7 Staycation Ideas to Help You Explore NYC Safely
Who says you have to venture far from home to enjoy a vacation? Since COVID-19, we are all getting creative about how to make the most of our current environment. So, I wanted to share some of my favorite NYC staycation spots in order for you to get inspired to get away safely! It’s the perfect excuse to spend time outside and explore tourist attractions you may normally avoid. Here are 7 staycation ideas in New York City:
The Hotel: Check into Arlo NoMad, a boutique property in NoMad with floor-to-ceiling windows and an artsy rooftop with glass-floor views.
The Location: An ideal location to explore the city by foot, main attractions like the Empire State Building, Madison Square Park, and Herald Square are just a short walk away.
What you can expect during your stay: This property not only remained opened in NYC throughout the pandemic but also offered its rooms to frontline workers. What’s more, all linens sanitized in the high-temperature wash. Face masks are required for guests and staff in public areas. The guest room doors are sealed to ensure that guests are the first to break the seal after their room has been cleaned. Floors marked for social distancing and hand sanitizer available to guests in all rooms. Contactless customer experiences and disposable menus available.
The Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca
The Hotel: Known as “Robert De Niro’s hotel” because he is a co-owner, this 5-star property in Tribeca is a stellar choice for a staycation. Check into The Greenwich Hotel and experience a relaxing, luxurious oasis with a gorgeous garden courtyard and an imported Japanese bathhouse. There’s a spa, pool, and amazing restaurant, Locanda Verde.
The Location: Located in the heart of Tribeca (which stands for Triangle Below Canal Street), this hotel is located in a walkable neighborhood where you can easily unwind and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind. It’s also within walking distance from the World Trade Center, Battery Park City, and the 9/11 Memorial.
What you can expect during your stay: Touch-free check-in and checkout. Temperature check upon arrival. Restaurant service is available alfresco on the street side and in the Courtyard and indoors at a 25% capacity. Access to the hotel is only permitted to hotel guests. Each room contains a hygiene kit with disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer. High touchpoints are sanitized every 60 minutes.
The Hotel: Check into The Langham, a luxury, 5-star property on NYC’s famous Fifth Avenue. With 234 generously sized rooms, you’ll experience “Contemporary luxury meets Urban sophistication.” Enjoy 360 views of the Manhattan skyline framed by floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
The Location: The hotel is located in NYC’s bustling midtown, just a short walk away from Bryant Park and a few minutes on foot from the Empire State Building. It's also a convenient 12-minute walk from the Theater District.
What you can expect during your stay: Temperature check upon arrival. Contactless check-in and checkout. All linens sanitized in a high-temperature wash. Floors marked for social distancing. C.O. Bigelow hygiene kits provided for all guests with individually wrapped toiletries. Doctors available to guests 24/7. There’s a 24-hour minimum vacancy between guests.
The Hotel: Check into this super trendy, artistic, and historic hotel for a one-of-a-kind stay. Beautifully designed, all the rooms feature comfortable bedding and custom-commissioned artwork by Bard College students and alumni. Grab a cocktail at the hotel’s historic George Washington bar and then head to the hotel’s amazing restaurant, Simon & The Whale.
The Location: Conveniently located in Manhattan’s trendy & historic Flatiron neighborhood, the Freehand New York is a short walk away from Gramercy Park, Madison Square Park, and lots of great shopping, bars, and restaurants.
What you can expect during your stay: Contactless check-in and check-out for guests. All linens sanitized in a high-temperature wash. Face masks required for staff in public areas. Hand sanitizer available to guests. The staff wears personal protective equipment, including masks and gloves. All Freehand hotels are also certified by World Travel and Tourism Council as Safe Hotels.
The Hotel: A stay at the TWA Hotel at JFK is a must! The famed 1962 architectural wonder, this TWA terminal turned hotel features 512 “ultra-quiet” guest rooms, museums exhibits, and a Twister room where you can actually play a wall-to-wall version of the game! The hotel also houses the world’s biggest hotel gym, a 10,000 square-foot fitness center, and a pool.
The Location: Located at NYC’s JFK international airport, this is the perfect staycation spot! You don’t have to leave the city (well maybe just a borough) and you will feel totally removed from daily life!
What you can expect during your stay: Room keys are sanitized before distribution. Furniture has been spaced 6-feet apart to encourage social distancing. All linens sanitized in a high-temperature wash. Cleaning in all public spaces is increased with special attention to high-touch surfaces. Sanitizing stations are available throughout the hotel.
The Hotel: Check into 1 Hotel Central Park, order some room service, and watch the fall foliage of Central Park outside your window. The hotel is all-natural and was designed by using all reclaimed materials. It’s clean and sustainable design lends itself to the perfect staycation nature retreat, right in the heart of the concrete jungle. Note: They have major deals going on right now. If you book a room by November 30th, you get 30% off the regular hotel price. Now that’s a staycation steal!
The Location: As its name implies, 1 Hotel Central Park is located just a hop away from NYC’s Central Park. Conveniently located on the south side of the park at the Avenue of the Americas (aka 6th Ave), you can easily walk to Columbus Circle, stroll through Central Park, and maybe even go for an ice skate at Wollman Rink!
What you can expect during your stay: All guests are welcomed with a wellness kit and their luggage and packages are sanitized using UV technology upon arrival. Guestrooms remain unoccupied for a minimum of 24 hours in between guests. Contactless check-in, checkout, service requests, concierge support, and front desk text messaging.
The Hotel: The iconic Ludlow Hotel in NYC’s Lower East Side is the perfect spot for a staycation. Check into the hotel and get a room with a terrace! Grab drinks and dinner at the hotel’s delicious and trendy restaurant, Dirty French.
The Location: Located in New York’s historic Lower East Side neighborhood, the Ludlow Hotel sits in the heart of downtown NYC culture. Visit the local Tenement Museum, The New Museum, and the International Center of Photography — all within walking distance of the hotel. Shop around some great local boutiques, check out neighborhood cafes, bars, and sandwich shops, like Katz’s Delicatessen.
What you can expect during your stay: Contactless check-in and check out. All room keys are sanitized. Guest rooms remain unoccupied for a minimum of 24–72 hours before guest arrival. All throw pillows and blankets have been removed from guest rooms. Rooms are disinfected and sanitized using a touchless electrostatic spraying system.
Looking for more socially distancing things to do? Check out the many ways to indulge in all the wonders of Manhattan right now.