On the 25th floor of the Park Hyatt New York, the living room of the brand-new Manhattan Suite is one of the more lavish places I’ve gathered my family to watch an Eagles playoff game. With windows nearly 18 feet high, a sculpture by An Te Lu; curving pink Vladimir Kagan–designed couches; dramatic rectangular brass fixtures, suspended from the ceiling; and the players larger than life on a 165-inch Sharp TV screen, my family and I felt far, far removed from our more demure living room just across town. And yet, we also felt right at home, in a kick-your-shoes-off, munch-on-popcorn kind of way, which was a surprise, given the grand environment.
Park Hyatt New York’s new Manhattan Suite, a sprawling, 3,500-square foot, three-bedroom, three-bathroom space, combines the best of what hotels do (room service; concierge access) with the best of what an apartment can offer (heated bathroom floors and full-service kitchen, anyone?). The Park Hyatt is set in midtown Manhattan, on a stretch of 57th street known as Billionaire’s Row, where several super-tall condominium towers cater to a fraction of the 1 percent. Built to the tune of $10 million, the suite debuted just in time for the hotel’s 10th anniversary—and I was there for a quick staycation.
Courtesy of Park Hyatt New York
A residential approach to design and amenities is taking off at hotels and resorts these days, as properties tap into underutilized areas or reconfigure smaller guest rooms into larger suites; build out villas on undeveloped land; and even sell club memberships to locals. To get in the game—and offer a premium choice for multigenerational groups—the Park Hyatt turned their former spa and salon on the 25th floor (a space that I found always had great bones, with soaring windows allowing for natural light) into the equivalent of a presidential suite.
“As the travel landscape continues to evolve, we saw the need for a space that blends luxury and comfort for all types of groups,” said Lauren Ebzant, area vice president and general manager of the Park Hyatt New York, in an interview with Travel + Leisure. “The Manhattan Suite was designed to meet the needs of today’s discerning travelers—whether they are multigenerational families seeking a spacious retreat, couples in pursuit of a romantic escape, executives embracing the work-from-anywhere lifestyle, or guests simply looking for a private sanctuary in the heart of New York City.”
Designed by Sawyer & Company, the suite, which is roughly shaped like a “U,” offers incredible, 270-degree views facing north, west, and south. We loved being able to see the treetops of Central Park from the two north-facing balconies, as well as craning our necks down to spy cars and pedestrians shuttling down 57th street from the main living area, which has a western exposure. The elevated experience does not come cheap: the suite costs $50,000 per night, if you book all three bedrooms (two can also be booked individually as Central Park Balcony Suites). That rate includes airport transfers, breakfast, a fridge and pantry stocked to your preference, and a spa treatment. (A new Spa Nalai will debut soon, also on the 25th floor, near the locker rooms close to the indoor pool.)
Courtesy of Park Hyatt New York
Tucked off the living room and accessible by a marble hallway, the primary bedroom is anchored by “Commission Base on the A,” an oversize graphite, oil, and acrylic piece on canvas from multi-disciplinary English artist Grace Watts. The large bathroom comes complete with a soaking tub, steam shower, Le Labo amenities, and hair dryer from stylist Rossano Ferretti. The closet is spacious, with ample drawers and hangers (a welcome upgrade from my apartment), but better still, personal shoppers from the nearby Nordstrom flagship are on-site to help you customize your wardrobe. The open-plan living and dining rooms felt gracious—not stuffy—with all of us easing into those pink couches for hours at night, and then sitting down to eggs Benedict for breakfast the next day at the eight-seat dining table. Books that nod to the city’s culture and history, including “New York Cocktails” and “The New York Tapes” were scattered throughout the suite, adding to the sense of place; I also relished seeing vibrant pieces by New York City-based artists Joanne Freeman and Erin O’Keefe.
Courtesy of Park Hyatt New York
If all three rooms are booked, the Manhattan Suite accommodates 10 guests overnight; that said, you could have many more over, with two powder rooms and a wet bar in the living room.
With executives continuing to work-from-anywhere, or even book in for longer-than average stays, Sawyer & Company Design, Inc. made room for a compact, modern office; a beautiful kitchen with Miele appliances, including a dishwasher and Master Cool fridge-freezer; and multiple common rooms, like the separate living area off one of the secondary bedrooms that faces north, toward Central Park.
“When designing, it was important to make the vast space feel comfortable and serene,” Tracey Sawyer, founder and CEO of Sawyer & Company Design, Inc, told T+L. “We used a combination of a soft neutral color palette with muted tones and natural materials like walnut wood to add warmth to the existing environment.”
For all the tactile perks–art curated by Tatar Art Projects; Sferra linens; Toto electric toilets; custom embroidered robes; and an in-room Peloton, upon request—I found that having a private hour for our family in the 65-foot-long saltwater pool, just a minute’s walk from the suite, was my favorite inclusion. The team opened it to us at 9:00 p.m., just as a handful of other guests were finishing up an evening swim. New York City, unlike Los Angeles or even London, is not known for its hotel pools. But the Park Hyatt has arguably one of the best, with music from Carnegie Hall piped underwater (the famous music hall is just across the street). Striding in and splashing solo in a hotel pool, as if we owned the place? That’s something we can all get used to.
The Park Hyatt New York’s Manhattan Suite starts at $50,000 per night, and you can book by calling +1 (888) 974 5528.
