Traveling in New York City last week, the cab driver asked where I was staying. I gave him the name of the hotel. Why not a Hyatt, he asked? There were Hyatts all over this city. He was right– the Chicago-based brand has eight hotels in Manhattan, and one across the water in Jersey City.
I mentioned that I wanted to visit the new Park Hyatt New York, the brand’s new flagship. He hadn’t heard of it — until I called it “the one with the dangling crane” a nod to the construction snafu that occurred when a crane at the One57 site broke during Hurricane Sandy. Disaster was averted, but most locals won’t forget the site of that dangling piece of construction equipment dozens of stories in the sky.
Thankfully, after a few weeks in business, the dangling crane will be the least memorable thing about this 25-floor, 210 room hotel on the first levels of the One57 skyscraper.
Guests will note the Christian de Portzamparc architecture, the easy access to Central Park and Carnegie Hall, the 92 suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, or the rooms, that even in lower categories, might stand as large as 530 square feet … massive, by New York City standards.
Art enthusiasts will enjoy a collection of 350 gallery-worthy artworks from Ellsworth Kelly, Rob Fischer, and Robert Longo, among others, with at least 10 pieces designed specifically for the hotel.
Small details are never missed. The property is the only hotel worldwide to offer Tubereuse 40 bath amenities by Le Labo Fragrances, a fragrance exclusively blended for the hotel. Need something a bit more personalized? Try a custom spa treatment. Located on the top floor of the hotel, the spa features a steam room, hydrotherapy hot tub, private changing rooms and indoor swimming pool with underwater speakers playing an exclusive soundtrack from Carnegie Hall.
There are certainly plenty of memorable areas to admire, from the Yabu Pushelberg-designed interiors to the Onyx Room, featuring white onyx walls and soaring ceilings.
Need something a bit more tangible? Dining at the Park Hyatt is sure to be a highlight. The property recruited Sebastien Archambault, formerly of the Blue Duck Tavern in Washington, DC, a favorite restaurant of President and Mrs. Obama. The Back Room at One57 and The Living Room will offer a simple, seasonal menu of American dishes.
We have a feeling that our drivers will surely recognize the name when mentioned in the weeks to come. We’ll give you a full report in just a few weeks!
Have you been to the property yet? What did you think?
