The Whitby Hotel
18 West 56th Street • New York, NY 10019
thewhitbyhotel.com • 212-586-5656
“Location, location, location” is a familiar catchphrase in the real estate industry, implying that a property’s “where” bears repeating, three times at least, and that alone often makes up for other shortfalls. No so with The Whitby Hotel, set in the heart of Midtown Manhattan only a stone’s throw from Fifth Avenue, Central Park, The Museum of Modern Art, and Carnegie Hall. And that’s just the beginning.
When you drop by The Whitby Hotel for afternoon tea, be prepared to be wowed by a brilliant mix of color, pattern, design, and texture that, literally, assaults the senses before your first sip—alabaster plinths, changing ceiling heights, and a rainbow-hued loom woven above the reception desk are just a few examples. If you weren’t familiar with the name Kit Kemp, the person responsible for this “look” before your visit, you’ll be in love by the time you leave. Kit is a British designer acclaimed for her imaginative and whimsical style and is co-founder with her husband, Tim, of Firmdale Hotels, all of which are noted for their modern British style. The Whitby is their second hotel in New York (Crosby Street Hotel in Soho opened in 2009), following on the success of eight others in London.
Turn left and head to The Bar, where the “wow” factor continues with an impressive collection of baskets sourced from different areas of the U.K. and Ireland, hanging over a massive pewter bar. Each of the baskets offers a story behind its purpose—some for collecting oysters, fish, potatoes, flowers—and is tagged with information of its origin and place in history. Framed art, red leather chairs alternating with green tweed, and a pair of carved wooden Hercules figures placed on either side of the bar complement an overall African-inspired feel.
Continue on to The Orangery, a jewel box of color with pink walls, pretty furniture, and porcelain vessels, each hand-etched with a different landmark New York building or bridge. Antique Victorian platters, 80 in all, hang in The Orangery and create an exquisite background for an afternoon-tea experience.
And an experience it is, with a lighter, healthier, even gluten-free afternoon tea on offer ($60 or $75 with a glass of Pommery Champagne). The concept of savories/scones/sweets remains the same, but at The Whitby the details are lighter: think cucumber sandwiches with white balsamic and butter, smoked salmon with mustard crème fraiche, whipped cashew cream instead of clotted cream, or passionfruit-basil Pavlova. A luxurious carrot layer cake with the tiniest layers imaginable, Meyer lemon and blueberry opera cake, and a Valrhona chocolate tart complete the indulgence. Specialty teas range from a classic English breakfast blend to a more adventurous flavor called Mythical Features by Kit Kemp, a tea with oolong, sunflower blossoms, and a touch of green mango.
The service is superb, as is the china on which afternoon tea is served (you can enjoy it in either The Bar or The Orangery). Called Sailor’s Farewell, Kit created the new china collection with the iconic British company Wedgwood. It features nautical motifs around a pale blue linen finish—a sailor’s wife waving goodbye, the rust red sails of his ship, seagulls flying above a lighthouse, a faraway island.
“I originally saw a beautiful drawing of a sailor’s wife waving farewell, and this sparked my imagination,” Kit explains. Like many of her designs, it blends her love of craft and folk art in a fun and lyrical way. The china is used exclusively within the hotel.
The Whitby serves afternoon tea daily from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance.
