Dream Midtown Escape: Hyatt's U.S. Oasis Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glitter-drenched, often-overlooked world of Dream Midtown Escape: Hyatt's U.S. Oasis Awaits! – and I'm gonna give you the real, unfiltered scoop. This isn't some corporate brochure regurgitation, this is… well, it's me, babbling about a hotel, and you're gonna love it. Or maybe you won't. That's the beauty of this whole chaotic experience, right?
First Impressions - The Glamour, the Glitches, and the Elevator of Doom
Okay, let's get the obvious out of the way. The name? Dream Midtown Escape. Sounds promising, right? Like you're gonna be whisked away to a secret paradise. And hey, from a purely visual standpoint, it delivers on that promise. The lobby? Chic. The vibe? Definitely trying to be cool. Think moody lighting, sleek furniture… you almost expect Bond to stroll in, shaken-not-stirred cocktail in hand.
But let's get real. First thing I noticed? The elevator. Or, rather, the elevator's slow, juddering descent. I think it gave me more time to contemplate the meaning of life than any meditation retreat ever has. Seriously, is it a feature? A deliberate attempt to slow you down and soak up the atmosphere? I'm leaning towards "needs some serious maintenance." But I digress…
Accessibility - A Mixed Bag, Mostly Good
Alright, gotta get serious for a sec because this matters. Accessibility. They claim to be "Facilities for disabled guests". Look, I haven't waltzed in on crutches myself, but I did snoop around. Elevators? Yep. Ramps? Seemed to be there. They don't exactly plaster themselves with "accessible" signage, which is a bit weird. The lack of detailed accessibility information online is a genuine pain. Could be improved; the website is terrible in this regard!
The Good Stuff: Sanitization, Safety, and That Feeling of "Almost Normal"
Okay, let's talk about COVID. It's still a thing, and Dream Midtown actually seems to care. The Anti-viral cleaning products are a plus. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Staff trained in safety protocol? From what I could tell, yes. They even had Hand sanitizer everywhere, which is always a good sign. The Rooms sanitized between stays are something I appreciated, and the Room sanitization opt-out available is a nice touch, too. Less guilt, more flexibility. They seem to be trying their best with the physical distancing of at least 1 meter, but hey, this is New York. People are close. But they're trying, and that counts. There are even Cashless payment service options and contactless check-in/out, which I always appreciate.
The Room Itself: A Modern Sanctuary…with a Few Quirks
Now, the rooms themselves. I stayed in a "Classic" room, which was… well, it was nice. I've seen worse. The blackout curtains are a godsend, especially if you're trying to recover from a night out. Comfortable Bed, Pillows, Linens, and it was so quiet! Soundproofing seemed effective, which is a miracle in honking, buzzing, beeping Midtown. I liked having basic things like Air Conditioning, Alarm clock, Coffee/tea maker, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Mini bar, Refrigerator, and the Shower, Toiletries, Towels, all made it nice.
The bathroom was, as they often are in hotels, a tight squeeze, but it was clean and had that all-important hot water. And the shower? Great pressure!
The "Stuff to Do" and "Ways to Relax" - More Than Meets the Eye?
Okay, this is where things get interesting. "Dream Midtown Escape" promises an escape, right? Well, let's see.
Spa/Sauna: Apparently, there's a spa. I didn't get to experience it. (Damn! That's a shame.)
Fitness Center: Decent. Standard cardio machines and free weights. Could be a little more spacious so you don't feel like you're breathing on the guy next to you doing bicep curls.
Swimming pool: I was gutted because the Indoor pool with a view was closed during my stay. That looks like a game-changer. Definitely ask if the pool is open before you book if that's a must-have.
Massage: They offer this, but I'm sure it's an arm and a leg, so I'm not sure if it's worth it.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Food Glorious Food (and Some Surprises)
The dining situation is a bit of a mixed bag.
- Restaurants: Multiple! Restaurants are the draw, with a focus on International cuisine, Asian Cuisine (a plus!), and a Vegetarian restaurant.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [Buffet] and Breakfast service are available. I did the buffet one morning. It was decent. The Coffee/tea in restaurant were good.
- Room Service: Available 24/7. Late-night pizza is a temptation I often succumb to.
- Poolside bar: A nice touch, and if the pool is open, a definite win.
- Coffee Shop: Always a necessity for these caffeine-fueled nights.
Services and Conveniences - They Offer a Lot!
Dream Midtown Escape offers a ton of services. Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Elevator, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service, and Luggage storage. They even have a convenience store. Basically, if you need it, there's a pretty good chance they can find it.
The Little Things: The Good, the Bad, and the "Why?"
