The Empire Hotel

What The Empire Hotel does

The Empire Hotel is a privately held 4-star boutique hotel located at 44 West 63rd Street on Manhattan's Upper West Side, directly across from Lincoln Center and one block from Central Park. Founded in 1924, the property operates 427 rooms and suites across nine categories ranging from 140 sq ft Express Rooms to one-bedroom Corner Suites, with a seasonal bi-level rooftop plunge pool, an on-site fitness center, and valet parking. The asset includes an 8,000 sq ft rooftop bar and lounge (Empire Rooftop) with twin terraces, fireplaces, and weekend live-DJ programming, plus a roster of on-site dining operators — Rosa Mexicano (flagship, since 2025), PJ Clarke's, Amorino Gelato, and Starbucks — that serve both guests and walk-in traffic.

The hotel monetizes its inventory through unit-priced room nights (rack rates from $119 to $429), a mandatory $19.95 + tax per night Residence Fee that bundles WiFi, fitness, rooftop pool (in season), and luggage storage, plus package attach (XOXO Gossip Girl, Swim and Sip, Romance Retreat, VIP Pet, Stay Longer, Advance Purchase). Ticketed experiences such as the $60 Gossip Girl Experience rooftop high tea and $200-$300 New Year's Eve Rooftop Party, along with rooftop happy hour and event bookings, layer additional revenue onto the base room business. Distribution is led by the property's own SynXis-powered website with direct-booking incentives, supplemented by Expedia, Booking.com and other OTAs, a dedicated group and corporate RFP channel, and an on-site reservations team operating 24/7.

The brand is anchored by pop-culture recognition: the Empire served as Chuck Bass's hotel in the CW series Gossip Girl from Season 3 onward and was recently featured as a filming location in Dexter: Resurrection on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. Its iconic red 'Hotel Empire' neon sign and historic Art Deco lobby function as a city landmark on the Upper West Side skyline. Customer mix skews toward leisure travelers, arts and culture patrons, families, groups, and diplomatic visitors, with pet-friendly rooms, themed packages, and referral partnerships (Gossip Girl Tours, Fit Tours NYC, CityPickle) used to differentiate against competing Manhattan properties. Headcount is in the 51-100 range; no parent company, institutional owners, or revenue figures are disclosed.

Name

The Empire Hotel

Legal name

The Empire Hotel

Website

https://empirehotelnyc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Empire Hotel is a 427-room, privately held boutique hotel on Manhattan's Upper West Side across from Lincoln Center, serving leisure travelers, arts patrons, and groups with on-site rooftop bar, F&B operators, and Gossip Girl-themed packages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boutique Hotel & Hospitality Services

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111)

SIC

Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban Luxury Hotels (City Luxury) (THAGACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Luxury Boutique & Lifestyle Resorts (THAGACAO)

