What’s the deal?  

You’d be hard-pressed to find a New Yorker who hasn’t heard of Equinox Fitness Club , so all eyes were on the group after it announced its foray into the hotel industry. “Where luxury and fitness meet” is the club’s tagline, and this rings true throughout their very first property in Hudson Yards – just a stone’s throw away from the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Rockefeller Center and more iconic New York city landmarks.  

As the lift doors open to reveal the hotel reception, you’re struck not just by the sleek dark interiors, but by the hum of conversation floating up from the room below. Equinox Group is fostering a community – one that extends beyond its fitness clubs and into this hotel. A look over the balcony that separates me from the noise reveals Electric Lemon , a lively bar and restaurant area with sweeping city views and a large fireplace which keeps the room snug during the colder months. It’s the perfect place for friends and colleagues to gather after working in nearby offices – or working out at the gym downstairs.  

The rooms don’t disappoint either. After a long day of shopping, working or sightseeing, there’s no better feeling than sinking into the temperature-regulating, natural fibre mattress of your king size bed – but there’s plenty more that makes these rooms special. Grown Alchemist bath products inspired by the High Line herb gardens; a luxurious rain shower with jets; complimentary water infused with electrolytes to aid recovery, and an in-room bar that aims to pre-empt your every need with its vast array of products – eye masks, supplements, healthy nibbles and more.

Below the hotel, you’ll find an Equinox Fitness Club, naturally, and The Spa . Guests receive complimentary access to the gym and its classes, but what sets this fitness centre apart from others in the city is its two swimming pools: an indoor saltwater lap pool and an outdoor pool with wraparound views spanning The Vessel to the Hudson River. The Spa, meanwhile, boasts a menu of science-backed, technology-driven treatments alongside massages and facials, all of which have been developed by a team of internationally recognised medical authorities. 

Why stay?

For what may just be the best night’s sleep you’ll ever have. A bold statement, yes. But with rooms as well designed as these, it’s easy to believe. The temperature is set for optimal sleeping conditions (19°C), remotely operated blackout curtains block out any whisper of light, sound-proof walls keep the hum of New York City at bay, and the king size beds feature two separate duvets – a gamechanger for those with cover-thieving sleepmates.

A ”Sleep Well” dining menu, featuring slumber-inducing food and beverages such as a charcoal latte and dark tart cherry juice, and the AM + PM Ritual Program of breathwork and stretches complete the experience. The latter can be found in a guide thoughtfully placed on your bedside table, as well as on your television.

Cathay editors say…

“You’d be forgiven for spending your entire trip at the Fitness Club. Whether you’re into Reformer Pilates, weightlifting, HIIT workouts, sweating it out in an outdoor sauna hut or relaxing in a jacuzzi, this gym really does have it all – and more.”