Verifiable Manhattan Luxury at The Park Hyatt New York

For all its famous luxury hotels, New York City is actually a rather difficult market in which to find a hotel that proves to be utterly sublime.

Perhaps, the target is just a few blocks too far out of the way or in an area mired by unsightly construction or a closed subway station. Perhaps, the building has more than a few quirks-from fussy elevators to rooms and public areas that are clearly a throwback to a time when humans were several inches shorter and several sizes smaller on average.

The Park Hyatt New York stands apart as a serene obelisk of bliss in a sea of great-but-not-quite-perfect Manhattan hotel properties.

From an almost unimposing exterior, one is immediately enveloped in a quiet calm-like a black-and-white reversal of the urban melee just beyond its doors. It's as though the staff have been expecting only you.

You're escorted into an elevator and elevated even further away from the harried maw of the city sidewalk, up into an Olympus-like middle perch containing immaculate living spaces, intimate front and concierge desks, and quietly humming dining.

The city is visibly present throughout the public spaces-large picture windows and soaring ceilings nod to an opulence and grandeur that one might expect in this greatest of cities. But the atmosphere is rarified and distinct-once through the doors, guests are of the city, but not in it; they've stepped out of Manhattan and into Park Hyatt.

The serenity continues through the avenue of objets d'art throughout the hotel's pathways and into the guest room corridors where dark woods and neutral tones calm and relax.

Guest rooms are gorgeous with electronic controls for lights and curtains. A rather Asian sense of décor provides a lacquered credenza concealing a Nespresso coffee maker, plenty of lovely china and glasses, a minibar with hopelessly fancy items-including a split of Krug priced at what might be a respectable down payment on a domestic subcompact-and a view of Central Park.

Le Labo bath products beg to be taken home. In Washington DC, it was a Bergamot flavoring; in New York City, Tuberose is the primary fragrance note. One might linger upon in the dual headed zero-grade entry rainforest shower or the delightfully long-I'm 6'9" and had leg room to spare-soaking tub whilst glancing at the integrated bathroom mirror television or simply pondering the zen of the room's refreshing stillness.

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The hotel's top floor pool seems to figure prominently in most marketing collateral and blog posts, with more stunning art suspended over the three stories of atrium and expansive views of Manhattan. Hotel pools are relatively uncommon in the city, and hotel pools of this magnitude are even more coveted.

The Jacuzzi features a thalassotherapy type reclining space, and the pool itself has a built-in sound system so the same tranquil strains of the curated playlist on the pool deck can be continued once underwater. Although it didn't prevent more than a few towel-clad guests from drippy elevator rides back to their guest rooms, there's an expansive changing room for pool and fitness center patrons.

The Living Room serves meals throughout the day, and the pricing is certainly at home in Manhattan-I paid around $40 for eggs, toast, and coffee. But the food is impeccable.

For a real splurge, there's caviar, champagne, and choice of lobster or wagyu beef on the room service menu at a cool $700 for two.

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The Takeaway:Some Manhattan hotels might have more history or more historic charm, but for urban escapists seeking utter calm after a day of crush and frenzy, The Park Hyatt New York is a comfortably posh tranquility-only zone.

The Damage:I haven't seen rooms less than $700 per night.

Instagrammable Moment:The gorgeous pool, which is popular, so go early to have the place to yourself.

Loyalty: World of Hyatt. Category 7, from 30,000 points for a free night.

Good to Know:The hotel will press a limited number of garments per stay; packing and unpacking services are available upon request. Let the door staff know where you're going when you get to the front door-a house car is often available for short trips within a ten-block radius. I was going fourteen blocks and they didn't bat an eye, insisting I take the comfortable Mercedes SUV instead of the subway.

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