Amidst the OutThere energy of New York City, the sleek urban sanctuary that is Thompson Central Park deftly strikes a balance between the frenetic pulse of Midtown Manhattan and the infamous green urban oasis that inspires its name. And despite the hotel’s ‘four-star’ rating, luxury travellers shouldn’t be deterred. This Hyatt-branded lifestyle property has a more boutique approach to hospitality, and beyond its unpretentious and dynamic exterior lies a five-star soul, plus an inclusive haven that welcomes the LGBTQ+ traveller with open arms.
The name says it all: Thompson Central Park puts Manhattan’s green lung on our doorstep. The hotel was just a stone’s throw from the park’s southwest corner, and truthfully, we couldn’t have asked for a better location. Not being early risers or morning joggers, we opted for a leisurely afternoon wander instead. Central Park is a green gasp in the city’s relentless roar – somewhat of an urban miracle – where time seems to soften and every well-trodden path serves as a gentle reminder that, even in this concrete metropolis, nature’s heart still beats.
Having this iconic space so close by may well be one of the hotel’s most alluring features. But it is also ideal for travellers who crave the cultural vibrancy of Midtown (Broadway, Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center and MoMA, along with must-visit landmarks such as Rockefeller Center, the glitzy retail delights of Fifth Avenue and of course, the LGBTQ+ watering holes of Hell’s Kitchen) all just a stone’s throw away.
First things first. Thompson Central Park is rated as a four-star hotel, which we know might give some OutThere travellers pause. If you’re the type who seeks opulence during your stay – ornate marble lobbies with crystal chandeliers, a rooftop pool, or butler service, even – you won’t find that here.
However, if you’re after a distinctively cool, typically Thompson experience with a youthful, contemporary energy that mirrors the city itself, this might be just the ticket: a lobby that greets you with the kind of dim, flattering lighting usually reserved for first dates and concept stores, a boutique spa and fitness facility with instructor-led classes and Peleton bikes and a Dry-bar for that post-flight blow-out.
The hotel features a lively, modern ambiance with a buzzing clientele. When we checked in, the lobby resembled a terrarium of Patagonia vest-clad New Yorkers (and their visiting counterparts) with artfully tousled hair, thick-framed glasses and oat milk lattes in hand, all head-down, huddled over their MacBooks – you know the type. We fit right in! These “Thomp-ers” (not an official term, but we’re coining it) are savvy, independently-minded travellers who are looking to reimagine old-world luxury hospitality.
The Thompson Hotel brand champions a philosophy of approachable luxury, blending upscale comfort with a strong sense of local culture and community. They aim to create immersive experiences where guests feel like insiders, offering thoughtful design, vibrant social spaces and curated, neighbourhood-inspired touches.
We feel that in a destination like New York, with its kaleidoscopic vibrancy tempting you to get out and explore, perhaps there’s no real need for over-the-top extravagance when choosing a hotel. Of course, there’s plenty of glitz and glamour nearby if that’s your thing. That’s precisely what the big-name hotels around Central Park purvey. And don’t get us wrong – we’re not saying it’s “apples to apples” here in any way, but the Thompson Central Park’s understated, boutique charm with its thoughtful attention to detail can possibly give them a run for their money.
We were lucky enough to snag one of the Thompson’s spacious Studio Suites, reminiscent of an artsy Manhattan loft. While its big windows bathed the room in natural light, it only offered views of next door’s office building (that’s Manhattan for you) despite being billed as one of the hotel’s ‘Upper Stories’ suites. But if you demand a view, that’s possible too… just upgrade to an Upper Stories Thompson Suite. The most premium of them come with the eponymous view of Central Park.
