Park Terrace Hotel Review with Photos: Deluxe Studio Room in Midtown Manhattan
Positioned directly on Bryant Park and within walking distance of Times Square, the Park Terrace Hotel is raising the standards in an area dominated by aging chains. Its airy guest rooms, well-endowed fitness studio, quick and understated service, and access to a private members' club makes it one of Midtown Manhattan's best values.
Park Terrace Hotel Review with Photos
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Highs: Most rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors which open completely. Comfortable beds. Name-brand amenities.
Lows: No free breakfast. Some furniture feels well-used.
Verdict: High-quality finishes, thoughtful room design, and practical amenities make the Park Terrace Hotel uniquely ideal for experiencing the city.
The Room to Get: Deluxe Studio.
Park Terrace Hotel Location and Architecture
Park Terrace Hotel Exterior. Image: Stonehill Taylor.
Any way you slice it, bringing a new hotel to New York City is a monumental proposition. Converting or renovating an existing hotel is a major undertaking. Building one from the ground up is exceedingly difficult. It follows that building a hotel from the ground up directly on one of New York City’s most vibrant green spaces is beyond unlikely.
Yet, here we are. Not only is the Park Terrace Hotel a ground up construction on one of NYC’s favorite parks, the hotel’s building, known as The Bryant, was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Sir David Chipperfield as his first new build in NYC.
Architecturally, the Park Terrace Hotel’s tower both blends in and stands out. The tower references its Beaux-Arts neighbors with regular setbacks and horizontal reliefs and creamy color, but modernism is the spiritual leader: uniform columns and walls of glass vary in height, but never in width. The precast concrete terrazzo panels are polished into a bright and soft matte finish on all sides; offering a hint of Palm Springs modernism.
A site-specific trick achieves a sense of symmetry: the landmarked mansion on the left of the tower simultaneously tops out where the rooftop terrace of the member’s club on the right emerges, together centering the tower and bringing light in from all directions. While not the tallest tower on the block, these clearances afford surprising views in all directions. There also are hints of a modernism in the accessory details— window frames, railings and doors are all rendered in black metal.
Park Terrace Hotel Entry. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The convenient location of the Park Terrace Hotel cannot be overstated. Immediately, the Park Terrace Hotel overlooks the iconic Main Branch of the New York Public Library as well as the verdant Bryant Park, which has a robust calendar of events all year long (recently hosting an official watch party for the NBA finals).
The hotel lies in the orbit of some of NYC’s most critical zones, with the business-heavy Midtown East and Grand Central Terminal a few blocks to the east and Times Square and Theater District mere blocks to the west. The monumental Empire State Building is visible from south-facing rooms.
While taxis are easy to hail, the Park Terrace Hotel benefits from a set of subway stations literally outside its front door: 42nd Street - Bryant Park is served by the B, D, F, and M trains, which can take you to all over the city. On the north side of the park, the 7 train stops at 5th Ave - Bryant Park, granting access to Queens and Hudson Yards.
Park Terrace Hotel Arrival and Check-in
Occupying fifteen floors of the tower, the interiors of the Park Terrace Hotel were the responsibility of Stonehill Taylor, a design firm known for its playful use of scale, careful management of flow, and creative application of texture and color.
Here, Stonehill Taylor infused a sense of indoor/outdoor living, starting in the lobby. The successful terrazzo-clad effect from the exterior is brought inside, visually merging environments.
Lobby of the Park Terrace Hotel. Image: Stonehill Taylor.
Walls of wood panelling, low seating, and a monumental bronze chandelier feel distinctly modernist. A reception desk hewn from a block of marble is a clever little affair with all of the computers and telephones hidden behind a low bronze barrier. A service door, rendered in wood panel, is practically imperceptible to the eye.
Atmospherically, the feeling in the lobby is closer to that of a residential building with a doorman rather than a hangar for business people (which most lobbies in part of the city are). While there are two restaurants attached to the tower, the space here is intended for guests of the hotel only.
