NEW YORK IS BACK, BABY!
There is nothing quite as fun for art and tennis lovers as New York City and the US Open. After the year-that-shall-not-be-named, we were thrilled to make our annual pilgrimage again. Masked and vaxxed, New York City did not disappoint!
We began our visit by checking into the stunning Park Hyatt NY. The hotel is conveniently located in upper midtown across the street from Carnegie Hall and just steps away from Central Park, Lincoln Center, and the Museum of Modern Art. From the street, the entrance to the Park Hyatt whispers elegance and discretion: the lobby is several floors above street level which caters to guests in-the-know. This is just one of the many reasons the Park Hyatt feels so special; if you are there, then you are part of the club.
Park Hyatt NY is a sophisticated five-star hotel that offers distinctive design, world-class service, and a carefully curated art collection. The public areas and guest rooms are spacious and beautifully appointed, the walls and ceilings clad in warm hardwood, Italian marble, and hand-painted canvas. Our one-bedroom suite was palatial with high ceilings, a gorgeous bathroom plus powder room for visitors, a separate bedroom with ample storage, and a large living room with comfortable, modern seating and floor-to-ceiling city views. It was perfect for visiting with friends and working remotely without feeling cooped up. The hotel offers a beautiful bar, glorious indoor pool with towering windows, state-of-the-art gym, and luxurious spa. My preferred partner benefits include a complimentary room upgrade and late check-out at booking plus daily breakfast for two, $100 food/bar credit, and VIP service.
The second half of our visit was based downtown in Soho at The Dominick. The West Village and Soho offer such a different experience from upper midtown. Home to many students and artists, the streets are lined with cafes and shops. These neighborhoods are less polished than what you find in midtown but staying in an upmarket hotel strikes a nice balance. The Dominick offers generous rooms and suites with excellent views from every angle including the soaking tubs! There is a soaring lobby, outdoor pool with lounge and cabana service, and Vestry, a Michelin-starred Asian fusion restaurant. We enjoyed dinner service and late-night bar snacks at Vestry; the dishes, design, and service were impeccable. My complimentary benefits include a room upgrade and late check-out at booking, destination fee waiver, daily breakfast for two, $100 food/bar credit, and VIP service.
The city was vibrant and alive as one wants New York to be but a little easier to navigate without tourists from around the globe. All our favorites were open: The Met, Guggenheim, MoMA, and Whitney museums for art; Dizzy’s, Bemelmans, and Mezzrow’s for jazz; Broadway for performances of Springsteen, Hadestown, and Pass Over. Masks were required and vaccine cards were checked against photo ID. We felt safe and giddy to be enjoying all that we had missed.
The highlight was the US Open. For most tennis fans, Wimbledon and Roland Garros are bucket list events but, in my experience, the first week of the US Open cannot be topped. We love to court-hop all day and night, watching world class players up close and personal. Ashe Stadium is the only court which requires a reserved seat but it is one of the largest in the world and the action feels remote. We enjoyed two full days of the tournament this year with match play beginning at 11am and extending beyond midnight. If you are a tennis fan and ready to travel, let’s talk!