A stay at iconic The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

Unmatched elegance meets the iconic charm of Central Park.

For those seeking an unforgettable experience in the heart of Manhattan, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park delivers luxury at every turn, making it one of the city’s most prestigious addresses. Located steps from the world’s most famous park, this five-star hotel invites guests to indulge in an opulent experience while enjoying spectacular city and park views.

Location

Exterior of Ritz Carlton — Guests are treated to expansive views of the Big Apple’s iconic park.

Nestled directly on Central Park South, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park places guests at the heart of Manhattan. This prime location offers easy access to iconic New York City attractions, including Fifth Avenue shopping, Carnegie Hall and the Museum of Modern Art. Whether you’re interested in leisurely park strolls or immersing yourself in the city’s cultural landmarks, everything is just moments away.

Style and character

Ritz-Carlton lobby — The interiors are inspired by Central Park’s sights and sounds.

The hotel exudes timeless elegance with a nod to old-world charm. Lavish furnishings, sumptuous fabrics and classic artwork combine to create a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere. From the grand lobby to the intimate nooks in the lounge, every detail reflects an air of understated luxury. The Ritz-Carlton’s design mirrors its Central Park surroundings, incorporating rich textures and colours that evoke the changing seasons of the park.

Facilities

La Prairie Spa at Ritz Carlton — Indulge your senses in the onsite luxury spa.

Guests at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park can enjoy an array of top-tier amenities. The onsite La Prairie Spa offers indulgent treatments, including the signature caviar firming facial, while the fitness centre is well-equipped for any workout.

There is an option to upgrade to Club Lounge access, where guests can unwind and enjoy complimentary breakfast, lunch, hors d’oeuvres and a selection of beers, wines and cocktails every day from 7am to 10pm. On Friday between 5pm and 7pm, the lounge serves Champagne and caviar. Club Lounge access also allows guests to have two pieces of clothing per stay pressed.

Rooms

Elegance defines the guest rooms and suites, many of which feature breathtaking views of Central Park. I stayed in a Park View Room with Club Lounge access, which was spacious and meticulously designed. The room is outfitted with plush bedding, a marble bathroom and luxurious amenities. This room type is exclusively on the lower floors, so while it had a view of the park, it was at tree level so don’t expect the panoramic views some of the rooms up higher have.

Food and drink

Contour in Ritz Carlton — Contour boasts an elegant ambience and unmissable gastronomic delights.

The Ritz-Carlton’s dining experience is as refined as the hotel itself. Contour, the hotel’s sophisticated gastro lounge and bar, offers a modern American menu with dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy craft cocktails and small plates in an intimate setting that is as luxurious as the rest of the property. In-room dining is available 24 hours a day, perfect for those looking to savour a private meal with Central Park views.

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Access for guests with disabilities?

The hotel is fully accessible, with wheelchair-friendly entrances, elevators and accessible rooms that include features like roll-in showers and lowered countertops. The staff is highly attentive to the needs of guests with disabilities, ensuring a seamless and comfortable stay.

Family-friendly?

Ritz-carlton club lounge — The Club Lounge is the best spot to relax and unwind with your loved ones.

While known for its refined ambience, The Ritz-Carlton also caters to families. The Ritz Kids program provides little ones with special amenities, from welcome treats and a dedicated check-in area to games in the Club Lounge.

Details

Best for: Luxurious stays with unparalleled Central Park views in a prime location
Address: 50 Central Park South, New York
Cost: From approximately $1500 per night, depending on room type and season

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Experience timeless luxury at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park