The Park Hyatt New York is a wheelchair accessible hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is the flagship property in the Hyatt portfolio and one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
While in New York last week for the 2017 Freddie Awards, I had the pleasure of staying at the Park Hyatt for one night. In using a free night certificate earned through the World of Hyatt rewards program, I gained one of my most memorable hotel experiences to date. It was a stay marked by refined luxury, attentive service and an unparalleled attention to detail. My expectations were high after receiving a welcome note from the hotel’s guest relations manager, Roshni, which stated, “we hope that we become your new home in the city.”
Reservation & Check-in
About two weeks before my trip, I booked my room using a free night certificate. As a luxury hotel in New York City, the Park Hyatt commands substantial nightly rates. These were the accessible room options when I made my reservation:
Because my certificate was only good for standard rooms, I booked the double bed room with a tub. After reaching out to Hyatt via Facebook Messenger (yes, you can do that!), I was confirmed into the studio suite with a king size bed and roll-in shower. This allowed me to get $975 in value out of my award night, which was fantastic!
I showed up for check-in early, at about 10:00 in the morning. Although my room wasn’t ready, the hotel staff quickly got me into an accessible room, where I was able to rest until my studio suite was ready. I was escorted to the room, and briefed on some on the features that are unique to the property.
Wheelchair Accessible Hotel Room #1109
My studio suite, room number 1109, was only a touch larger than the standard room I was given initially. The room had a king size bed and was ADA compliant in every way.
The king size bed was luxurious, soft, plush, inviting, comfortable – every adjective that I can think of. I sunk into the Hyatt Grand Bed and fell asleep almost instantly.
The bed height was manageable, but there was not space to use a hoyer transfer lift due to the platform base. If you’re able to transfer without a lift, as I am, you’ll be able to enjoy a fantastic night’s sleep.
Both sides of the bed were accessible to my wheelchair (an ADA requirement in rooms with only one bed). Power outlets built into the wall were easy to reach, as were the buttons that controlled lighting and the window curtains. Lamps on each nightstand were easy to operate; a wireless telephone was placed to the left and an alarm clock to the right.
The desk was beautiful and faced the window. While the view isn’t that great from the 11th floor (many tall buildings surround the hotel on 57th Street), there is a lot of action down below (it’s New York City!). In this expanded studio suite, there is plenty of space to move the chair out of the way. Another telephone is placed here (just out of the picture frame), and a tablet controls things like lighting and the bluetooth speaker (which offers amazing sound quality). A second television is affixed to the wall above the desk.
As a Globalist in the World of Hyatt loyalty program, I receive a welcome amenity upon check-in at many hotels. The Park Hyatt New York delivered the one pictured above, which included a chilled bottle of wine and a generous compliment of melt-in-your-mouth chocolate morsels. The time and attention paid to drawing a world map outline on the plate (in chocolate!) really impressed me. It was a fantastic presentation, and seemed uniquely “globalist.” 😉
If the wine included in the welcome amenity wasn’t enough, I could have partook of the minibar:
Coffee, tea and espresso were free, as were the Park Hyatt branded bottles of water, but the snacks will cost you. For a luxury hotel, I found the minibar prices to be quite reasonable. I was also delighted to find Krug champagne and Woodford Reserve bourbon among the selection, two of my absolute favorite alcoholic beverages.
Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom
The wheelchair accessible bathroom is large, and meets ADA accessibility requirements in every way.
Double sinks share a countertop, and both provide space to roll a wheelchair underneath. Towels are folded and placed on a rack beneath the sink, which made them easy to reach and accessible. Fresh flowers atop the counter added a touch of luxury, as did the television built-in directly to the mirror.
A toilet on the opposite side of the bathroom features grab bars on the two adjacent walls. The toilet paper roll is well placed and within reach when seated on the toilet. A telephone is attached low on the wall, which should provide comfort in the event of an unfortunate slip or fall. Fortunately, there is plenty of space to park a wheelchair alongside the toilet allowing for safe transfers.
The wheelchair accessible roll-in shower is hidden behind a door to the left of the sinks. Oftentimes, putting a door between the primary bathroom space and the roll-in shower decreases accessibility, but this was not the case at the Park Hyatt. The door was easy to open (I pulled it outward), which revealed an expansive space.
A large shower bench folds down from the wall. Horizontal grab bars are placed on two of the walls. The handheld water nozzle and water/temperature controls were within reach of the bench. Not seen in this photo is a rain shower, built into the ceiling. It is centered in the shower space, and does not release water over the shower seat itself. The water pressure was great and the handheld showerhead had multiple stream settings.
Best about my shower experience, though, were the toiletries:
Le Labo is a luxury brand of soaps and fragrances. A special scent and formula was developed for the Park Hyatt New York hotel. Let me just say, the shampoo, conditioner and shower gel are my new favorites. They are exquisite. Sadly, you can’t buy them anywhere – they are exclusive to this Park Hyatt. I’m sure the hotel won’t mind if you take a few bottles home with you. I hope not, anyway! 😉
Room Service
While I order room service at hotels quite frequently, I don’t typically write about it in these hotel reviews. That is because the quality of room service doesn’t vary much among the hotels that offer it. But Park Hyatt hotels offer a luxury dining experience, including in room service.
After a late night out at the Freddie Awards and the after parties, I slept in until about noon. Thankfully, breakfast is served 24 hours a day through room service. Food is not cheap at the hotel, but I thankfully receive a complimentary breakfast due to my Hyatt Globalist status.
I ordered the “57th Street Breakfast” from the menu, as well as a fruit plate. Within about 20 minutes, breakfast was rolled into my room and the attendant set it up on the portable table. I was pleased to discover that the room service carts are height appropriate for wheelchair users!
The entire meal was delicious, but my favorite were the breakfast potatoes. Cooked and seasoned to perfection! The presentation was lovely, and the entire breakfast experience was top quality.
Location & Transportation
The Park Hyatt New York is located on West 57th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenue. Only two blocks from Central Park, guests are within walking distance of the shopping on 5th Avenue and many fabulous restaurants. You’re also likely to spot a celebrity or two in the area, with the JW Marriott Essex House, Ritz-Carlton, Plaza Hotel and Trump Hotel all within a few blocks of the Park Hyatt. It’s a very happening place in New York City.
Hailing a wheelchair accessible taxi is becoming easier in the Big Apple, with more adapted vehicles than ever on the streets. The bellman will flag one down for you and, depending on the time of day, it should only require a few minutes’ wait.
For the more budget conscious (like me!), the city bus is the most accessible means of public transport in Manhattan. There are bus stops on every corner, but the most useful routes stop along 7th Avenue. Turn right out of the hotel, and you’ll be at 7th in about a minute. For more information on public transport in New York City, click here.
The hotel offers complimentary car service within a radius of 10 blocks. While the vehicle is not wheelchair accessible, I am confident that the Park Hyatt will see to it that you receive an equivalent accommodation (like an ADA taxi paid for by the hotel), as the law requires.
Final Thoughts
When you don’t want to get out of bed or step out (*roll* out) of the shower, a hotel has done something right. The difference at the Park Hyatt New York is that they do everything right. And, if you’re disappointed in anything (I was not), they will correct it immediately. The service at this hotel is unparalleled.
I felt very much at home, at every point of my stay. The hotel offers more than a bed, it offers an experience and an oasis. Amid all the stresses of traveling with a wheelchair, I was comforted knowing that I’d come “home” to a place that would meet my every need. That’s rare, and I can’t wait to experience the Park Hyatt in New York City again.
