Where to Stay - New York City 2009 - page 53

Jumeirah Essex House In 2006, the Dubai-based hotel
group Jumeirah took over managing the landmark 76-year old hotel
overlooking Central Park, which had become worn around the
edges. After a $90-million renovation, the hotel was unveiled, and
the results are sparkling. The lobby has been spruced up but retains
the Art Deco look with its black-and-white marble floor, white ban-
quettes where afternoon tea is now served, and historic photos of
New York lining the corridors. The rooms have been updated with
neat wall-to-wall wooden cabinetry, leather-framed mirrors, and
window blinds that mirror the leaf patterns you might see across the
street in the park. State-of-the art technology, such as “stumble
lights” underneath nightstands, has been added as part of the reno-
vations. You won't find tiny rooms here, nor should you; suites are
magnificent, especially those overlooking the park.
160 Central Park South (btwn Sixth and Seventh aves.), New York, NY, 10019. & 888/
645-5697 or 212/247-0300. Fax [phone]. www.jumeirahessexhouse.com.
515 units. From $709 doubles; from $959 suites, Valet parking $55. AE, DC, DISC,
MC, V. Subway: N, R, W, Q to 57th St. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; lobby lounge;
afternoon tea; fitness center; spa; concierge; room service; business center; dry
cleaning. In room:A/C, TV, Wi-Fi, minibar, hair dryer, iron, safe, speaker phones.

Le Parker Meridien Not many hotels in New York can
rival the attributes of this hotel: Its location on 57th Street, not too
far from Times Square and a close walk from Central Park and Fifth
Avenue shopping, is practically perfect; the 17,000-square-foot fit-
ness center, called Gravity, features basketball and racquetball courts,
a spa, and a rooftop pool; three excellent restaurants, including
Norma's (p. 92), for breakfast, and the aptly-named Burger Joint,
rated by many as the best burger in the city; a gorgeous lobby; and
elevators with televisions that show Tom and Jerry and Charlie Chap-
lin shorts. The spacious hotel rooms, though a bit on the IKEA side,
have a fun feel to them, with hidden drawers and swirling television
platforms, inventively exploiting an economical use of space. Rooms
have wood platform beds with feather beds, built-ins that include
large work desks, stylish Aeron chairs, free high-speed Internet, and
32-inch flatscreen televisions with VCR, CD, and DVD players. The
slate-and-limestone bathrooms are large but unfortunately come
with shower only.
118 W. 57th St. (btwn Sixth and Seventh aves.), New York, NY 10019. & 800/
543-4300 or 212/245-5000. Fax [phone]. www.parkermeridien.com. 731 units.
$600-$800 double; from $780 suite. Extra person $30. Excellent packages and week-
end rates often available (as low as $225 at press time). AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Parking
$45. Subway: F, N, Q, R to 57th St. Pets accepted. Amenities: 3 restaurants; rooftop
pool; fantastic fitness center and spa; concierge (2 w/Clefs d'Or distinction); weekday

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