Hotel Review: Park Hyatt New York – Park Deluxe King Room

When the luxurious, hugely tall Park Hyatt New York opened this past September on Midtown Manhattan’s West 57th Street, a half-block from Carnegie Hall and across the street from the Russian Tea Room, it was an immediate sensation in New York City. For the last few months it’s been almost impossible to snag a room here, but I was recently able to book a Park Standard King room (and an upgrade to Deluxe) on only a week’s notice, using a combination of Hyatt Gold Passport points and cash. I wasn’t able to spend much time at this amazing property during my stay, but I know I’ll definitely return.

Overview

By “overview,” what I really mean is “has great views over Midtown.” Set within the first 25 floors of the 90-story One57 condominium building —a glassy spire of a skyscraper that stands head and shoulders above every other building nearby—the 210-room property includes 92 suites, all with floor-to-ceiling windows. At 475 square feet, standard rooms here are some of the largest in the city, and the chic, swanky decor throughout the hotel is capped off by a glamorous indoor pool on the top floor.

There are Hyatts all over Manhattan, such as the high-end Grand Hyatt New York at Grand Central Terminal and the nearby Hyatt Times Square New York, the four-diamond Hyatt Union Square and the less flashy Hyatt Herald Square, but while I’ve enjoyed past stays at the Andaz 5th Avenue and Andaz Wall Street, the Park Hyatt New York is now my favorite Hyatt property in the Big Apple—by far. I even like it more than the spectacular St. Regis New York, and it’s a better value on points.

Check-In 

Since the Park Hyatt sits on a particularly busy section of West 57th between 6th and 7th Avenues, it was nice to be welcomed in from the traffic to an elegant and softly-lit marble foyer by a friendly, helpful doorman. Throughout my stay, there were always plenty of staff members to be found by the hotel’s entrance and in the lobby areas.

One warm, professional staff member escorted me from the ground-floor foyer to the lobby, then to the mirrored-elevator banks to the upper floors, and then all the way to my room, where she swiftly checked me in on an iPad. This process definitely beat the usual wait at a hotel’s front desk.

The Room

I had booked a Park Standard King room, but upgraded to a Park Deluxe King thanks to my Hyatt Platinum status. (Since I mostly focus on Starwood Preferred Guest these days, I’ve dropped a tier down from my Hyatt Diamond status.) There are rarely any suites available at the Park Hyatt, so this was the maximum available upgrade, but I didn’t mind a bit; the size of the Deluxe, which ranges from 496-680 square feet, was huge by New York City standards.

The room’s streamlined decor was simple and functional while still managing to feel plush, and the winding layout felt comfortable and private even for two people. The huge bathroom included a roomy  rain shower and a stand-alone soaking tub stocked with sexy bath amenities created specifically for the hotel by New York perfumier Le Labo. The room feature that wowed me the most, though, was the not-so-mini-bar area, which included a Nespresso machine, premium wines, and almost every snack I’ve ever thought about eating.

To give you a better idea of the room’s flow and decor, I shot the following video:

I didn’t bring my Blue French Bulldog, Miles, with me this time, but it’s good to know that the Park Hyatt has a great pet-friendly policy. The “Bark Hyatt” program includes access to a dog bed, food and water bowls, treats and rain wear, as well as an illustrated NYC Doggie Guide, services like dog-walking, and a special canine menu. Bringing your pet costs $100 for a stay of up to six nights, and for each four-legged guest, the hotel donates $100 to the Humane Society.

Food and Drink

I was instantly impressed with the lobby’s chic Living Room bar, which has an amazing array of wines and Champagnes, as well as a great craft cocktail lineup. In my opinion, the best feature of this luxe grey-and-black space is the trippy, geometric chandelier constructed of rectangles of clear and mirrored glass. The soundproofing is amazing, and you’d never know there’s a bustling city right outside; it would definitely be a good place to come for a drink after a long work day or before/after a Carnegie Hall performance.

For breakfast and lunch, I enjoyed the swanky on-site restaurant, The Back Room at One 57. This American grill’s executive chef, Sebastien Archambault, was imported from the Blue Duck Tavern in Washington, D.C., and each month he spotlights a specific protein, like lobster, steak, duck, etc. The menu is a mix of comfort-food classics, veggie fare, and huge steaks and chops; if you’re not feeling brave enough to order it yourself, hopefully someone nearby will have the 38-ounce 60-Day Rib Eye for two so that you can at least see it.

This month’s protein was beef, which I devoured during lunch in the form of a rich steak-and-onion sandwich on fresh-baked panini bread. I also found a nice sense of balance between virtue and guilt with sides of crispy wide-cut fries and a tender Brussels sprouts. (Oh, and Champagne.)

The (Amazing) Pool

Set on the 25th floor between the Spa Nalai and the 24-hour gym, the indoor pool is pure glamour. Once again, one of the most striking features of the space is a cutting-edge, geometric take on a chandelier, with a lighting arrangement that, like many details around the property, seems to mimic the grid pattern on the building’s exterior. Especially at night or on an overcast day, the lights pick up the pool’s scattering of gilded tiles, making the whole room shimmer.

I chose to kick back at the pool fully clothed, as I had a lot going on during my stay.  I was sad to miss out on a swim, as there are reportedly underwater speakers playing a soundtrack created by Carnegie Hall.

The Gym and Spa

Just outside the pool and up a short flight of stairs, the 24-hour, 7-day-a-week gym is awesome. There are lots of free weights and floor equipment, but you can’t beat the city views from the state-of-the-art treadmills—they might actually inspire you to want to work out!

The gym locker rooms were gorgeous, too, with stunning white-and-grey marble, lots of room and privacy, and perfectly clean showers. After a tough workout, the big steam room was a welcome perk, as well.

I didn’t have a chance to get a treatment at the Spa Nalai (also just outside the pool area), but I popped in to take a look and was impressed by its near-acre of marble and calm, friendly staff. The light-filled and ultra-modern space has six treatment rooms, some of which look out over the city, and a small spa terrace. The spa shop feels like a posh boutique, with a few seating areas, big sprays of orchids, and a wide array of candles, trinkets and bath products. The holistic treatment menu here changes seasonally, and the signature “earthing” treatment takes place on top of a warm sand quartz bed—which sounds like an ideal activity for a New York City winter.

Award Booking

Nightly rates at the Park Hyatt New York are far from cheap, ranging from $563-1,295. However, a standard Park King room at this Category 7 property is a great value when you use Hyatt’s popular Points + Cash (15,000 points + $300 per night) and decent with Hyatt Gold Passport points (30,000 points per night). Award availability is finally starting to open up, and I was able to book my room just a week ahead of time with the Points + Cash rate. Be aware, though, that even if there’s award availability for the room, this rate isn’t guaranteed; just like I did, you’ll have to call the hotel at (646) 774-1234 in order to inquire and book.

Have you stayed at the Park Hyatt New York, or are you planning to stay there soon?