A Winter Ascent Above Fifth Avenue: Chesa Swiss Chalet at The Peninsula New York

High above Fifth Avenue, winter arrives with a distinctly alpine accent. This season, The Peninsula New York unveils Chesa Swiss Chalet, a rooftop transformation that trades city bustle for chalet romance—transporting guests straight to the Swiss Alps without ever leaving Manhattan.

Set atop the hotel’s West Terrace, Chesa feels like a secret mountain village in the sky. Four private, heated wooden chalets ring a glowing firepit, wrapped in evergreens and soft lights. Inside, plush sofas, sheepskin throws, rustic chandeliers, and vintage alpine posters evoke the comforting hush of a snow-dusted lodge after a long day on the slopes. The effect is immersive and intimate: a cocoon of warmth where Midtown’s skyline fades into a wintry reverie.

The culinary experience leans into tradition with a refined, après-ski spirit. Guests gather around bubbling cheese and chocolate fondues, sip hand-selected Swiss wines, and linger late into the evening as conversations stretch by the fire. It’s convivial and indulgent—exactly how winter dining should feel.

For those seeking the pinnacle of indulgence, Chesa elevates the ritual with an exclusive collaboration centered on Louis XIII Cognac. The experience recalls the rarefied pleasures of Europe’s grand resorts, where time slows and craftsmanship reigns. A highlight is the Louis XIII Cognac tasting, thoughtfully paired with Petrossian caviar—an opulent moment that feels both ceremonial and deeply comforting. Even the cocktails channel alpine nostalgia, including a decadent Chocotini that reimagines hot chocolate with Nutella-infused cognac, perfect for warming hands and spirits alike.

Chesa’s New York debut draws inspiration from its storied namesake in Hong Kong, a beloved institution that has celebrated Swiss hospitality for decades. Here, that heritage is reinterpreted for the city’s winter social calendar—ideal for intimate gatherings, festive celebrations, or private chalet bookings that feel worlds away from the streets below.

As snowflakes (real or imagined) seem to fall beyond the terrace, Chesa Swiss Chalet becomes less a pop-up and more a passageway—to the Alps, to après-ski elegance, to a slower, cozier pace of winter living. For New Yorkers and visitors alike, it’s the season’s most transportive escape: a fireside fantasy where the Swiss Alps meet Fifth Avenue, and winter is savored one luxurious sip at a time.