R
elais & Châteaux, an association of luxury hotels and restaurants worldwide, is expanding into New York City's hotel market. The organization boasts high-end city dining staples like 11 Madison Park, SAGA, Daniel, Gabriel Kreuther, Per Se, and Jean-Georges, but lacks a single hotel in Manhattan.

    "We don't have any properties in NYC, which makes it a target for us," said Laurent Gardinier, president of Relais & Châteaux. "We're now on the search." The organization has a 500-point checklist that hotels must pass to become members, ensuring they fit with its DNA and offer added value.

    Gardinier emphasized that while R&C typically affiliates with luxury boutique hotels, it will consider larger properties in NYC due to the city's unique demands. "We want to provide good service in a city like New York, so we need at least 80 or 100 rooms," he said.

    The organization is looking to expand into Manhattan as the city faces a hotel shortage. Roughly 135 hotels have been involved in a shelter program for migrants, leaving just 121,677 hotel rooms available for tourists. The average rate for a hotel room has increased by 8.5% to $301 per night, making Relais & Châteaux's plans more challenging.

    The association already has several NYC restaurants under its belt, including SAGA and Jean-Georges. Its checklist for hotels includes displaying the character of an East Coast property, reflecting local architecture, and fitting with the gastronomy scene in NYC.