the curtains, it was the lights flashing from the paparazzi outside. A-listers were entering and departing from an event – a common occurrence at the hotel.

Known to host gatherings for brands or individuals in the neighborhood, Fouquet’s Hotel, which opened in October of 2022, is an introduction to a larger brand established in France, Group Barrière. The third-generation family-run enterprise acquired Fouquet’s restaurant and the surrounding property on the Champs-Élysées in France in 2006. The dream was to turn Fouquet’s into a lifestyle brand. “Not many people have had the opportunity to merge a 100-plus-year-old French hotel company with a 70-plus-year-old French restaurant,” says Kristall. With hotels all over the world, Fouquet’s is a unique collection for the brand, with locations strictly in New York and Paris. 

As our evening came to a close, we came across Titsu, the speakeasy bar. The entrance, through an often overlooked wooden door in the lobby, hides a world of mystery and romance. The lighting is dark and moody, with an intimate and swanky feel. It feels like the perfect spot for a date night or an evening with girlfriends. In our case, we indulged in a nightcap. It was a twist on a classic negroni, the perfect elixir to end our weekend and put us to bed.