A New York Minute: Le Parker Meridien

The location simply does not get much better. The service is top notch. The views are to die for. The amenities are exactly what you need. Le Parker Meridien checks off everything you need from a New York hotel, no matter who you are. Chinese tourists or Instagram models, classy ninty-year-old's or rowdy (in a cute way) 9-year-old's, all find their way to find their place, just a couple blocks south of Central Park at this legendary New York hotel.

This hotel succeeds in manifesting a juxtaposed world like no other hotel in New York really can. Stay at the Dream Hotel for a hip, trendy hotel. Or the Park Plaza for a classy, more regal hotel. But for a taste for both worlds, where cool collides with class, you stay here, at the Hotel Le Parker Meridien. We'll start with the most important criteria in a city hotel though, and that's its location.

Location: A-

Located on 56th street, 3 blocks south of Central Park and a 5 minute walk from three different subway lines, you really can't beat this spot in New York. We had no issues getting around, and actually ended up getting Citi bikes for a day to explore the island. New York is awesome in that there is just so much to do in such a compact area, and Le Parker Meridien is smack in the middle of all the action. 

Our first destination upon unpacking in the room was of course getting lost in Central Park.

Rooms: B+

Getting a room with a view of Central Park is crucial. It truly is breathtaking looking out over one of the most incredible urban landscapes in the world. Other than that, the rooms offer free wi-fi, comfortable beds, and actual space, which is pretty rare in New York, let alone Manhattan. The staff here went above and beyond (as they always do, which I'll explain about more-so in a second) to make us feel welcomed with a lovely bowl of fruit and welcome letter upon arrival. What is lacking here is storage space. Which is true for so many hotels that it is unfathomable to me. There's only a couple drawers and a few hangers to store all the clothes and whatever-else-you-bring-to-New-York. Then there's the desk, which is one of my favorite desks of any hotel in the world. They truly do take advantage of the view, and make it one of the best places to sit down and get to work. The bathroom was sleek and gave you what you need, with a nice shower (another important component of judging the quality of a hotel). Overall, the room was solid. No real complaints to speak of, much like the rest of the hotel.

A pretty spacious room, especially for New York standards, to go along with the sleek lines and modern-vintage (if that makes sense) amenities.

Amenities: A

Yes, this is the same hotel as the photo above. Now you get the whole juxtaposition thing I was talking about.

This is what the burger place looks like on the inside-definitely unexpected but totally cool!

Need to shave? Quick trim? These guys got you covered, located right next to the main elevators of the hotel.

For New York standards, Le Parker Meridien has a ton to do. There's an expansive gym (again New York terms) with racquetball and basketball courts. There's a nice rooftop pool and rooftop sundeck. There's a hidden burger joint that is overpriced but seriously tastey. There's a classy cafe-turned-cocktail-bar. There's a barber shop. There's a...you get the point. At no point will you be at a loss for things to do while staying at the Le Parker Meridian, trust me. The pool itself isn't anything to write home about, but the fact that it is on a top floor, overlooking Central Park, with massive windows bringing in tons of natural light but keeping it temperate during the winter months. Just outside the pool, there is an expansive sundeck with lounge chairs and astro-turf all around the roof up on the 42nd floor. It was a bit too windy while we were up there to enjoy actually sun-bathing, but we definitely took advantage of the views and snapped some awesome photos. The hidden burger joint has no name and is literally hidden behind a curtain with nothing more than velvet ropes, which adds a certain level of excitement and mystique to lunch, something that I must say I did enjoy. The burger is expensive, costing you around $25 for a good meal of burger, fries and a drink, and by no means is exclusively the food worth that price, but when you factor in the whole environment, along with the fact that this is New York after all, I was happy with the meal. Lastly, we had a simple breakfast at the cafe of pastries, fruits and lattes which was perfectly light and in a beautiful location just besides the lobby. 

Here's what a $25 hidden New York meal looks like. The fries were honestly better than the burger, but you be the judge. Price aside, this joint is worth a visit.

Service: B+

Look, that's a generous grade for New York. These guys do their best but there's still moments where the staff would ever-so-slightly break character and really show their New York selves, which personally I loved, but when reviewing a staff's service, had to note. I did appreciate the bell men holding our luggage for more than 12 hours because our flight was at 4 AM. I also loved the little things, like a welcome basket of fruit and the smiles from the staff all around the hotel. So definitely a solid job by the staff at the Le Parker Meridien. 

Lovely welcome gift by the great staff of the hotel-especially Director of Guest Communications Lisa Tharp!