Le Parker Meridien

Le Parker Meridien Review

A splash of kookiness in otherwise staid Midtown, the Parker Meridian combines the comforts of a dependable large hotel with elements of whimsy that keep visitors coming back. The little touches shine through. Start with the lobby, where lines form for iconic patty-palace Burger Joint, hiding behind a velvet curtain. This carefully dressed-down fast-food restaurant serves one of the city's best patties. If you've got more scratch, there's always the famous $1,000 omelet at Norma's for brunch or breakfast, though the restaurant also serves slightly more cost-effective options. Rooms are modern functionalist, with low platform beds and televisions hidden in recessed, cherry-paneled cabinets that rotate. Views of Central Park are worth asking after, though city views are also impressive. The 20,000-square-foot gym is one of the largest in the city, and now includes a blow-dry bar, mani-pedi boutique and the Moonshine Spa. One caveat: the boffo lobby, with marble floors, archways supported by hand-painted columns, and an espresso bar that converts into a bar at night, can get crowded at peak times.