Keywords

• Boutique hotel accommodations
• Upper West Side lodging
• Rooftop bar venue
• Themed stay packages
• Manhattan event hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Room Revenue (Accommodations): The hotel's primary revenue stream is room night sales across its 427 rooms and suites. Rates vary by room category, season, and promotion, ranging from approximately $119 USD (Advance Purchase) to $429 USD (Corner Suite). The hotel offers multiple rate tiers including direct booking discounts, advance purchase prepayment options, and extended stay packages.
2. Food & Beverage — Empire Rooftop Bar & Lounge: The 8,000-square-foot rooftop bar and lounge atop the hotel generates revenue through cocktail, wine, beer, and light bites sales. Happy Hour runs weekdays 2–6 PM with discounted drinks. The bar hosts private events and the annual New Year's Eve party (tickets $200–$300 per person). Revenue is also derived from drink vouchers included in hotel packages.
3. On-Site Dining — Rosa Mexicano, PJ Clarke's, Amorino Gelato, Starbucks: The hotel hosts multiple dining establishments on its premises, including Rosa Mexicano (flagship Mexican restaurant on the mezzanine), PJ Clarke's (American brasserie at the base), Amorino Gelato (Italian gelato), and Starbucks. These tenants generate revenue independently while enhancing the hotel's guest experience.
4. Valet & Parking Services: Valet parking is offered at $79 per 24 hours for standard vehicles and $89 for SUVs. Self-parking through partner GGMC Garage is available at discounted rates for hotel guests ($52 for 24 hours, $67 for SUVs). This ancillary revenue stream supports guest convenience.
5. Residence Fee: A mandatory $19.95 + tax per room, per night Residence Fee is charged to all guests, covering WiFi, fitness center access, rooftop pool (in season), luggage storage, and package holding. This mandatory fee supplements base room revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Empire Hotel is a 427-room boutique hotel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan offering nightly accommodations across multiple room and suite categories (Express, Standard, Superior, Deluxe, Junior Suite, Corner Suite, and ADA rooms). The stay is bundled with access to signature on-site amenities including an 8,000-square-foot Empire Rooftop Bar & Lounge with panoramic skyline views, a seasonal rooftop plunge pool, a fitness center, and co-located dining venues such as the Rosa Mexicano flagship, PJ Clarke's, and Amorino Gelato. Revenue extends beyond rooms to rooftop bar sales, ticketed event experiences (Gossip Girl Experience, New Year's Eve Party), valet parking, and themed stay packages (Gossip Girl, pet-friendly, romance).

Product overview

The Empire Hotel is a 4-star boutique hotel located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, directly across from Lincoln Center. The property operates a unified hospitality offering centered on 427 rooms and suites across nine room categories (Express, Standard, Superior, Deluxe, Junior Suite, Corner Suite, and ADA rooms), complemented by signature amenities including the Empire Rooftop Bar & Lounge (an 8,000 sq ft rooftop venue with skyline views), a seasonal rooftop plunge pool, and an on-site fitness center. On-property dining includes Rosa Mexicano (flagship), PJ Clarke's, and Amorino Gelato. The hotel also markets a portfolio of special packages and event experiences — including the XOXO Gossip Girl Package, Swim and Sip Package, Romance Package, VIP Pet Package, and ticketed events such as the Gossip Girl Experience and New Year's Eve Party — as well as affiliated activities like Central Park Fitness Tours and Gossip Girl NYC Tours. The hotel is recognized for its role as the filming location for the TV series Gossip Girl and has also been featured in Dexter: Resurrection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Empire Rooftop Bar & Lounge: An 8,000-square-foot rooftop bar and lounge atop the hotel featuring panoramic NYC skyline views, craft cocktails, light bites, and indoor/outdoor terraces with fireplaces. Open year-round with live DJ sets on weekends.
• Empire Rooftop

