DREAM DOWNTOWN
CRITIQUE MY STAY RATING: 8.5/10
AVG. NIGHTLY RATE: $200
If you're looking for a trendy hotel in an amazing location with a vibe, then you'll feel like a winner at the Dream Downtown, a Hyatt property in New York City. Nestled between the uber-cool Meatpacking District and fashionable Chelsea neighborhoods, the hotel offers quirky, yet luxurious rooms and a great pool. And that shiny steel exterior with those cool porthole windows? It's like a time machine to the groovy '60s when the building was HQ for the National Maritime Union.
LOCATION
10/10
Nestled away from the bustling pace of Midtown, the Dream Downtown is located on a tranquil (for NYC) block in lower Manhattan. This strategic position places the hotel between two diverse and incredible neighborhoods: Chelsea and the Meatpacking District. These neighborhoods boast a rich array of attractions, including the High Line, the Whitney Museum, Chelsea Piers, and the picturesque Hudson River Park. Plus, for hassle-free exploration of the rest of the city, the A, C, E, and L subway lines are conveniently located just one block away. Additionally, self-parking facilities are available at an independent parking garage situated across the street from the property though a car is definitely not necessary in this great area of the city.
AMENITIES
8/10
GYM - 7/10
Dream Downtown offers a 24-hour gym located on-site. While the facility provides essential workout equipment, including cardio machines, strength-training equipment, and free weights, we found the equipment to be on the older side which just didn’t fit with the rest of the hotel. If you're seeking a wider array of exercise options or newer equipment, there is a New York Sports Club nearby.
SPA
There is no spa at the Dream Downtown.
POOL - 9/10
The hotel boasts a 50-foot-long heated pool, right next to a massive deck that they call "The Beach." Complete with imported sand and comfy lounge chairs, it's definitely a getaway from the hustle and bustle of NYC. And the pool is pretty special too – its bottom is partly see-through, so you can actually peer down into the hotel lobby while you're swimming! Note that the pool area is sometimes used to host parties.
OTHER
Dream Downtown offers concierge service, great wifi, a hair salon, two restaurants, a rooftop lounge, and an underground club. The hotel welcomes dogs weighing up to 25 pounds for a fee and has event spaces available to book.
ROOM
9/10
Dream Downtown's rooms and suites are stylish and feature modern, forward-looking design with its overall aesthetic revolving around a color palette of whites and grays with a some metallic accents. We booked the hotel’s standard room but were lucky enough to have gotten upgraded into a 1 King Bed Platinum Suite because of our Hyatt Globalist status. The room was quite big, especially by New York standards (about 550 sq. ft.) and had a bedroom as well as a separate living area. The living area had a white leather sofa and chair, a long desk, contemporary artwork, and access to a Juliet balcony, providing views of the pool area. The bedroom was on the simpler side but the bed was comfortable and there was a wall mounted TV and a nice leather chair. The bathroom continued the metallic theme with stainless-steel sink countertops, a bathtub, white penny-tile walls and floors, and metal chain-link shower curtains which were a fun touch.
BREAKFAST
7/10
Breakfast at the Dream Downtown is a bit different than breakfast at your standard hotel. It is served in Natura Cafe, which is more like a small coffee bar than a restaurant. There isn’t really hot food served (aside from coffee and tea) but there are overnight, oats, yogurt parfaits, fruit salads, and some other offerings that you can essentially “grab and go” from the refrigerated section in addition to pastries. For what it is, it isn’t bad, but some may miss having eggs, pancakes, or french toast for their morning meal.
RESTAURANTS NEARBY
If you’re looking for good food in walking distance, here are some Eat My Critique approved options:
Via Carota (17 minute walk) - Italian food at a popular spot in the West Village.
LittleMad (30 minute walk) - Korean food done incredibly well in a modern, stylish setting.
All’Antico Vinaio (35 minute walk) - Maybe the best modern Italian deli in New York. An incredible lunch option if you’re willing to wait in line!
If you are looking for good food that’s worth the subway ride or drive, here are some options:
Joomak Banjum (11 minute drive) - Another modern, trendy Korean restaurant for you. Desserts here are exceptional.
Cafe China (15 minute drive) - Chinese restaurant featuring authentic dishes and an amazing tea smoked duck!
Katz’s Delicatessen (17 minute drive) - One of the oldest and most storied NY delis. Don’t leave without ordering the famous pastrami sandwich.
To check out all of the Eat My Critique reviews from New York, click here.
THINGS TO DO
New York City is like nowhere else on Earth. It's a vibrant melting pot that people from all over the world call home, creating a tapestry of languages, foods, and traditions that you can explore in its various neighborhoods. Dream Downtown lies between the city's Chelsea and Meatpacking District neighborhoods, which offer a wide variety of attractions including:
Chelsea Market (2 minute walk) - a vibrant and iconic food hall. It's a unique and bustling destination that offers a diverse range of culinary delights, shopping opportunities, and a distinct urban atmosphere.
The High Line (5 minute walk) - an elevated park built on a historic freight rail line, which ceased operations in the 1980s. It has been transformed into a serene and picturesque urban oasis, approximately 1.5 miles long.
Whitney Museum of American Art (8 minute walk) - The Whitney Museum boasts an impressive collection of American art, focusing primarily on 20th and 21st-century works in a diverse range of art forms, including paintings, sculptures, photography, video art, and more.
Hudson River Park (10 minute walk) - a picturesque and expansive urban waterfront park located along the western edge of Manhattan.
Madison Square Garden (20 minute walk) - Madison Square Garden is one of the most iconic entertainment venues in the world. Home to the NY Knicks and Rangers, it also holds a large number of concerts and events that you may want to check out.
Broadway (15 minute drive) - The theatre district of New York is just a short drive or subway ride away. If you love musicals or want to experience one for the first time, there is no place like New York.
VERDICT
There is no shortage of hotel options to choose from when traveling to New York. While the hotel’s breakfast offerings and gym could certainly use improvement, the Dream Downtown presents a really nice value for the money when you consider the comfort of the rooms and the hotel’s incredible location. And now that the hotel is part of Hyatt, there are some additional perks and benefits offered to members of the World of Hyatt program.