Park Central Hotel New York

The Park Central offers up an intriguing slice of New York history, complete with tales of mobsters and celebrities -- the likes of Mae West, Jackie Gleason, and Eleanor Roosevelt all once called it home (at least for one night). While the imposing exterior retains its original 1920s charm, the hotel’s interiors are polished and modern, thanks to extensive renovations undertaken in 2013. The sleek marble lobby is usually buzzing with an eclectic mix of business guests, international travelers, and tourist families. The same is true of the chic, retro-inspired Park Lounge that dominates the ground floor. By day, it’s full of guests lingering with luggage, working on laptops, or conducting quiet meetings. At night, the lights dim and a lively after-work and pre-theater crowd arrives to sip high-end cocktails on plush couches under looming modern chandeliers. The lounge’s subdued colors, clean lines, and retro touches carry through to the rest of the hotel’s interiors.

The Park Central's Midtown location is ideally located for exploring many of the city’s top sights on foot or by subway. Kitty-corner from world-renowned Carnegie Hall, the hotel is also less than a 10-minute walk from the famous Broadway theaters. Central Park is just three blocks to the north, while the frenzy of Times Square is 10 minutes' walk to the south. A 10-minute walk also takes guests to Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. High-end shopping and dining at the Time Warner Center are six minutes away on foot. There are four major subway stations in walking distance of the hotel: the 57th Street N, Q, R, and W station is a minute away; the 7th Avenue B, D, E, and F station is 3 minutes away; the 57th Street F station is a four-minute walk; and the 59th St-Columbus Circle A, B, C, and D station is a 6-minute walk. Guests can reach Lower Manhattan by subway in about a half-hour. A trip to LaGuardia Airport can take up to an hour in heavy traffic, and JFK International Airport an hour and a half.

Decorated in muted grays and silvers, the Park Central’s rooms are large by New York standards -- even the smallest include space for lounge chairs. Free Wi-Fi, 46-inch flat-screen TVs, pillow-top mattresses, and sleek workspaces with contemporary desk chairs come standard. Plaid carpets, beamed ceilings, and photos of iconic New York City landmarks give personality to the otherwise subdued rooms. The retro-inspired bedside lamps and funky chrome floor lamps are cool, but a lack of overhead lighting leaves the rooms feeling dim. Coffeemakers and mini-fridges are notably missing, though they’re available on request on a first-come-first-served basis.Closets are equipped with safes, irons, and ironing boards. Clean decor lines carry into the bathrooms, which feature marble countertops and large mirrors framed in light. Vibrant modern artwork supplies a welcome pop of color. Hairdryers and upscale C.O. Bigelow toiletries are provided, including eco-friendly pump dispensers in the shower/tub combos. Upgrading to a suite gets guests rooms with separate living rooms on higher floors and better city views. Some rooms have Times Square views. 

Features here are lovely, but not as substantial as some might expect given the price range. Tucked behind reception is the chic, two-story Park Lounge, the hotel’s centerpiece. Four massive, modern chrome-and-glass chandeliers loom over plush semi-circle booths with elegant chandeliers and communal tables with chrome banker’s lamps. Cozy nooks with posh seating and retro lamps create a sophisticated living room vibe. At the center of it all is the Art Deco bar, featuring a huge screen with rotating artwork on one side and a towering wall of artistically displayed wine bottles on the other. The bar serves high-end cocktails, wine, beer, and light bites in the evening. Weekday happy hour specials, weekly live music, and bi-monthly cocktail classes (for a fee) are offered. The casual Central Market off the lobby serves freshly brewed coffee and pastries from early morning until evening, along with fruit, snacks, and a small selection of wine and beer. The hotel notably lacks full-service dining and room service.A large, bright 24-hour fitness center overlooks 7th Avenue, and provides Cybex cardio and weight machines, free weights, yoga mats, exercise balls, and a kickboxing bag. Free headphones, water, towels, and a vending machine are available. The Park Central also features over 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including boardrooms, a 5,170-square-foot ballroom, and an open-plan mezzanine space with informal sitting areas. Near reception, there are iMac workstations for guest use. Free Wi-Fi is available in the rooms and public areas. Valet parking and airport transfers are offered for a fee. A mandatory facility fee is charged at check-in, and it seems pretty petty since it covers use of the gym and iMac stations, luggage storage, and unlimited local and long distance calls.