If you love Breakfast at Tiffany’s then this blog post is for you! I recently visited New York City and decided to treat myself to a luxurious experience inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

A quick overview if you haven’t seen the movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn and based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. In the opening scene fo the movie an elegantly dressed Audrey steps out of a taxi in front of the Tiffany & Co. flagship store on 5th Ave in New York City in the wee hours of the morning. She then proceeds to eat a croissant and sip a coffee while staring at the display windows. She never goes in the store itself but the mere proximity to luxury makes her feel happy. It is also important to note that Audrey Hepburn’s now iconic black gown was designed especially for her by Hubert de Givenchy.

Where to stay

Audrey Hepburn stayed at the historic Warwick Hotel between 1960-1965. The Warwick New York is located at the corner of W54th Street and 6th Avenue just a short walk from Tiffany’s. The hotel was built by  William Randolph Hearst, a prominent newspaper baron of the early 20th century and completed in 1927. It is said that Hearst built the hotel for his then mistress Broadway star Marion Davies. Over the years the hotel has hosted many prominent old Hollywood stars such as James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis Presley, and Carey Grant who called the hotel home for 12 years.

The Warwick is centrally located in a safe area of Midtown Manhattan however it is a historical building and has much of the original architecture form the elevators to the chandeliers. Some of the rooms such as the premier suites or rooms are interior facing and there is very little natural light coming in. If you decide to stay at this hotel make sure to book a city view room for natural light.  There are a few terrace and signature suites with more modern decor and amenities.

If you’re really feeling adventurous you can try to book a stay at Holly’s apartment from the movie. Located at 169 E. 71st Street the brownstone that was used for the exterior shots of her apartment building is now fully renovated and available to rent. The stylish Upper East Side townhome is part of the Inspirato collection, which is a chic members only alternative to airbnb. Appropriately name the Hepburn, you can get a 3D tour of the space here.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

No Audrey Hepburn experience would be complete without a visit to the Tiffany &Co. flagship store on 5th Avenue. Just a short walk from the hotel and you can enjoy a gourmet breakfast at the iconic Blue Box Café by Michelin star chef Daniel Boulud. Located on the 6th floor of the Tiffany building dining at this cafe is a must-do!

Yes! You CAN actually have breakfast at Tiffany’s now! The Blue Box Café offers a daily Breakfast, Tea and a seasonal menu. Full details and menus can be found here. This cafe is on the pricey side when it comes to their menu and breakfast will cost you around $59 per person while the tea is $98, so it really is an investment in the experience. Although reservations at the Blue Box Café are rarely available there a few hacks you can use to make sure you get a table:

• Search for reservations directly from their site:https://blueboxcafenyc.com/
• Sign up to be notified if your preferred reservation date and time become available. They usually notify you on your preferred date or the day before.
• They always open up reservations a few days in advance; for example if you’re hoping to go on a Wednesday check on Monday and Tuesday for any openings for that specific Wednesday. Sometimes the cafe blocks reservations and opens them up a few days before or even on the very day.
• You can always walk-in Monday-Friday, the restaurant saves 6 tables for walk-ins: line up by 9:45am outside the store (the store opens at 10am) and register with your name and number. You can go shopping on 5th Avenue and come back when your table is ready.

What to wear

Audrey Hepburn was known for her impeccable taste in fashion and always looking so put together. If you’re going to have breakfast at Tiffany’s then you must dress for the occasion. I chose to add a modern spin on her classic black gown, pearl necklace and gloves. I’ll be sharing more about my outfit on my Instagram page. However I choose a monochrome look with some glittery accents.

It’s best to go for a more classic chic look if you’re really looking to have that authentic Audrey experience. Many women love to wear Holly Golightly inspired outfits to Tiffany’s and I even spotted one lady who dressed up and brought her own croissant for photos outside the windows of the store. If you don’t feel like splurging at the Blue Box Café snapping some photos outside the store is always a great alternative.

Will you be treating yourself to the Audrey Hepburn experience?