On a recent trip to New York, my husband and I decided we wanted to stay near Bryant Park. Over the past 20 years or so, the almost 10-acre park in the middle of the city has undergone a 180 degree transformation, becoming one of the most vibrant green spots in Manhattan.
As a former New Yorker, I’ve watched this space with fascination as it’s gotten a complete makeover and become the place to hang out. After finally experiencing the Winter Village — the popular holiday market that I’m going to make a new annual tradition — myself last December, I became really interested in Bryant Park and the more than 1,000 events it hosts annually.
The lobby of New York’s Park Terrace Hotel.
(Park Terrace Hotel)
To easily access summer activities like yoga on the lawn, movie nights and the outdoor Reading Room — all free! — we booked a room at Park Terrace Hotel, located directly across the street from Bryant Park.
We chose it for its convenient location and glorious, obstructed views but got so much more than that.
Many of the rooms at Park Terrace Hotel offer gorgeous views of Bryant Park.
(Park Terrace Hotel)
Designed by Stonehill Taylor in warm, inviting tones with a residential aesthetic, the 226-room Park Terrace Hotel has an intimate vibe that immediately makes you feel at home. Our room was spacious and featured windows that actually opened — a rare treat in an urban hotel, especially one in New York.
Because it was a beautiful night, we took advantage of the fresh air and cool breeze as we got to enjoy the sights and sounds of Bryant Park from the comfort of our 14th floor room. When the window was closed, we couldn’t hear a peep from outside but there was some kind of concert going on and we loved listening to the music while we relaxed in bed.
The well-appointed rooms at Park Terrace Hotel invite you to make yourself at home.
(Park Terrace Hotel)
Speaking of the bed: OMG. As part of Park Terrace’s Restorative Sleep Package — a must-experience in the city that never sleeps — our Deluxe Studio King Room featured an AI-powered king-size Bryte Restorative Bed that you can customize to your heart’s content.
We were so excited to try it and immediately scanned the QR code on each of our phones, settling in for a demonstration and experimenting with the settings. We answered questions about our individual preferences and were amazed that we could each customize our own side of the bed for things like mattress firmness because my husband likes a really firm mattress and I like a really soft one.
Park Terrace Hotel provides everything you need for a great night’s sleep.
(Lois Alter Mark)
Although I really wanted to watch a movie and was thrilled to see Park Terrace lets you pair your device with the TV so you can cast content on to the big screen (why doesn’t every hotel have this feature???), we ended up going to bed earlier than we would have because we were just so curious to see if the bed actually worked. Spoiler alert: it did.
While we slept, the bed quietly did its thing, adjusting the temperature and pressure control as necessary to keep us comfortable and asleep. I can’t tell you exactly how it did any of that but we woke up refreshed and ready to start the day.
According to the email we received after waking up, we each slept for more than 9 hours, with a 95% sleep efficiency. I honestly don’t think that’s close to being accurate but I did sleep better than usual so I’ll take it as a win.
Park Terrace guests are welcome at Branch, a members-only club located inside the hotel.
(Park Terrace Hotel)
For breakfast, we headed down to Branch, a private, members-only club where guests of Park Terrace are allowed to dine, work or just chill out on the gorgeous terrace.
If I still lived in New York, I would seriously consider joining this club because I adored its botanical-inspired look and think it would be a great place to bring my laptop to write.
We ate under the all-weather pergola and admired the views from the expansive outdoor terrace, understanding and appreciating what a luxury this was in New York. Sitting out there made me wonder how many other beautiful private spaces exist in the city — there is a whole world out there that most of us will never get to see — and it made me grateful for getting to experience one of them.
I can’t wait to book another stay at Park Terrace in the winter when I’ll be able to spend time at the holiday market in Bryant Park, drop my packages back across the street at the hotel and return to the market. And you can bet I’ll be eating breakfast under that all-weather pergola — even if I have to wear my down jacket.