These perfect examples of timeless elegance have stayed ahead of the pack by keeping one eye on tradition and the other on modern luxury

WHEN IT WAS FOUNDED more than a century ago by John Jacob Astor IV, the St. Regis New York immediately became a beloved landmark, thanks to its Beaux Arts exterior, elegant public spaces and first-class service. Nothing much has changed, save for some welcome upgrades, including a 2006 interior redesign, led by Sills Huniford, featuring St. Regis hallmarks like silk wall coverings and Waterford crystal chandeliers.
With more renovations forthcoming, not to mention the on-site Adour Alain Ducasse still receiving breathless praise (it opened in 2008, eons ago in New York restaurant years), it’s clear that this grande dame hasn’t slowed down a bit. www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis