Where to stay
The Peninsula
For the girls who want full luxury, white-glove service, and a Gossip Girl moment the second they step out of the cab, The Peninsula New York is the assignment. Sitting right on Fifth Avenue, this iconic hotel is giving old-money elegance with just the right amount of modern glam. It’s polished, iconic, and honestly makes you feel important before you’ve even checked in. The rooms are massive by NYC standards – which, if you know New York hotels, is basically unheard of. Expect plush bedding, marble bathrooms, skyline views, and the kind of luxury touches that make you suddenly understand why rich people love room service.
The Wall Street Hotel
If you prefer your luxury with a side of downtown cool, The Wall Street Hotel is the insider pick. Tucked away in the Financial District, it’s a world away from Midtown’s tourist frenzy, offering a more understated kind of glamour that feels very “off-duty fashion editor.” Housed within a beautifully restored Beaux-Arts building, the hotel balances old New York grandeur with playful, contemporary touches – think jewel-toned velvet, whimsical artwork and interiors that feel collected rather than curated for Instagram.
Virgin Hotels New York City
Set in NoMad, this stylish stay strikes the perfect balance between fun and functionality, offering a more attainable way to tap into NYC’s boujee hotel scene. The rooms are cleverly designed with Virgin’s signature two-part layout – ideal when sharing with your bestie – alongside plush beds, mood lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Manhattan skyline. The real draw, however, is the rooftop. Home to the always-buzzy Pool Club, it’s one of those rare New York spots where locals and visitors mingle over cocktails as the Empire State Building glows in the background.
Where to sip and yap
La Compagnie, Centre Street
Hidden behind an unassuming façade in Tribeca, La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels is the kind of place you casually drop into and immediately feel cooler for knowing about. The candlelit wine bar has mastered that elusive French-girl effortlessness: intimate tables, a crowd that is perpetually well-dressed, and an expertly curated list of wines available by the glass. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or just someone who orders based on what sounds chic, the staff will happily guide you through it.
Pen Top
Perched high above Fifth Avenue, the rooftop bar at The Peninsula New York is where you go when you’re in the mood for a proper New York moment. With sweeping views across Midtown, expect cocktails that are almost too pretty to drink. Time your visit for sunset and watch the city shift from golden hour to glittering skyline, preferably with a martini in hand and an outfit you planned your entire suitcase around.
Experimental Cocktail Club
Tucked above the bustle of Chinatown, Experimental Cocktail Club feels like stumbling upon the coolest secret in the city. Hidden behind an unassuming entrance, the Paris-born speakeasy has all the ingredients of a quintessential New York night out: a little mystery and a lot of atmosphere. Come for pre-dinner drinks and don’t be surprised if you end up staying for hours.
Where to eat
Frevo
Hidden behind an art gallery in Greenwich Village, the intimate Michelin-starred restaurant seats just a handful of guests around an open kitchen, turning every course into part of the performance. The tasting menu boasts beautifully executed French-inspired dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Yes, it’s a splurge, but this is the kind of meal you’ll talk about long after you’ve flown home.
Ella Funt
Part restaurant, part downtown scene, Ella Funt is where you go when dinner deserves to be just as fun as the after-party. Tucked away in the East Village, the mood is unapologetically glamorous: low lighting, velvet banquettes, a soundtrack that gradually turns up as the night unfolds, and a crowd that looks like they all have somewhere fabulous to be next. The menu leans French with a playful edge – think indulgent pastas, perfectly executed classics and plates designed for sharing – while the martinis are reason enough to book a table.
Nama
Hidden inside the ultra-luxe Aman New York, Nama channels a serene, design-led take on Japanese dining where everything feels intentionally slow, minimal and impossibly polished. Think soft lighting, natural materials, and a dining room so hushed it makes even New York feel like it’s been put on mute. Expensive, yes, but entirely worth it.
Where to dance
Pacha New York
Fan’s of Cosmo’s bi-annual Fashion Ladies’ Night at FIVE Palm Jumeirah – this one is for you. The same team behind one of our favourite nights out in Dubai have just opened Pacha New York. So if your itinerary calls for at least one “I’ll sleep when I’m home” kind of night, make it a table here. The legendary Ibiza institution has officially landed in Brooklyn, taking over the former Brooklyn Mirage space and bringing its signature cherry-stamped hedonism stateside.
Next, check out the boujee to budget guide to London!