"No one knew what to expect when a 258-year-old French luxury brand opened its first property, Baccarat Hotel, on West 53rd—except that there had better be at least one over-the-top chandelier. The hotel did not disappoint, but what was surprising was how wonderful its opulence felt, after all that industrial, bare-bulb, and rough-hewn everything—like a return to Champagne after years of lager. Unabashed opulence is what you get as soon as you step into the lobby, where there are about 15,000 pieces of the brand's crystal throughout, including glassware and chandeliers. Arrangements of fresh red roses everywhere add a touch of color. But even though the hotel is a singular vision, it may be the little touches—like Baccarat tumblers in the bathroom—that make a stay special."
