Along a quiet, tree-lined block just off Madison Avenue, The Lowell feels more like a private residence than a hotel. Discreet and impossibly elegant, it’s long been a favorite among well-heeled travelers seeking sanctuary in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side. With just 74 rooms and suites, each individually designed and many with wood-burning fireplaces and terraces, the property epitomizes refined, residential luxury.
Representative of that luxury is the hotel’s partnership with Dior Maison, and its Lily of the Valley Afternoon Tea at Majorelle restaurant. The experience draws inspiration from Christian Dior’s favorite bloom, long considered a symbol of good luck and affection.
Held in the light-filled Marjorelle dining room, (or on the enchanting garden terrace) where framed botanical prints and fresh floral arrangements set the tone, this afternoon ritual is a celebration of spring in full bloom. Guests are welcomed with a table set in Dior’s exclusive Lily of the Valley tableware—white Limoges porcelain edged in soft green, designed by Cordelia de Castellane as an ode to nature and French art de vivre.
The menu is as elegant as its setting. Begin with warm scones served alongside Devonshire Cream and house-made marmalades—mixed berry and clementine. Seasonal tea sandwiches arrive next, with highlights including delicate chicken curry and a miniature lobster roll that’s impossible to resist. Sweets lean airy and bright: a lemon trifle, a pistachio choux puff, and an assortment of Dior-inspired cookies, including one in the shape of the brand’s iconic Bar Jacket.
Signature cakes punctuate the end of the meal, including The Happiness Pink Cake—a vanilla sponge layered with lemon curd and cloaked in soft buttercream, a nod to Monsieur Dior’s beloved hue. The tea service includes a wide selection of black, green, and herbal blends, though the Jardin Bleu—an aromatic black tea laced with rhubarb, wild strawberry, and cornflower—is the house favorite. A Lily of the Valley cocktail, or a glass of Champagne, adds a celebratory flourish.
Reservation information here. The Lily of The Valley Tea is available at Majorelle every Wednesday – Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm and Sunday from 1:00pm – 6:00pm.
Photos courtesy of The Lowell