Park Hyatt New York

Erica Samuels, the curator of the Park Hyatt in midtown Manhattan, which opened in August, wants guests to feel like they are staying in an art collector’s home. She procured more than 235 pieces, including large-scale drawings by Karl Haendel and a cyanotype print of unraveled cassette tapes by Christian Marclay. An art concierge program is in the works and will provide guests access to private galleries. More of a music lover? Staff can arrange tickets to performances at Carnegie Hall, which is just across the street. Or simply head to the hotel’s 25th-floor spa, where a sound track curated by Carnegie Hall staff plays through the lap pool’s underwater speakers.

After checking in, I was escorted to my room, complete with modern furnishings, custom art, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The rooms follow a neutral color scheme with eye-catching dark wood pieces that provide an understated elegance to the layout. Additionally, Park Hyatt New York’s 210 guest rooms, including 92 suites are some of the largest in Manhattan and the extra space adds to the luxury. The room features high-tech amenities like a tablet on which you can summon anything you may need, from a late-night snack to laundry service. The well-stocked personal bar is filled with any snack or beverage you can imagine and a Nespresso coffee machine with complimentary coffee and teas. Bathrooms are ample and come equipped with oversized soaking tubs, rainforest showers, and—my favorite—heated floors. All rooms feature two vanities, mirrors with TVs, and bath products by Le Labo in their exclusive Tubereuse 40 scent. Small touches like a flower and vase nestled among amber bath furnishings make the space feel especially welcoming. Dog lovers take note: Park Hyatt New York recently launched its “Very Important Pooch” program so furry friends can be pampered just as much as you will be. Four-legged companions receive a special “NYC Doggie Guide,” personal beds, treats, and much more.

Park Hyatt’s 25th floor is a sunny sanctuary above bustling Midtown. Spa Nalai overlooks western Manhattan and offers a wide range of treatments custom-designed for each guest. Its name means “serenity” in the Lenape language, the Native American tribe that originally lived in the New York area, and the spa mixes modern technology and ancient wellness rituals to ensure guests leave feeling peaceful and rejuvenated. Spa Nalai’s treatment menu changes seasonally and utilizes Carita Paris, H. Gillerman Organics, and Stemulation products to pamper visitors. Also on the 25th floor is Park Hyatt New York’s stunning 65-foot lap pool with steam room and hot tub. Before jumping in, soak in the beautiful view of Carnegie Hall, which provided a soundtrack of classical music that plays throughout the pool area—even underwater. Generous seating on chaise longues and oversized chairs will beckon you to relax in the airy room after a swim. Park Hyatt’s gym is also not to be missed with a wide array of machines, a spacious locker room, and thoughtful amenities like chilled towels.

Tucked away on the third floor is Park Hyatt New York’s signature restaurant The Back Room at One57. Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault, formerly of Blue Duck Tavern in Washington, D.C., has created a modern menu with American cuisine focusing on steak and fresh seafood. As you enter, a chef’s station displays the day’s selection of lobster and oysters on ice to awaken your appetite. The Back Room’s signature menu items are its steaks, which are dry-aged for 28 to 60 days on the bone to infuse flavor. Crispy veal sweetbreads, wild salmon, and a tempting dessert menu also stand out among their offerings. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, from recommending the perfect wine pairing from a selection curated by Michelin-starred Veritas graduate Tristan Prat-Vincent to choosing from a surprisingly wide selection of breads after being seated. The restaurant has a swanky Mad Men-esque appeal, with dark leather and dark wood décor, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. The unique glass chandelier and high backed leather chairs add to the ambiance.

The Living Room, just outside of The Back Room at One57, has the atmosphere of an elegant New York apartment and its comfortable couches will make you feel right at home. The bar overlooks Carnegie Hall and features a small bites menu perfect for a pre-theatre meal. The bar has a particularly wide selection of champagnes, as well as an eye-catching cocktail list. One notable cocktail is their gin and tonic, which comes in a goblet-like glass with an array of fruits and spices that elevate the classic drink. During the day, The Living Room is a perfect place to refuel with coffee between museum visits and gallery hopping. The spacious layout means that even when the bar is crowded you won’t feel cramped. In fact, it’s easy to think your table is the only one in the room.

Park Hyatt New York is located in the midst of Manhattan’s many museums and galleries, but artwork throughout the property is not to be missed. Curated by Erica Samuels of Art & Advisory, Park Hyatt is home to 350 pieces of art in total, 10 of which were commissioned specifically for the hotel. The collection is a mix of well-known names and up-and-coming artists and pieces spread through the main entrance, dining areas, and rooms. Many of the pieces favor the interior’s neutral tones along with silvers and purples that compliment the architecture and layout. My two favorite pieces reside near the check-in desk—the sculpture “Propeller Diptych,” commissioned for the hotel and created by Robert Fischer and “Eric and Gretchen” from the “Men in Cities” series by Robert Longo.