Hotel Check: Dream Midtown

Property Highlights: Dream Midtown opened in 2004 as a New York City classic designed within a charming 1895 Beaux-Arts flatiron building in the heart of midtown Manhattan. It has an exclusive partnership with Saatchi Art featuring contemporary local New York artists in the public spaces throughout the hotel. Walking into the ground floor lobby one is surrounded by a variety of artwork on the walls, a vibrant two story fish tank in the center and music to set the mood. The vibe is chic and fun, upbeat and hip and draws an international crowd. Check in close to 3:00 pm and start the journey with a welcome Prosecco reception. Afterwards, move up to the multi-level rooftop lounge PHD Terrace. This is a lounge for all seasons that sparkles in the winter as the sun sets on Times Square.

Where Is It? Centrally located in the heart of Midtown the Dream is a few blocks from Central Park, Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, MOMA, and the luxury boutiques and retail flagships of Madison and Fifth Avenue. Also a few blocks from Broadway and Times Square. The hotel is a short walk from several subway lines; about a 35-minute drive from LaGuardia Airport; 40 minutes from JFK International Airport; and 30 minutes from Newark International Airport.

How Many Rooms? Dream Midtown has 220 expansive guest rooms, including 12 suites, all with street or skyline views of Manhattan.

What’s it Like? Expect to be greeted by friendly staff upon afternoon check-in, and partake of the waiting sparkling wine in the lobby before settling into accommodations. Talk to fashion industry designers and trend influencers as well as tourists visiting from abroad as the bubbly pours. The lobby glows with changing hues as afternoon turns to evening. Gaze at the contemporary artworks and connect with fish swimming in circles in the two story fish tank while deciding on dinner.

Room Facilities: The rooms are spacious. The focal point of each queen and king bed is a canopy-style headboard draped in luminescent floral patterned fabrics of subtle ruby, emerald and sapphire. Interiors are the work of award-winning New York design firm Studio GAIA. The room is a neutral color palette, with splashes of violet and natural wood furnishings. Bathrooms offer Carrera marble finishes, back-lit mirrors, stainless steel Kohler fixtures and Bigelow bath amenities. All guest rooms are outfitted with allergen-free feather beds and duvets, 300-thread count Egyptian cotton bedding, flat-screen plasma television screens and, of course, Wi-Fi.

Each room has a mini bar complete with top-shelf spirits, fine wines and beer, but these stations also include a “Mini Rickey” kit with all the fixings for the signature cocktails offered in The Rickey cocktail lounge.

Dream Midtown’s GuestHouse, the property’s Penthouse suite, is perfect for C-suite guests and small meetings. It offers three bedrooms and magnificent white marble bathrooms, a spacious living room, kitchenette, and stunning skyline views of Columbus Circle and Central Park. The accommodations are perfect for extended stays or anyone looking for a lavish New York getaway. Find striking contemporary furniture and sleek design elements such as luxurious, Moroccan-inspired couches, sleek light fixtures, a specialty in-room tub and signature artwork by contemporary artists.

Restaurants and Bars: Guests of Dream Midtown have several great dining and drinking options. Serafina evokes feelings of stage life and draws added inspiration from classic Fellini films (shown on the walls), accented by hand-painted vaulted ceilings, and a mosaic tile pizza oven. The menu of rustic Italian fare features freshest pastas, pizza, seafood and meats. Serafina is the go-to venue for all meals.

The Rickey is directly to the right of the lobby entrance and is a craft cocktail lounge with an unconventional mixed drinks menu created by acclaimed mixologist Johnny Swet. All wines there are offered by the glass and bottle and the list includes first-growth Bordeaux to California cult wines. A light food selection off cheeses and charcuteries is available, with on wine and one craft cocktail suggested pairing per dish.

The PHD Terrace is Midtown’s premier hotspot offering guests a wide variety of experiences from happy hour to weekly parties and exclusive events. The multi-level space on the 15th and 16th floor has both an indoor lounge and outdoor deck that is enclosed in the winter. Accessed by a dedicated elevator and hallway decorated with vines draped within metal slats and bark with gold leaf, the indoor/outdoor, multi-level space on the hotel’s 15th and 16th floors is laid out to enable nightlife devotees to flow seamlessly between outdoor deck and indoor lounge.

The Fish Bowl is a hidden gem created as an underground bar and play lounge that includes mini bowling, pool, and darts with a rotating selection of food and beverage options. It also is the lower level of the intriguing fish tank. The space is open to guests on the weekend and for special events throughout the year.

Leisure Facilities: Dream’s guests have privileges at nearby Crunch Fitness Gym.

Business and Meeting Facilities: The Fish Tank can be a great space to book smaller intimate gatherings. Small corporate meetings, stylish events can be managed at the PHD Terrace that has more than 4,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event space with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. Full-service bars, a fully equipped DJ booth, state-of-the-art lighting are among amenities offered at this venue. The Rickey can offer service for private parties, small gatherings and business meetings, with 1,100 square feet of space, plus two large flat-panel televisions and the latest audio-visual equipment for presentations.

Verdict: For its central location, chic ambience and inclusions, The Dream is a smart choice made even smarter with the dreamlike nightly rates it offers. As with many hotels these days, there is a separate facilities fee but at The Dream, it comes with practical and needed amenities:

• Continental breakfast at Serafina Restaurant (up to two guests per room, per day)

• Welcome Prosecco from 3-4 PM in the lobby

• Two-for-one signature cocktails at The Rickey (once per day)

• Preferred access to PHD Terrace (up to two guests per room)

• Digital on-property subscription to The New York Times

• High Speed Wireless Internet

• In-room local calls

• Unlimited printing, scanning and copying through the front desk

• Full access to Crunch Fitness on 250 West 54th Street

Price: Nightly rates start at $149, excluding taxes and fees.

Contact: Dream Midtown, 210 W 55th St at Broadway Ave., New York, NY, 10019; (212) 247-2000. Dream Midtown is a part of the Dream Hotel Groupthat includes The Chatwal, Dream Hotels, TIME Hotels and Unscripted Hotels.

All photos by Boston-based photojournalist, Ilene Perlman: IlenePerlman.com