- The "For the kids" section: Babysitting service and potentially a kids' meal at the restaurant. Family-friendly? Sure, I mean it's a hotel.
- The "Meetings" bit: Yep, they can facilitate meetings. (Not super relevant to my escape, but worth noting.)
- Smoking area: Available. (If that's your thing. I'm not judging.)
- The Exterior corridor - I don't think so.
- The "Proposal spot": Aww! Cute.
- **The *Hotel chain***: Hyatt.
- The "Pet allowed unavailable": Nope! No pets allowed. (Sorry, Fido.)
- The "CCTV in common areas": A little Big Brother-ish.
- The "Check-in/out [express]" - Easy and Fast.
- The "Soundproof rooms" - YES! A lifesaver considering the noise.
- The "Fire extinguisher" - A good thing to have.
- The "First aid kit" - Always important
- The "Daily breakfast" - The buffet gets old.
- The "Car park [free of charge]" - No!
- The "Car park [on-site]" - YES!
- The "Car power charging station" - Very convenient
- The "Taxi service" - You are in NYC!
- The "Valet parking" - Very convenient
My Verdict: The Honest Truth
Dream Midtown Escape: Hyatt's U.S. Oasis Awaits? Look, it's not perfect. It's a hotel in the heart of crazy, chaotic, amazing New York City. The elevator is slow, the pool wasn't open when I went, and the signage could be more informative. But the rooms are comfortable, the staff is generally friendly, and they are REALLY trying to make you feel safe and taken care of in these bizarre times.
Here's what you need to know to decide if you should book:
- Pros: Good location, clean rooms, lots of services, trying hard with safety, and a potentially awesome pool (if it's open).
- Cons: That elevator! Could be more accessible, and the price can be a little high.
My Recommendation?
If you're looking for a stylish, relatively safe, and well-located base for exploring Midtown Manhattan, give Dream Midtown Escape a shot. Just, you know, maybe bring a book for the elevator ride.
NOW, the Offer!
(Cue dramatic music)
Tired of the Hustle? Escape to Dream Midtown – Your NYC Oasis!
Book your stay at Dream Midtown Escape NOW and receive:
- A complimentary upgrade (subject to availability)
- A bottle of bubbly waiting in your room upon arrival (because you deserve it!)
- Free late check-out (because naps are essential!)
- Exclusive access to
Alright, buckle up, buttercup! This isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is my attempt to conquer Dream Midtown in the heart of NYC, a mission I'm already starting to regret, mostly because… well, let's just say my packing skills are on par with a squirrel trying to build a house. But hey, we're going for lived experience, right? So, here we go…
Dream Midtown: My Semi-Organized Chaos (aka, The Plan That’s Probably Already Gone Sideways)
Day 1: Arrival & An Immediate Crisis (aka Where Did My Socks Go?)
- Morning (Probably around 10 AM, if I'm lucky enough to pull myself together):
- The Journey Begins (Or, the Saga of Baggage Claim): Land at JFK. Pray to the travel gods (whoever they are – definitely need to look them up later) that my suitcase hasn't decided to vacation in, like, Norway. My track record is atrocious. Actually, scratch that, the last time I flew, my bag ended up in… checks notes… Memphis. I just stood there, dumbfounded, wondering if I could become a blues musician. Maybe not.
- First Impressions (and a mini-freakout): Arriving at Dream Midtown… ah, a glittering beacon of… something. The lobby is all sleek lines and "art" that I’m pretty sure I could have made with a crayon and a spilled coffee. Okay, deep breaths. Check-in. Actually, here's a thought: I booked it online, hopefully don't need to interact with a human being. Fingers crossed.
- Room Reveal (and the Search for Oxygen): Up to the designated floor. The elevator doors open, and I'm immediately a little breathless from the sheer… stuff. Okay, the view is great. Really, it’s spectacular. But then, the unpacking. Where are my socks?! This is a recurring theme. Seriously, where DO socks go? They vanish into the ether. The first crisis always strikes quickly.
- The Journey Begins (Or, the Saga of Baggage Claim): Land at JFK. Pray to the travel gods (whoever they are – definitely need to look them up later) that my suitcase hasn't decided to vacation in, like, Norway. My track record is atrocious. Actually, scratch that, the last time I flew, my bag ended up in… checks notes… Memphis. I just stood there, dumbfounded, wondering if I could become a blues musician. Maybe not.
- Afternoon (or, the Hungry, Hangry Hours):
- Lunch Adventure (or, Navigating the Food Desert): Right, food. Must find food. I’m starving. The hotel restaurant, that’s called "The Rickey," seems a bit… fancy. Okay, time to embrace my inner tourist and head out into the concrete jungle. The streets are a symphony of honking, shouting, and the constant aroma of… something delicious. Probably pizza. My internal compass always points towards pizza.
