The Marmara Park Avenue Hotel NYC Review
The Marmara Park Avenue NYC is in the Murray Hill section of Manhattan. A ten-minute walk from Grand Central Station, the location of the hotel is known more for its boxy storefronts and affordable (for the City) first apartments than for charming cobblestone streets (SoHo) or high end shopping (Madison Avenue).
But this 126-room hotel woos a huge number of international visitors who seem to know what many locals and Americans don’t: that The Marmara is an alluring, kinda sexy, and wholly original boutique hotel that contrasts with its ho-hum surroundings.
In fact, the Marmara Park Ave was just added to this list of 10 NYC hotels that are sexy as hell.
With an indoor lap pool, a Turkish hammam, a Wellness Center, and rooftop bar featuring views of the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings, The Marmara Park Avenue is a New York City hotel to swoon over, and could be one of the top choices for a romantic getaway in New York City.
(To clarify – there is only one Marmara Hotel in New York City, no matter what Google tells you. The original Marmara Manhattan on 94th St. is now rental property building – not managed by the Marmara Group. In 2017, The Marmara Park Avenue opened as a luxury hotel on 32nd St).
First Impressions of The Marmara Park Avenue
The Marmara Park Avenue’s exterior is nothing to write home about. Go inside however, and it’s a whole different story.
Camouflaged by its dark office-building façade, the Marmara Park Avenue’s lobby is surprisingly light and airy and oh so cool. A dead ringer for a modern art museum, the space is flooded with natural light, thanks to a whole wall of floor to ceiling windows.
Check in at one of two sculptural front desks, backed by a trio of wrought iron statues. A large-scale mobile of artisanal doves in flight cascades from the ceiling near a funky chrome stovepipe fireplace. These two works of art separate a soaring bar from the hotel restaurant section.
Lobby seating, composed of various types of contemporary couches and “birdcage” seats, is arranged to maximize group conversation.
Drinking and Dining at The Marmara Park Avenue NYC
Complimentary coffee and Rice-Krispy styled snacks are served in the morning. Or, for a fee, choose from an “American,” “Continental,” or “Turkish” breakfast in the small hotel lobby restaurant.
Sure, the City embraces a world full of restaurants right outside the door. But if it’s nasty weather, or you don’t want to leave your chambers, you can just order up room service. And, if you feel like eating with company, enjoy steaks, lamb, pasta, and sandwiches in the art-filled lobby restaurant. Guests have given the food two thumbs up.
The handsome, soaring Lobby Bar functions as a gathering spot for guests and their friends before heading out on the town.
Balcon Rooftop Bar
If you are here in the warmer seasons, make sure to have a drink and a bite at the Balcon Rooftop Bar. From here, Midtown Manhattan views are epic: the balcony overlooks both the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and more.
Even if you don’t imbibe or want to order anything, come up just for an authentic New York City experience. And bring your honey – it’s the perfect place to snuggle. (And take pics).
Rooms at Marmara
Guest rooms at the Marmara Park Avenue are the opposite of cluttered. Each with just one punchy piece of art in whitewashed surroundings, the effect is clean and fresh. Besides, why bother with tons of paintings inside, when, from your window, you can marvel at real-time New York City scenes
Bedding is sensationally soft, with cuddly pillows and cloudlike duvets. And, the bathrooms, though small, are impeccably designed, and immaculately kept, with mosaic floors and shades of gray tiled rain showers.
Although not necessary for a romantic getaway, my room – a suite – featured a small King bedroom, a Queen size Murphy Bed in a second nook for another couple (or a couple of kids), and two bathrooms.
Amenities at The Marmara Park Avenue
All the amenities below – pool, hammam, fitness center – are free for guests. Spa treatments (massages, etc) are extra.
Indoor Lap Pool
A rarity for a small boutique hotel, The Marmara has a beautiful indoor lap pool with lifeguard: a boon for visitors. When I visited, a repeat guest from Pennsylvania was using the hotel’s Pool lift to get back into his wheelchair. He said he only stays at the Marmara when he’s in NYC for the service, friendliness, and to swim in this ADA compliant lap pool.
Hammam
The Marmara boasts another rare amenity in NYC, a hammam – otherwise called a Turkish Bath. Not a bath in the basin of water sense, the hammam is more like a marble steam room, that, in Turkey, serves as a place to socialize. Here, you can steam away for free, or pay for a relaxing Hammam “bubble-bath” treatment.
Wellness Center
You can book massage – or double massage – treatments for a fee.
Gym
There are several state-of-the-art workout machines; plus weights, balls, and straps in a small gym.
