A MASTERPIECE STAY

Loews Regency is a landmark in its own right, perched on Park Avenue with all the polish and panache one expects from an Upper East Side icon. Having spent many mornings enjoying a “power breakfast” in their legendary dining room, I’ve always appreciated how the hotel embodies both classic New York elegance and a warm, residential feel. But this latest offering—access to after-hours, educator-led tours at The Met—takes its guest experience to a whole new level.

This isn’t just about skipping the crowds or checking off another museum visit. It’s about connecting on a deeper level with the cultural heartbeat of this city. As part of The Met’s Corporate Patron Program, Loews Regency is now offering its guests private thematic tours of the museum’s world-renowned collection. Held on select Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m.—when the museum is closed to the public—these tours are limited to just ten guests per session. Yes, you read that correctly. Ten people. In a museum that typically welcomes over six million visitors a year. It’s the kind of access that art lovers and cultural aficionados dream about. 

This summer, the program features two inspired themes. The first was last month, “Musical Instruments” (June 25), and explored the global connections between instruments, traditions, and cultures. As someone who has always believed that music is the ultimate universal language, or the great uniter if you will, I find this tour especially resonant. It’s not just about looking at instruments encased in glass; it’s about understanding how music has traveled across borders and centuries, influencing art, identity, and civilization.  

Then there’s the “Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Painting” tour on August 13—a dream come true for anyone who’s ever swooned at the brushstrokes of Monet or stood mesmerized in front of a Van Gogh. This tour promises a deeper look at how French artists in the late 19th century dared to break the rules and changed the art world forever. Personally, I can’t wait to see how The Met’s educators bring these stories to life when the galleries are silent and still, save for the whispers of a small group of art lovers and the soft creak of museum floors. 

John Maibach, Managing Director of Loews Regency New York Hotel, put it best, “This program reflects our commitment to connecting our guests with the very best of New York City’s cultural offerings.” And that, to me, is the heart of what makes this initiative so special. The Local by Loews Hotels program was designed to immerse guests in the culture, people, and soul of each destination. But here, in partnership with The Met, it goes even further. It’s not just local—it’s legendary.

What also stands out is the accessibility of this luxurious experience. Guests simply need to contact the hotel’s concierge after booking a stay to secure a spot. There’s no red tape, no VIP hierarchy—just a genuine invitation to experience the city’s crown jewel of culture in a more meaningful, personal way.  

As someone who’s written about New York’s arts and hospitality scenes for years, I can say without hesitation that this collaboration between Loews Regency and The Met represents one of the most thoughtful and culturally enriching hotel offerings we’ve seen in some time. It’s an ode to the soul of the city—its art, its elegance, its accessibility—and it reinforces why New York remains the world’s greatest canvas. 

So, whether you’re a lifelong local or a first-time visitor, this summer may be the perfect time to revisit The Met, not through the rush of the crowd, but in the quiet glow of an exclusive tour—where every brushstroke, every artifact, and every story is yours to savor.  

Because in New York, luxury isn’t just about where you stay—it’s about how deeply you experience the world around you. And thanks to Loews Regency New York and The Met, that experience just became a masterpiece.  

To learn more, please visit
loewshotels.com/regency-hotel