Products and services

• Empire Hotel Rooms & Suites A 427-key room and suite inventory at an Upper West Side boutique hotel, offered nightly with categories ranging from a 140 sq ft Express Room (one double bed) to multi-room Corner Suites with panoramic Lincoln Center views. Rooms include art deco design, HDTVs, premium WiFi, climate control, in-room safes, and Galimard bath amenities, and serve individual leisure travelers, couples, families, and corporate guests.
• Empire Rooftop Bar & Lounge An 8,000-square-foot rooftop bar and lounge serving craft cocktails, wine, beer, and light bites with panoramic Manhattan skyline views, a weekday happy hour (2-6 PM), weekend live DJ programming, private event hosting, and annual New Year's Eve celebration; open to both hotel guests and walk-in visitors.
• Rosa Mexicano Lincoln Center (Flagship) A flagship Mexican restaurant tenant on the hotel's mezzanine serving bold Mexican cuisine, festive cocktails, and group dining experiences for hotel guests and walk-in patrons.
• PJ Clarke's at the Empire Hotel A classic New York American brasserie and burger institution located at the base of the hotel, serving burgers, seafood, steak frites, lobster rolls, and craft cocktails to hotel guests and walk-in patrons.
• Amorino Gelato Lincoln Center An Italian gelato and dessert shop using organic and natural ingredients to serve gelati, sorbetti, and gelato macarons to hotel guests and walk-in patrons.
• Empire Rooftop Plunge Pool A seasonal rooftop swimming pool amenity exclusive to hotel guests from approximately Memorial Day to Labor Day, featuring Manhattan skyline views, chaise lounges, plush day beds, and poolside bar service.
• Empire Hotel Fitness Center On-site lower-level fitness facility for hotel guests, equipped with cardio machines (treadmills, ellipticals with individual flat-screen TVs), free weights, adjustable benches, stationary bikes, and hygiene/hydration stations, accessible via the Residence Fee.
• XOXO Gossip Girl Package A themed multi-night hotel stay package inspired by the Gossip Girl TV series, including champagne on ice, French macarons, plush Empire robes, branded silk sleep masks, XOXO slippers, early check-in, and 1 PM late checkout; bookable as a discrete package from approximately $229 per night.
• Swim & Sip Package A seasonal stay package pairing a hotel room with two complimentary drink vouchers (each up to $20 plus tax/gratuity) at the Empire Rooftop Bar; available from approximately $175 per night during pool season.
• Romance Retreat Package A couples-focused suite stay package including champagne setup for two, romantic décor, sweet treats, plush robes and slippers, and two drink vouchers for the Empire Rooftop Bar; valid only for suite room types from approximately $189 per night.
• VIP Pet Package A pet-friendly hotel stay including an Empire dog bed, dog bowl, doggy baggies, and waived daily pet fees, plus a discount on Central Park walking tours; maximum one pet per room, from approximately $170 per night.
• Gossip Girl Experience (Rooftop High Tea) A ticketed afternoon rooftop experience inspired by the Gossip Girl TV series, featuring themed GG cocktails or mocktails, tea sandwiches, and Blair Waldorf-style macarons at the Empire Rooftop Bar, available select Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 3 PM at $60 per person.
• New Year's Eve Party at the Empire Rooftop The Empire Hotel's annual ticketed New Year's Eve rooftop celebration featuring a premium open bar, welcome cocktails, champagne toast, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, live music, a midnight DJ set, and party favors, offered as General Admission ($200/person, standing) or VIP ($300/person, guaranteed seating, minimum two per table).
• Central Park Fitness Tours A bookable guided fitness activity in Central Park operated by partner Fit Tours NYC, including yoga walk tours (~2 miles through Bethesda Terrace and Cherry Hill) and running tours (~4 miles past Bethesda Fountain, The Mall, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir), offered at 20% off with code EMP20.
• Gossip Girl NYC Tours A bookable partner-led NYC tour visiting Gossip Girl filming locations such as the Met steps, Grand Central Terminal, and Nate's townhouse, offered in 90-minute to 3-hour formats and discounted 15% for Empire Hotel guests via promo code EmpireHotelxoxo.
• Valet Parking & GGMC Garage Self-Parking Guest vehicle parking services combining on-site valet ($79 per 24 hours for standard vehicles, $89 per 24 hours for SUVs) and discounted self-parking via partner GGMC Garage ($52 per 24 hours for standard vehicles, $67 for SUVs, $15 extra for EVs).

