Item: The Marmara Park Avenue
Rating: 2
Author: Jason Cochran

The Marmara Park Avenue

The Marmara Park Avenue

Jason Cochran

See Pricing and Avilability

More people ought to know about this approachable, classy option, a 10-minute walk east from Macy's and directly upstairs from the 33rd Street stop on the 6 train, on a mellow block more known for offices than hotels. It's obvious that they're going for a thoughtful approach because the hotel's custom features are more detail-oriented than the machinelike business hotels in Midtown that may cost more. Your wallpaper will likely be one-of-a-kind, and the freeform lobby architecture may put you in mind of an urbanized interpretation of Cappadocia, hinting, but only to the savvy, at the property's sophisticated Turkish roots.

All of that would mean nothing if the guest rooms weren't also comfortable. They're done in soothing putty-and-slate colors that make your quarters feel bespoke, not corporate. Expect wood floors and area rugs with light-colored leather couches, which lend a homey and European-style urbanity. In their size (generous) and appointments (deeply piled beds, products from Manhattan-based C.O Bigelow amenities in the bathrooms), larger units feel more like apartments than hotel rooms. While upper floors on the north/ 32nd Street side of the building have views of both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, many rooms on the south of the tower have unobstructed views all the way downtown. In-room iPads can used for concierge services, but on our most recent visit the information contained in them was limited.

Residence-category rooms feel even more like permanent homes—they come with a kitchen, including cooking range and microwave, and washers and dryers for laundry in lower-floor suites (studio, one- or two-bedrooms). The best ones even have outdoor terrace spaces, a rarity in this town.

In the cellar, there's also a pool and wellness center with a unique-for-New York twist: Turkish Hammam-style services, including treatments on an elevated gobektasi, a heated marble slab, that can be reserved ahead. These come in handy to soothe the body after a long day of trooping around Manhattan's sidewalks and stairs.

Food (including room service) leans toward fresh ingredients like carpaccio, tartare, hummus, steaks, and salads, and the wine list includes special vintages from a vineyard in Central Turkey that's connected to the owners.

Up on the 20th floor, the evenings-only Balcón, one of Manhattan's under-discovered rooftop bars (it's open to non-guests, and seasonal), offers premium craft cocktails and wrap-around terrace views that take in both the south (downtown and the Freedom Tower) and the north (a great view of the proud Chrysler and Empire State buildings).