Stay in a Manhattan Hotspot: Four Seasons New York Downtown

The Four Seasons New York Downtown sits at the crossroads of the Financial District and Tribeca — the area of Manhattan where it’s all happening at the moment. There has been so much development in the neighborhood since the Freedom Tower and 9/11 Museum have opened.

The property is gorgeous, and the small lobby gives it a boutique feel, which we really liked. However, the staff is what sets it apart. From the doormen to housekeeping to the front desk staff, we experienced exceptional service on every level. 

Accommodations

Opened in 2016, the Four Seasons New York Downtown was built from scratch, which is unusual for hotels in Manhattan. One of the biggest benefits to guests is how unbelievably quiet the accommodations are, given the bustling location. The glass windows appeared to be triple-paned to block noise (yet they still open, which is nice for letting in some fresh air). It’s obvious that no expense was spared with the construction.

There are 24 floors but only 189 rooms and suites, as the upper floor are residences. We stayed in a Hudson Suite — perfect for a family of four. It was very large, especially for New York standards, and my teen daughters said the sleeper sofa was the best they have ever slept on. Technology abounds in the rooms, including motorized window blinds and surround-sound. The huge master bathroom will give you bathroom envy, and there’s also a half-bath in the living room for the kids. The only small negative is the half-bath’s tiny sink.

Amenities

We were celebrating our younger daughter’s 13th birthday during our stay, which I had mentioned to the concierge when I was inquiring about restaurant recommendations. A surprise collection of fabulous NYC-inspired treats, along with a huge bouquet of balloons, greeted us when we checked into our room.

The indoor pool is breathtaking, like no other in New York. Families are welcome to use the pool anytime. The beautiful spa and fitness center are an oasis in the bustling city, and the complimentary samples of green juice and yummy carrot-mango juice were also a nice touch.

Dining

Cut, the onsite restaurant by Wolfgang Puck, serves wonderful continental cuisine. Although kids are welcome, it’s more of an adult place to be seen, but there are plenty of more family-oriented dining options nearby. Eataly, a huge Italian marketplace with a variety of restaurants, a gelato stand, a bakery, a market and a cooking school, is right around the corner. It’s co-owned by celebrity chefs Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich — a must see!

Our favorite morning stop was the Wooly Daily coffee shop in the historic Woolworth Building just down the street. There was a line out the door on weekdays with both locals and tourists ordering freshly baked goods and awesome coffee.

Nearby Activities

The hotel is the perfect base for exploring Lower Manhattan. It is walking distance to plenty of shopping, Wall Street, Chinatown, SoHo, the 9/11 Memorial, Freedom Tower, the Brooklyn Bridge and so much more.  It’s also an easy walk from here to catch the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty.

The nearby Esplanade along the Hudson River Park is the perfect place for kids to let off some steam after sightseeing. There are many playgrounds with cool climbing structures, basketball courts, mini golf and more. After some time at the park, walk to the new Brookfield Place shopping center at the marina to enjoy dinner alfresco at the newest location of the iconic PJ Clarke’s pub.

The beautiful, light-filled Oculus, designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, is the new downtown shopping destination and also a transportation hub. There’s even a Target supermarket 5 minutes’ walk from the hotel. 

Accolades

Impeccable service (as always at Four Seasons properties) in an ultra-convenient location with large and beautiful rooms … What’s not to love?  Guests will easily see why the hotel won Best Hotel Newcomer at Virtuoso Travel Week 2017.

Relevant Links:

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Editor’s Note: Ciao Bambino received a media package in order to  facilitate our review. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Sandy Pappas except where noted.