Elizabeth Thorp (elizabeth.thorp@gmail.com) loves traveling with her children.
When we checked into 70 Park Avenue, a hotel in New York’s Murray Hill neighborhood, we were welcomed with goodie bags for our two kids filled with crayons, toys, and a wonderful diary to capture our NYC experience. When our luggage arrived in our room, so did two bowls of ice cream for the girls.
Craving some New York indulgence but stuck with the kids for the weekend? You can still pack your Kate Spade diaper bag and check into a luxury hotel that’s family-friendly. As parents—of a two- and a three-year-old—who love New York, we’ve found a few.
Our new favorite is 70 Park Avenue, formerly the Doral Park Avenue, which opened in 2004. The hotel is beautiful yet comfortable. It felt like we were in our own Park Avenue pied à terre.
The rooms are a generous size by New York standards. We had a king room with an attached double room for the girls. (Although the four of us could have comÂfortably shared one room, we decided to splurge on privacy.) In the kids’ room were candy and toys to make bathtime fun. We each had our own minibar, bathroom, and 42-inch flat-screen TV complete with Nintendo. A last-minute request for a crib was quickly honored.
Staff members were well informed about kid-friendly activities and restaurants. At their recommendation, we enjoyed a wonderful brunch complete with a patient waitstaff and pink frozen kiddie cocktails at Rosa Mexicano on Columbus Avenue.
The hotel is at 70 Park Ave. at 38th St.; 877-707-2752; 70parkave.com. Rates begin at $425 a night; $295 for the adjoining room. Ask about its Sundaes on Sunday package, which entertains children with make-your-own sundaes, an in-room movie, and other treats. It’s $375 with accommodations in a deluxe room with two double beds. The hotel can arrange babysitting.
Hip families will also enjoy the Hotel Gansevoort, one of our recommended hotels (see page 107). The “Honey, We’re Stuck With the Kids” package, which starts at $965 a night for two deluxe attached rooms (one king, one twin), includes a licensed babysitter for four hours, dinner for two at a hot restaurant, milk and cookies, unlimited video games, daily movie, board games, and continental breakfast. Go in the summer and enjoy the rooftop pool. While the sitter’s on the clock, have a nightcap at Gansevoort Spa & Lounge, the hotel’s spa by day, club-of-the-moment by night.
Hotel Gansevoort, 18 Ninth Ave. at 13th St.; 877-426-7386; hotelgansevoort.com.
