"Why book? The Loews Regency New York Hotel offers a luxury New York experience that focuses on elevated service and comfort, making you feel like you’re at home while amongst one of the most rarefied addresses in the world. Set the scene For all the change that New York City has undergone lately, Park Avenue remains an exalted address synonymous with business, power, and prestige. Even the layout of Park Avenue—the wide thoroughfare with a landscaped median running through it—is an iconic Big Apple scene, especially when the tulips are blooming in the spring. But north of Grand Central Station, around 58th street, the power suits begin to give way to strollers and cartoon backpacks, and it's here on the corner of 61st and Park where go-getters go to unwind. Yet, this isn’t an over-the-top, in-your-face, too-fancy establishment. There’s a subtle Art Deco flair in the lobby, and the hotel feels very much like an Upper East Sider’s regular hangout that's frequented by the building’s actual neighbors and their friends. The crowd does skew slightly more mature, but for good reason—these are neighborhood locals who have already made it. The backstory This is not just the flagship property of Loews Hotels & Co., it’s also the very first hotel in the collection, opened in 1963. Back then it boasted high-tech amenities such as bathroom telephones, silent typewriters, and TVs. Sixty years later, the property still prides itself on having the best of the best, with in-room amenities such as giant flat-screen TVs and high speed Wi-Fi. The rooms The rooms defy two dreaded fears about New York City hotels—space and noise. Immediately upon walking into my Luxury King room I was impressed, and relieved, by the generous amount of square footage. There was plenty of room next to and in front of the plush bed to walk around, do stretches, and even set up a rollaway bed if you'd like. An expansive desk and chairs made WFH–work from hotel–comfortable and actually enjoyable. The room was also super quiet, partly because it faced the more-residential 61st street, but also because the soundproofing on the windows is that good. My first night there, I slept better than I had all month at home. It nails the modern comforts in the guest rooms with gourmet mini-bar snacks and bathroom amenities from Julien Farel, the hair entrepreneur with an eponymous salon on the hotel’s second floor. Bath robes and slippers are provided, and if you forget your toothbrush or toothpaste (which I did) housekeeping can run a set to you within minutes. The bathroom was an average size, but with plenty of toiletry storage space on the mint green vanity. Another surprise was the long and deep closet with plenty of room for two people to set up their clothes for a month. It’s no wonder many Upper East Side residents shack up here when their apartments are being renovated. If you’re looking for even more space, a little-known feature is that it has a whopping 58 suites—many of them specialty suites with unique layouts and styles. The Uptown Bohemian is a favorite for young families since it has plenty of living room space and a small kitchen—all done in a modern and fresh decor. The Bespoke suite is a one-bedroom apartment; the Atrium Suites, a one-bedroom with separate living room and a small office, offers the only atrium windows in the building with views out to Park Avenue and beyond. Food and drink The Regency Bar and Grill has long been a spot for power breakfasts amongst the city’s movers and shakers. Even after the pandemic, which forced the hotel to close for over a year, this remains a place to be seen when making deals. At night, seats at the bar are almost always full of regulars and hotel guests alike mingling at happy hour, with the bubbly energy spreading out into the lobby. The restaurant is also a favorite at lunch amongst locals, who order up Joan’s Chopped Salad—named for Joan Tisch, mother of Loews Hotels executive chairman Jon Tisch, who used to live in the hotel—and hearty soups and sandwiches. If it’s just coffee you’re in need of in the morning, the lobby serves complimentary Four Five Coffee while the Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar has a larger selection of coffee drinks and pastries. Or skip socializing altogether and order room service, which features a few menu selections from The Regency Bar and Grill. The spa The Julien Farel Restore Spa and Salon is a must-visit during your stay, whether for an expert blow-out or a spa treatment. The spa has created its own "Power Hour” treatment, inspired by the hotel’s power breakfasts and lunches, where you can receive three or four services in 60 minutes. And like other parts of the hotel, the spa and salon are regularly frequented by locals. The Julien Farel fitness center is also extremely well-equipped, with a row of treadmills, a handful of Peloton bikes, weights and strength machines—and views out to 61st Street. The neighborhood/area This section of Park Avenue is known as Lenox Hill—and despite the frenetic pace outside, it feels more like a small neighborhood, with older couples and families going about their days. It’s still not far from the action by any means: A few blocks away are the high-end shops of 5th Avenue and the top midtown restaurants, while the subway station at Lexington Avenue and 59th makes it easy to commute around the rest of Manhattan. And best of all, it's just two blocks east of Central Park where you can walk, run, or simply stroll and take in the extraordinary dichotomy of New York City’s skyscrapers and nature. The service Many staffers at the hotel have been there for decades and are friendly with regular guests—making it feel more like you’re staying in an apartment building than a hotel. For families Families will appreciate the extra space in the standard guest rooms, but for those with more than two kids the suite offerings make it possible for everyone to have enough space during their stay. The hotel also offers complimentary cribs and baby bath toiletries for those traveling with infants, as well as a selection of games and activities like board games, coloring books, and PlayStations. Eco effort The property participates in Loews Hotels' Good Neighbor program, an environmental and social program that aims to be a positive force for the local community as well as the planet. Sustainable measures include recycling bins in guest rooms, seasonal menus in the restaurant, recycled paper products, and energy- and water-conservation. To give back to the local community the hotel donates excess food to local food banks and shelters, and encourages employees to volunteer in local community activities. Accessibility Accessible units have a door clearance of 32 inches, along with roll-in showers. Service animals are welcome and in-room TVs have closed captioning. The hotel also has a TTY system for guests, and Braille signage. Anything left to mention? The pandemic has altered hotel check-in, with most travelers now confident enough to use a mobile room key, or even print their own from a kiosk. Yet here the attentive check-in service by a front desk attendant is very much alive. A QR code is offered as a way to access information about the hotel such as dining menus and spa hours, but everything else is done in traditional fashion." - Juliana Shallcross
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