1 Hotel Central Park

The place

Just south of Central Park, an industrial-style building softened by green. AvroKO threaded the interior with lush greenery and natural materials, leaving the building's original bones — exposed concrete, steel columns — in plain view.

The 234 rooms and suites follow suit: a warm, earthy palette, reclaimed wood furniture, barnwood ceilings, a marble shower, Bamford toiletries at the sink. Some suites open onto private furnished terraces with the city spread below.

The gym is state of the art. At Jams, chef Jonathan Waxman cooks farm-to-table, drawing on fresh, quality ingredients from local farmers and growers. More good tables and bars wait around the hotel.