Elevator at Park Terrace Hotel. Image: Ben Schmidt.
With no lines to contend with, the check-in was a quick task, with the front office staff informing me of a small event taking place at the private club, Branch, while also sharing details about the sauna and fitness areas at the property. While guests can receive a physical key, Park Terrace Hotel’s “Wallet Key” is digitally-enabled, allowing guests to skip the front desk entirely by using their iPhone or Android as a key to the room as well as access amenities on the property.
In practice, the lobby is a pause point before being whisked away to your room via an elevator bank. A note of caution: some elevators drop you in the residential part of the tower, but the doorman will guide you home.
Park Terrace Hotel Ice and Water Area. Image: Ben Schmidt.
On the landing of each floor, guests can treat themselves to unlimited water and ice (along with a refilling station).
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio with Park View
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Accommodations at the Park Terrace Hotel are organized in a straightforward manner: 226 rooms and suites across nine categories. Among the rooms and suites, the primary differences lie in square footage and views. All rooms enjoy access to Branch, the member’s club, the fitness center, and many rooms feature Juliette balconies with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio. Image: Ben Schmidt.
This is especially true for the Deluxe Studio, a comfortable arrangement located on the higher floors with two sets of doors that can be slid open to the city. There is a contemporary feeling here, light and airy by day and chic and elevated by night.
Park Terrace Hotel Architect and Designers
The guest rooms, suites, and residences are designed by Stonehill Taylor. Architecture by Sir David Chipperfield.
The layout of the room is quite practical, wherein the bed is tucked into an alcove away from the front door and hallway noise. The sitting area has an adjustable coffee table and a fold-out sofa. Unfortunately, the Deluxe Studio lacks a desk, and some of the furniture feels well-used. However, nothing was broken or missing.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Sitting Area. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The color palette here is at once post-modern but quite hygienic: lots of white and gray, with touches of mint and barenia. Textures range from chrome and walnut to frosted glass and soft carpet.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio View. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio View. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The showstopper is certainly the view, and the interior design avoids overpowering it. Instead, the interior design plays off this view, with the frosted glass feeling like an import from the nearby glass towers. The exterior of the hotel (visible in the periphery) plays off the marble of the library and stone facades of nearby buildings. The sounds of the city rush in with the doors open, but the room is very quiet when sealed.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Wardrobe. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The wardrobe is well-stocked with a range of essentials including a robe, yoga mat, umbrella, and ironing board.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Coffee. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Snacks. Image: Ben Schmidt.
All Deluxe Studios feature a foyer, wardrobe, and sitting area. Coffee service is provided by Nespresso. The room features a range of small snacks and drinks available for purchase.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Bed. Image: Ben Schmidt.
An analog clock, oak headboard and side tables, and petit chrome lamps bring a modernist feeling to the bedroom alcove. The sliding glass doors offer a view of Midtown at the 20-yard-line. In lieu of conventional wall art, a light panel washes a bedside graphic.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Bed Linens by Matouk. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The bedroom features cotton linens by Matouk.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Television. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The technology suite in the room is very simple— no complicated control panels or iPads. The adjustable flatscreen television features access to the hotel directory and a wide range of television channels.
Bose Bluetooth Speaker in Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio. Image: Ben Schmidt.
One of my favorite features in any hotel, the room features a Bluetooth speaker by Bose. One of my favorite activities is having some classical music streaming along in the morning or some sleek house music in the evening.
High-speed WiFi is complimentary throughout the property.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Bathroom
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Bathroom. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Just off the sitting area, the bathroom is a glowing cube of inspired hygiene and modernity; dense with sleek and glossy textures. You can’t help but feel beautiful here. It feels like being at the makeup counter at a chic department store or some type of futuristic bathroom on a spacecraft.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Bathroom. Image: Ben Schmidt.
A single vanity is hewn from a block of marble glows under a backlit mirror. Countless towels in all shapes and sizes live within reach. Full-size amenities are provided by Malin+Goetz.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Bathroom. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The standing shower area sports two water features: a handheld device and a fixed rainfall shower head. Body wash, shampoo, and conditioner are by Malin+Goetz. The shower does not have any seating.
