I was lucky enough to secure a free night at the Park Hyatt New York before they all but withdrew this option. Their room rates are extraordinary – often over $1,000 per night – and the use of 30,000 Gold Passport points seemed the best way to go! The property is pretty new and has received mixed reviews.

ARRIVAL
I got in late after an Uber trip from JFK. The traffic in the area was pretty busy and my driver was not really sure where the property was located. However, once we got close the bright lights of the awning over the entrance was all that I needed to locate the property.

You enter the hotel on the Ground Floor and  I was intercepted by one of the staff who works in that area. They redirect you to Reception on the First Floor for check-in. However, it turns out that they were expecting me and so I was wizzed up to my room for check-in.

LOBBY
The public areas have strong design features but are constructed to create a relaxed atmosphere.

As we changed lifts just past the Reception desk, the employee explained about my breakfast options (room service or the restaurant we had just passed), about the WiFi and of course the car that the hotel provides for short distance trips from the hotel. The agent confirmed that they had upgraded me to a suite which was lovely and completely unexpected.

ROOM
Wow!
It’s not often that I get to stay in a thousand dollar a night hotel, let alone in the Park Executive Suite they gave me which sells for about $2,500. Thank You Hyatt!

The room was stupendous. As soon as you walked through the door the understand elegance was noticeable. The bright red flower, place against a large mirror reflecting the hardwood floor.

The lobby opened in to the living room with a large sofa against one wall and two chairs around low table. There was a proper desk there also. The drapes added an very classically classy air to the room.

On the opposite side was an understated cabinet that contained several more treats:

By opening up the doors I located the coffee machine and mini-bar.

Opening up the mini-bar proved a surprise – although who cannot love a hotel that has a 1/2 bottle of Krug in its mini-bar?

Across from the sofa was the wall mounted flat screen HDTV with surround sound!

The sliding doors in the lobby provided coat storage areas

BEDROOM
The bedroom was simple and straightforward. An ultra comfortable bed, great linens, and another TV. All I needed.

All of the lights in the room could be controlled from a panel next to the bed which made going to bed very easy. Indeed next morning I was able to open the drapes from the same panel, on to grey New York morning.

BATHROOM
The bathroom is adjacent to the bedroom. It has a large area featuring the bath and wash basins, together with the toilet and separate shower. Luxury abounds – a huge bath tub, next to the window in which to wallow. A TV embedded in the mirror above the sinks so you can watch CNN and shave at the same time. A hi-tech loo, with lots of washing and drying features. Freakishly the lid of the loo is motion activated and opens whenever you enter. It’s a little odd.

THE VIEW
I was on one of the relatively low floors (16), although all the top floors of the tower are apartments and do not form part of the hotel. Outside I could see the Park Terrace Suite below mine – complete with a outside patio.

Not the most inspiring view of New York, but who cares when the room is so lovely?

BREAKFAST

Many of the features of the hotel are available from the iPad located on the desk. I had a little trouble with this at first as it seemed to lose the WiFi quite frequently. However, having been told I could have my Diamond Gold Passport breakfast in my room, I managed to make it work long enough to place my order.

It duly turned up in about 20 minutes. Had I paid for this I would have been charged $54. Yes you read right – fifty four dollars. Thank you Gold Passport. But it was great!

In particular the warmed pastries deserve a mention for tastiness! When my tray was collected about an hour later I hang on these as they were so good.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

You can see from the drawing above how much larger the suite I was given is over the rest of the normal rooms in the hotel. It was such a pleasant surprise.

The agent who brought me from Reception confirmed a 4pm checkout without problem. I notice my Diamond Amenity was in the room when I arrived, although they did credit me with the 1,000 points as well which was kind.

I had Uber pick me up and as soon as I got down to the lobby the doorman identified the car for me right away.

I was sad to leave, not least for this wonderful bath tub: