Though NYC is full of countless Christmas tress during the holiday season (not just Rockefeller Center’s), one of our personal favorites is the one at the Palace Hotel. However, construction and scaffolding last year resulted in no room for a tree to sparkle in the courtyard. Yet, we were just informed that a Christmas tree has returned to the hotel this holiday season!
We called the hotel ourselves and an employee confirmed the fortunate news to us that the tree has returned to the courtyard—though on a much smaller scale than in years past. Due to ongoing renovations that resulted in the hotel’s lack of tree last year, there still isn’t enough room to bring the Christmas tree back in full size. But at least there will be one!
Many a New Yorker takes lovely holiday photos there, and it’s always at the top of our “10 Best NYC Christmas Trees That Aren’t In Rockefeller Center” list. Now people can return to Madison Ave. after a two year wait!
The Lotte New York Palace dates back as far as 1882, when it was built as “The Villard Houses,” six private townhouses surrounding a courtyard commissioned by financier Henry Villard. In 1974 it was transformed into a 55-story hotel developer Harry Helmsley, and in 2015 it was acquired by Lotte Hotels & Resorts. It is now the city’s largest luxury hotel — and top-rated! It’s also been seen in many movies and television shows from Gossip Girl to Will & Grace to 27 Dresses. It’s located on 455 Madison Ave.
Renovation on the courtyard is expected to end by the summer of 2023, according to an employee. Here’s to hoping for a full-scale tree next year!