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• CityPickleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CityPickle operates a three-year pickleball partnership at Central Park's Wollman Rink (14 permanent courts, open daily 8 AM–9 PM from April 21). The hotel markets this nearby activity to guests through its event calendar and fitness tour pages. The partnership extends the hotel's active-traveler appeal during the spring/summer season.
• Gossip Girl ToursminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGossip Girl Tours is an NYC-based tour operator specializing in guided tours of Gossip Girl filming locations. The partnership offers Empire Hotel guests 15% off GG tours using promo code EmpireHotelxoxo. The hotel also receives referral traffic from gossipgirltours.com. This partnership targets the show's dedicated fanbase, driving incremental bookings aligned with the hotel's pop-culture brand identity.
• Fit Tours NYCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFit Tours NYC provides guided Central Park fitness experiences (yoga walks and running tours) exclusively for Empire Hotel guests. Hotel guests receive 20% off bookings using promo code EMP20. This partnership enhances the hotel's wellness positioning and attracts active travelers seeking structured fitness activities during their NYC stay.
• GGMC GarageminorOthersGGMC Garage at 10 West 66th Street is the hotel's preferred self-parking partner, offering discounted rates for Empire Hotel guests ($52 for 24 hours, $67 for SUVs, $15 extra for electric vehicles). The garage is open 24/7 and accommodates vehicles up to 200 inches in length. This partnership addresses guest parking needs and differentiates the hotel's service offering.
• GalimardminorOthersGalimard (founded 1747, France) is a historic French perfume house and the hotel's bath amenities supplier. The hotel features Galimard 1747 fragrance products — a bergamot, lemon, lavender, sandalwood, and musk blend — in all guest rooms. This partnership supports the hotel's luxury positioning and French elegance brand narrative.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 1 Hotel Central Park: Luxury lifestyle boutique hotel located steps from Central Park on the Upper West Side / Midtown boundary. Directly competes with the Empire for the same Central Park-adjacent, culture-driven leisure traveler, with comparable suite sizes and rooftop / wellness amenity positioning.
• The Bowery Hotel: Iconic NYC boutique hotel with a strong design and pop-culture identity serving leisure and creative-industry travelers. Comparable full-service boutique operating model with F&B venue, high-touch service, and lifestyle branding rather than chain-loyalty marketing.
• The Greenwich Hotel: Independent Tribeca luxury boutique hotel offering rooms, suites, and a destination restaurant/bar in a Tribeca setting. Closely comparable as an independent, design-forward NYC boutique hotel with strong F&B and a high-end leisure traveler base.
• The Chatwal New York: Luxury boutique hotel in Midtown Manhattan with a focus on suite-style accommodations and refined F&B. Comparable as an upscale urban boutique competitor for theater- and culture-driven leisure travel.
• The Standard High Line: Lifestyle boutique hotel in Manhattan's Meatpacking District with a destination rooftop bar, design-forward rooms, and strong pop-culture identity. Highly comparable boutique positioning, F&B-led experience, and millennial / leisure traveler base.

Broad incumbents

• The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel: Iconic Upper East Side luxury hotel (Rosewood-managed) with deep cultural cachet (Café Carlyle, Bemelmans Bar). Competes for the same high-end cultural-tourist and NYC classic-stay guest, but operates as part of a larger global luxury portfolio with broader marketing reach.
• The Pierre, A Taj Hotel: Luxury Fifth Avenue / Central Park hotel operated by Taj Hotels. Competes for the same luxury cultural-tourist and corporate traveler at the top end of the Empire's price range, with significantly larger group and event infrastructure.
• Mandarin Oriental, New York: Luxury hotel at Columbus Circle (Time Warner Center) with views of Central Park, located within walking distance of the Empire. Competes for similar cultural-tourist and corporate business, but operates as part of a global luxury brand with broader distribution and loyalty programs.
• Park Hyatt New York: Luxury full-service hotel near Carnegie Hall and Central Park, part of Hyatt's luxury portfolio. Comparable Midtown Manhattan location targeting cultural and corporate travelers, but with the backing of a global hotel company's loyalty and distribution infrastructure.
• The Plaza Hotel: Iconic luxury hotel at the southeast corner of Central Park with strong pop-culture and event-driven demand. Comparable as a destination NYC luxury property with deep cultural cachet and event space, but with a much larger suite and event footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheEmpireHotel
• Instagraminstagram.com/theempirehotel
• Xx.com/theempirehotel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/empirehotelnyc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Empire Hotel