Park Terrace Hotel Deluxe Studio Bathroom with Amenities by Malin+Goetz. Image: Ben Schmidt.
All together, the bathroom is a refined escape within a room already replete with top-quality finishes.
Park Terrace Hotel Service and Staff
Park Terrace Hotel Elevator. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The Park Terrace seems to have a “should not be seen nor heard” policy in respect to guests interacting with staff. Even the cleaning team is fairly elusive (but they are active!). Instead, most requests are handled by way of a phone number posted around the room and public areas. Responses are quick and requests are satisfied quickly. The request for a toothbrush and razor were completed within 15 minutes.
That said, the hotel does have a helpful concierge based in the lobby, offering recommendations, reservations, tickets, and more— things that are arguably more important to guests staying in this part of town.
Park Terrace Hotel Welcome Letter. Image: Ben Schmidt.
In the room, we were greeted with a letter by the general manager along with a welcome amenity which came in the form of a local lemonade and local popcorn.
General Manager Jeffrey Felshaw’s modern approach to management is well-reflected in the hotel. For the intention of this property— an escape in the center of everything— an understated approach to service makes sense.
Are pets permitted at Park Terrace Hotel?
Park Terrace Hotel welcomes no more than one pet per guest room at no additional cost.
Most guests are spending time outside of the room but may stop by the hotel two or three times in the course of a day. Business travelers are likely to make use of Branch, the private club on the sixth floor.
Park Terrace Hotel Spa, Facilities, and Amenities
Branch Club at Park Terrace Hotel. Image: Ben Schmidt.
One of Park Terrace Hotel’s most unique spaces is Branch, the private club on the sixth floor. Exclusively open to members and hotel guests, this place is remarkably dynamic and adaptable. In the morning, it was our starting point: taking in the view of the park and getting some early work done while enjoying fresh coffees, juices, and morning pastries.
By evening, Branch has a tendency to transform into panel discussions, open bars, DJ sets, and more. A schedule of events ensures something new nearly every day. The space itself, a soaring room of green, oak, and lush plantings presents an interesting opportunity for locals and guests to mingle. The long bar is especially active, with bespoke cocktails on rotation, along with bar classics.
Branch Club Terrace at Park Terrace Hotel. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Branch extends outdoors with a glass-walled space and an open-air terrace with direct views over Bryant Park. The atmosphere is genuinely one-of-a-kind, where the city feels completely accessible and immediate.
Fitness at Park Terrace Hotel. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The Park Terrace Hotel has a focus on health and wellness on an individual basis. A good example of this is the sauna, which is only available on-request and limited to just a few guests at a time. Meanwhile, the fitness center is open 24 hours per day and features plenty of machines, weights, yoga mats, balance balls, and other essentials.
Park Terrace Hotel Food and Dining
Breakfast at Branch at Park Terrace Hotel. Image: Ben Schmidt.
While we took breakfast at Branch each day, Park Terrace Hotel benefits from being in the center of the city, and hosts two restaurants in on its ground floor, La Pecora Bianca and Talea Beer Company.
Does Park Terrace Hotel have room service?
La Pecora Bianca, is an Italian restaurant on the first floor of the hotel. It offers room service for breakfast, lunch and dinner within specific hours.
La Pecora Bianca is an all-day spot in Midtown, offering refined Northern Italian fare in a booth-lined dining room with particularly remarkable pastas. Talea Beer Company originates from Williamsburg, offering a wide range of local beers and bar snacks. It’s grown to become a popular after-work hang out.
Park Terrace Hotel Conclusion
Park Terrace Hotel Keycard. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The Interior Review can recommend the Park Terrace Hotel to those looking for a comfortable stay in the heart of Manhattan. Ideal for families and business travelers alike, we appreciated the gentle service, easy access to the member’s club, and the ultra-functional guest room.
Park Terrace Hotel is located at 18 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018. More information and booking can be made here.
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