1 Hotel Central Park – Hotel Review

Billing itself as a ‘sustainable sanctuary’, the Midtown Manhattan haven that is 1 Hotel Central Park more than delivers on its promise. Natural elements punctuate almost every space throughout the property — situated less than a block from Central Park and 15 minutes’ walk from Times Square — from with the ivy-draped exterior right through to the reclaimed barnwood ceilings that crown the guest rooms. It’s a welcome reprieve from the pace of the city outside and once you’re ensconced in this tranquil tower, the frenetic energy of central New York dims to a blissful hum. Read on for the full review. 

Where is 1 Hotel Central Park? 

On the corner of 6th and West 58th Street, 1 Hotel Central Park has a stellar position in Midtown. From here, the closest subway station is 57 Street (a block away) and JFK is about half an hour by cab (with no traffic, of course). If you’re LaGuardia bound, it’s about 25 minutes. 

What’s near 1 Hotel Central Park?

Just a block from the southern edge of Central Park, the hotel is perfectly situated for a stroll in the iconic green space. It’s also helpfully close to Midtown’s other big ticket sites, including MoMA (seven minutes by foot), Rockefeller Center (12 minutes) and Times Square (15 minutes). 

Room types 

The rooms are excessively cosy and homely, enveloping you on arrival. It’s the careful use of reclaimed materials — raw timber, blackened steel and bricks — give the rooms the kind of life cookie cutter hotels always overlook. The details don’t just impart a feeling of warmth, however: they’re purposefully chosen to fit the hotel’s eco-friendly ethos, with organic cotton mattress, sustainably-sourced linens and bathroom products as well as cotton robes, filtered water taps and shower timers, as a gentle reminder for a shorter scrub. 

The Park King is particularly cute, with a picture window nook high enough to glimpse Central Park views. 

Restaurants and bars 

The hearty on-site eatery Jams brings delicious food from farm to fork, under the stewardship of chef Jonathan Waxman. The menu is a celebration of honest produce, from Rocky Mountain lamb chops to Hudson Valley trout. Colourful veg plays a starring role in each dish, reinforcing seasonality.  

Travel for work

The Hive, a hub of working kiosks with a printer and iPad, is great for business travellers who don’t like being confined to their rooms. There are desks in rooms for those who prefer the quiet, along with free wi-fi. Meeting spaces at 1 Hotel Central Park are as chic as the rest of the hotel, with capacities from 25 to 100.

Gym

The on-site fitness centre is bigger than most hotel offerings, with free group classes, Peloton bikes and views over 58th street.

Sustainability

Sustainability is the heart of the hotel’s hospitality. Not only is the hotel 100% carbon neutral, there are over 35,000 ivy plants throughout the property to assist with carbon offsets, as well as a fierce commitment to sustainably-sourced food served in its eateries. 

Accessibility   

The hotel has helpfully detailed the accessible areas of both the hotel and its 12 adapted rooms for travellers with disabilities, inclusive of grab bars, widened doors and visual sensors in rooms.  

What you need to know

The adorable Seedlings program, aimed squarely at kids, includes in-room camping. Coupled with the fresh fruit farm stand (free for guests with the USD$45 daily amenity fee), is another clever addition.

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