A timeless luxury boutique hotel on the Upper East Side with that Townhouse feel and now a Relais & Chateau hotel as of Fall 2011.

Refurbished in 2009 this 159 room hotel spread over 17 floors is located in a wonderful residential part of Manhattan.

The rooms or ‘Salons’ as they like to call them start at 330 sq ft for a Deluxe and go up to 570 sq ft for an Ultra Deluxe Salon.  The entry level Deluxe rooms are well equipped and come in the shape of a King or two Queen beds.  The Grand Deluxe have a larger living area and bathroom whilst the Ultra Deluxe is more like a Junior Suite with a nice sized living room area and fireplace.  Five of these category rooms also have their own terrace.

The rooms have a soothing and Oriental feel to them and I liked the way the desk, with its rather ‘arty’ lamp, doubles up as a make-up table with a clever centre piece that lifts up with a mirror on the inside. The neutral grey and white colours are enhanced with the deep pile dark grey carpet.  There is reasonable closet space and I counted 4 draws in the Deluxe rooms, you will find larger double closets in the bigger rooms.  The Swedish Duxiana beds have lovely white Sferra linens and you even have a pillow menu available.  The good double glazed windows should also help ensure a good night’s sleep.  The bathrooms are quite wonderful and large, many with twin vanities and plenty of counter space and extra room underneath.   Deluxe and Grand Deluxe Salon King rooms have large glass enclosed showers with a 'Waterworks' rain shower, whilst the room categories above have both a separate deep bath tub and glass enclosed walk in shower.  All bathrooms are surrounded with grey marble and mosaic floor tiles, reminiscent of the lobby.  The amenities are Laura Tonatto of Milan.

All the essentials are there including a personal safe, good quality hairdryer, 37 inch Flat screen TV, iPod docking station and Internet access.  I was delighted to see that the desk has a height adjustable chair.

The Suites, which can be configured as one, two or three bedrooms, come equipped with a Nespresso machine and exclusive cocktail program whereby the Mixologist will come up to your Suite and make your own personal cocktail for you!

I took a peak at the Penthouse.  As you enter the amazing bronze front door you are greeted with dark wooden floors and some very contemporary artwork.  The bathroom as you would imagine, is large and sumptuous and fitted with a Jacuzzi bathtub.  As well as a separate living, dining area and kitchen you also have your own large terrace and fireplace.

Families are well catered for with special family packages including passes to museums and a kids program.  There are a number of adjoining rooms and pull out sofas.

Café Boulud is The Surrey’s fine dining restaurant offering French cuisine with a twist of American seasonal ingredients.  Bar Pleiades is their elegant ‘Chanel handbag’ bar.

The SPA at The Surrey has 5 treatment rooms and uses Darphin and Li’tya products.  They also have an affinity tub and steam shower.  A bright and good sized Fitness Centre with LifeFitness cardio equipment as well as free weights will keep you fit if you don’t want to run around Central Park, which is literally on your doorstep.