Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown

The high-rise Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown opened in 2016, joining other new properties, restaurants, and shops that are making the area more attractive to tourists and not just business travelers. The luxury brand's attention to detail is noticeable as soon as guests arrive to the flagged entrance flanked by uniformed doormen. Interiors are unsurprisingly sleek and polished, with lots of dark-wood paneling, marble, geometric-print chairs and rugs, and shiny metal accents. A few seating areas are presented in the lobby for lounging, but the corporate atmosphere is more conducive to suited businesspeople than tourists in shorts. While the design throughout is certainly sophisticated and impressively modern, the hotel seemed to be ironing out some kinks during our stay a few months after opening. Water for our room and several others went completely out around 4 p.m. and we were told we would be contacted as soon as staff knew when the problem would be fixed. We made repeated calls throughout the day and into the evening without a change in status, until we eventually had to request a new room at 10 p.m. to shower. We were never offered a room or anything more than water bottles during the interim period without running water, which is odd for a hotel of this caliber. Given the abundance of luxury properties in New York City, it's worth comparing rates and amenities. The nearby Beekman, A Thompson Hotel is a gorgeous, artfully designed property (though lacking a spa), while The Ritz-Carlton New York Battery Park is a quiet alternative with excellent views of the Statue of Liberty.

As its name suggests, the Four Seasons is located in the downtown area of Manhattan, making it particularly convenient for business travelers working in the Financial District. It's just steps from a small park housing New York City Hall, and is within a five-minute walk of multiple subway lines. One World Observatory is a five-minute walk, while Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange are about 10 minutes. Numerous restaurants, takeaway spots, and clothing stores are in the surrounding area. However, getting to uptown sights like Central Park and Times Square will require a 20-minute subway ride or 30-minute drive. JFK International Airport is about an hour drive away. LaGuardia is around 45 minutes, traffic permitting. Newark Liberty International Airport is roughly 40 minutes by car.

The 161 rooms and 28 suites feature contemporary and swish furnishings in a neutral palette, similar to the design in the lobby. Patterned carpet, a mix of wood finishes, gray or beige walls, and crisp white bed linens give the rooms a refined look, but the lack of color and personality can feel a bit staid. However, rooms are impressively large for a New York City hotel, starting at 400 square feet (37 square meters), and all have a small couch, table, and desk with a chair. Comfortable beds with down pillows and duvets can be customized with a choice of firm or plush mattress toppers. Amenities are also luxe, including 55-inch flat-screen TVs with HBO, extensive minibars, Nespresso machines, kettles alongside tea, iPads for accessing hotel services and newspapers, Bose stereo systems, and free Wi-Fi. Roomy closets have laptop-size safes and ironing facilities, as well. Suites add separate living areas with more seating and dining tables; some suites have terraces and views of the city. Bathrooms are stunning. They're decorated with marble floors and mosaic wall tiling in light shades, and feature deep stand-alone tubs. Separate showers have rainfall showerheads, plus bathrobes, slippers, scales, and Lorenzo Villoresi Firenze toiletries are provided.

High-end amenities here cater to both the business travelers and tourists that come through. Given the limited square footage in Manhattan, a good-size indoor pool is a big perk. Measuring 75 feet (23 meters) long and four-feet deep, the pool is plenty big for taking laps in the three lanes. The attractive pool deck has thick-cushioned loungers and chairs, as well as an adjacent steam room. The elegant spa offers a wide variety of treatments and nail services, plus a specific suite for couples. A modern 24-hour gym is equipped with ample Matrix cardio and weight-training machines, free weights, and yoga mats. There's just one restaurant on-site, CUT, by famed chef Wolfgang Puck. The fine-dining steakhouse occupies a dark, moody space with a cool red-lit bar, but we saw just a handful of business-looking travelers there during our stay. Room service is available 24/7 and kids' menus are available. Kids are also catered to with child-sized robes, babysitting services (for a fee), and a kid-friendly welcome amenity. Meeting and event spaces are available for corporate guests. Standard-speed Wi-Fi is free throughout, or guests can purchase a higher speed. Daily valet parking is available.