The design was modern, polished and impeccably styled, without feeling overtly formulaic, which sometimes branded lifestyle hotel rooms can be. Having stayed in several Thompsons across the USA ourselves, you can take it from us that there isn’t a templated brand-wide Thompson room. Each hotel boasts its own, individual aesthetic.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Insider | JFK / LGA / EWR | GMT -5 |
| While you’re Out There |
| While the hotel’s dining options are solid, another good thing about staying at Thompson Central Park is its proximity to some of the city’s best dining and nightlife. Whether you want to indulge in a Michelin-starred meal at nearby Marea, or Afro-Carribean cuisine at Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi or even grab a casual slice of pizza from Joe’s on Broadway, you’re spoiled for choice. And as we alluded to before, when it comes to nightlife, the nearby bars and lounges of Hell’s Kitchen and the Theater District are just a short walk away. |
This one featured muted tones, polished wood and a 2020s take on mid-century furniture accented by bold, contemporary photography… a curious blend of minimalism and aspiration.
The layout of the suite was also rather clever. Suites generally infer separate living and sleeping spaces, and this one was really a large studio with a centrepiece floor-to-ceiling shelf that sectioned the space off into ‘rooms’, yet still maintaining an open-plan feel. On one side of the shelf was the bedroom, and on the other, the living room.
A large smart TV can be pivoted 180 degrees to allow it to be watched from our bed and also from the huge, plush, blue-velvet L-shaped sofa that takes up much of the living room area. This rather strokable piece of furniture was a win for us. We are big on rooms with sofas and chaises; too many hotels these days feature tiny toadstool ottomans and space-saving armchairs in place of ample seating, and while this may give design-conscious travellers an immediate aesthetic dopamine hit, it does not make for comfort.
A little bar area with high-stools – a characteristic of many American hotels – doubled up as a work desk, and for us, the hotel had laid out a selection of amenities: a bottle of bubbles on ice, fresh fruit and a box of cookies by Cookie Crumz, a queer-owned cookie shop in Astoria. They saw us coming, but joking aside, that’s just the level of detailed personalisation that we were talking about earlier.
The bathroom, though not enormous, was a well-designed space, equipped with a rainfall shower and luxe bath products from Brooklyn’s own DS & Durga – a nice sense-of-place touch that added to the boutique hotel vibe. However, we did find that the lighting in the bathroom could have been a bit brighter, especially around the vanity. It’s a minor, perhaps almost petty gripe, but for those who rely on good lighting for their morning routine, it’s worth mentioning.
Another highlight of the suite experience was the access to the hotel’s chic Upper Stories Lounge. And we can tell you that there are not many four-star properties that offer this perk. Thompson Central Park’s club lounge added a layer of upgraded luxury to our stay. Located on an architecturally impressive mezzanine floor, the lounge offered a complimentary light breakfast and refreshments throughout the day. The team working here needs a special mention – with servers always remembering our names and how we took our coffee, throughout our stay. Having a club space was quite the bonus from a NYC hotel, and while it was inevitably covered in the suite rate, it felt generous in a city that never gives you very much for ‘free.’
Dining options at the Thompson Central Park are a curious mix, each with a quirky charm. Indian Joint served up bold, fragrant South Asian dishes, while the equally imaginatively named Burger Joint, hidden behind a velvet curtain like some fast-food speakeasy, offered sandwiches as big as our expectations. Parkers on the other hand, offered a menu that evolves with the seasons, inviting hungry guests to indulge in noveau American dishes designed for sharing, each perfectly matched with the cocktail offerings, not to mention a vibrant tribute to New York’s musical soul and the hotel’s former guise as the Le Parker Meridien. We enjoyed a special Drag Brunch here to raise money for local charity Broadway Cares / Equality Fights AIDS.
Our visit coincided with Pride Month, and we have to say that we were inspired by what Thompson Central Park had done to get behind the celebration. Their VIP manager (who is also the co-Chair of Hyatt NYC’s HyPride LGBTQ+ employee resource group) really went the distance to put on programming to celebrate the community and pulled out all the stops in a truly authentic and heartwarming way. It was nice to stay at a hotel that authentically shows up for the community and lets guests ‘stay as they are’.
In a wider sense, Hyatt encourages all their guests (and team members) to always be their best, authentic selves and are committed to fostering a world of understanding and inclusion beyond words, supported by real, meaningful action. What’s not to love?
Photography courtesy of Thompson Hotels