- Pizza Triumph: Found it! A hole-in-the-wall joint that would have looked right at home in a movie about the mafia. I devoured a slice. It was glorious. New York pizza is the best. I'm so overthinking it, I'm not sure I can ever go back to normal pizza.
- Times Square… Is It Real? (or, Sensory Overload): Ugh. Times Square. Okay. Brace yourself. It’s… an experience. The flashing lights are making my eyes feel like they're trying to escape my skull. I’m pretty sure I saw a giant hot dog mascot battling a superhero. And, wow, everything smells like hot dogs. But it's New York, and, you know, gotta do it.
- Emoting (and Wishing I'd Packed Earplugs): The sheer noise. Ah, the joy. I swear I caught a glimpse of a street performer dressed as the Statue of Liberty trying to hawk selfies. I love this city. I think. I’m also pretty sure I'm losing my mind. And the people! The people. They're everywhere, a swirling kaleidoscope of fashion choices and hurried footsteps. I love it. I hate it. The emotional rollercoaster begins.
- Lunch Adventure (or, Navigating the Food Desert): Right, food. Must find food. I’m starving. The hotel restaurant, that’s called "The Rickey," seems a bit… fancy. Okay, time to embrace my inner tourist and head out into the concrete jungle. The streets are a symphony of honking, shouting, and the constant aroma of… something delicious. Probably pizza. My internal compass always points towards pizza.
- Evening (aka, The Questionable Dinner Decision):
- Dinner Disaster (or, When Yelp Fails You): I did some research, you know, I was going to be all organized. I was going to be one of those tourists. I picked a restaurant, "Tao Downtown," that looked… sophisticated. I'm not sophisticated. Big mistake. Big. Huge. The ambiance was all low lighting and thumping music. My ears are still ringing. The food? Overpriced and underwhelming. I’m pretty sure I could have made a better meal with a microwave and a bag of chips.
- The Escape (and the Sweet Taste of Bed): Back to the hotel. Must. Sleep. The bed is calling my name, like a siren song. I collapse on the mattress, thanking whatever deity for the invention of pillows.
Day 2: Culture, Coffee, and the Pursuit of Happiness (and Maybe Socks)
- Morning (aka, The Coffee Crisis):
- Coffee Quest: I need caffeine. Desperately. The hotel coffee is… well, it’s there. Time to explore. Found a local coffee shop. Ordered a latte. It felt like I won the lottery.
- Afternoon (aka, The Museum-Going Gambit):
- The MoMA, or, Art Appreciation (and Staring): MoMA it is. I don’t know anything about art, but I pretend. I spent a good hour just staring at a Jackson Pollock, trying to feel something. Did I feel something? Maybe. Did I understand it? Nope. But it was… an experience. The building is gorgeous. The people are fashionable. Everything is better with a latte.
- The Hotel's Perspective (aka, The View from My Room): Head back to the hotel. The hotel is great. The view from my room is amazing. I can see the city from up here. This is the life. I actually felt so lucky, thinking on this.
- Evening (aka, The Broadway Binge):
- Broadway, Baby!: I've got tickets to a show. A musical. I’m not usually a musical person, but… New York. Gotta embrace it. So, musical it is. I’m excited. I’m nervous. I'm probably going to cry. The show isn't going to let me down!
Day 3: Brunch, Boutiques, and the Departure (and the Perpetual Sock Hunt)
- Morning (aka, The Brunch Blowout):
- Brunch Bonanza: This is the New York I want to know: the brunch scene. Found a place with avocado toast (of course) and bottomless mimosas. Pure bliss. This is what dreams are made of. I'm already plotting my return.
- Afternoon (aka, The Shopping Spree (or the Avoiding of Shopping Spree)):
- Shopping Shenanigans: I tell myself I'm just "browsing." Then I see a shop with clothes. Then a shop with books. Next, the wallet is opened. The "browsing" swiftly turns into a shopping spree. Regrets? Maybe later.
- Evening (aka, The Sad Goodbye (and the Final Sock Check)):
- Farewell, New York: Time to leave. Back to the airport. My suitcase is probably heavier than when I arrived. I have a sudden panic. Did I pack my socks?! The great sock mystery continues. Who knows where they end up? Hopefully, they'll have a wonderful trip!
- Final Thoughts: New York. The city that never sleeps. It’s chaotic, beautiful, and… exhausting. But I loved it. I’ll be back. Maybe next time, I'll remember to pack underwear. And… maybe a spare pair of socks.
- Rating:
- Dream Midtown: Pretty good. Could use more chocolate. 7/10
- New York: 10/10.