New York City. For many of us it’s been a long time since we’ve hailed a cab, felt the rumble of a subway beneath the sidewalk, or enjoyed the cozy harmony of a popular New York restaurant. For me, absence has made the heart grow fonder and a recent trip back has made me optimistic for the city, its people and culture.
Like the city, the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown (FSNYD) is back. The only hotel in lower Manhattan with a Forbes 5-Star Rating and one of only 3 hotels in New York City with a 10-Star Rating across the Hotel and Spa, reopened late last year every bit the grand, luxurious refuge it has always been.
It occupies a sweet spot in TriBeCa, close to Wall Street, City Hall, the West Village, and the Brooklyn Bridge. The discordant din of the city fades as you enter into its stately beauty. As befits a Four Seasons, the hotel is spotless, the staff outstanding, and the rooms spacious and elegantly adorned. Our room had a surprising amount of space for an NYC hotel including a view of the Oculus transit hub and the Freedom Tower.
A rarity in NYC, FSNYD has an 7f-ft indoor heated pool with a relaxing resort feel. You can lounge by the water or hit the impressively outfitted gym and yoga studio.
There’s a full-service spa with an infrared sauna, steam rooms, and plenty of options for self-pampering. The new Self-Healing Immersions focus on skin care, fitness and flexibility, heart health, or even getting a better night’s sleep. You may select a single treatment or a multi-day experience.
FSNYD has partnered with the Princeton Longevity Center in creating a unique package for preventative medicine, anti-aging and heart attack prevention. It begins at the Next Generation Health facility at nearby One World Trade Center for a comprehensive exam using state-of-the-art imaging and artificial intelligence. The participant stays in one of the hotel’s Oculus Suites, enjoying daily in-room breakfast and targeted treatments including massage, yoga and meditation.
Speaking of in-room breakfast, there are few combinations in life better than hotel robes and room service. Executive Chef Maria Tampakis recently took the reins in enriching the hotel’s offering through collaboration with other well-known NYC institutions. Throughout her career, Tampakis has worked with globally celebrated chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal. Before returning to NYC, she was the Global Culinary Director for the Estiatorio Milos Restaurant Group. A Brooklyn native, she’s thrilled to have the opportunity to make her vision a reality and guests are lucky to experience her outstanding culinary creations.
We also visited the hotel’s restaurant CUT by Wolfgang Puck. The restaurant is an interesting mix of classic style and modern artistic flare. Wood floors and an expertly stocked old world style bar blend seamlessly with red neon accents, giving the space a warm and sensual feel. The food is excellent, combining classic favorites with more modern and eclectic dishes.
Art is everywhere in New York whether it’s hanging on the wall in a museum or all around you in the city’s street. The FSNYD launched one of the most interesting and unique activities I’ve experienced with their “The Streets are a Gallery” street art and photography tour. Hosted by well-known photographer Joe Thomas, the tour covers some of the best street art in New York City. While strolling through some of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods, Joe points out dynamic and interesting murals and street art most tourists never get to see.
We wanted to fit a lot in to our first trip back to the city and New York is nothing if not exciting. It’s time for New York to come roaring back. The quality, style and luxury of the FSNYD is a great choice for those that want to experience everything the city has to offer.
For more information visit www.fourseasons.com/newyorkdowntown
