Our Family-Friendly Review
Choosing the right hotel can make or break a holiday trip to New York City—especially when you have young kids in tow. After months of research, we settled on Bryant Park Hotel, and here’s why it worked so well for our family.
Why Location Matters More Than Luxury
During the holidays, NYC is packed. Walking distances, crowd navigation, and easy access to transportation matter more than fancy extras. Bryant Park Hotel is smack in the middle of it all: one block from 5th Avenue, one block from Times Square, and right across from the Winter Village with an ice rink. For a family juggling a stroller, toddler, and luggage, this was ideal.
Bryant Park Hotel: Family-Friendly Features
- Spacious rooms: Plenty of room for two kids, strollers, and luggage without feeling cramped.
- Accessibility: Rooms designed for hearing-impaired guests, wet-room showers, roll-under sinks, grab bars, and platform beds with room for toekicks made it easier for all abilities. Note: showers have at least a 3/4-1″ threshold.
- Convenience: The hotel offered third-party airport transportation WITH car seats! This saved us time and stress compared to navigating taxis, ride share, or the subway with car seats and all our luggages.
- Gym: The gym housed at least 2 treadmills, a Peleton bike, free weights and lift machines. Perfect for mom and dad to squeeze in a sanity workout.
Why Accessibility Matters (from an OT Perspective)
As an occupational therapist and a mom, accessibility isn’t just a “nice-to-have” or a luxury — it’s what helps everyone move smoother through the day. Bryant Park Hotel has 8 accessible rooms, and the thoughtful details made a huge difference for our family rhythms. The bathrooms, beds, and overall room layout supported independence, reduced stress, and gave us much-needed breathing room when getting ready for busy NYC days.
From grab bars exactly where you need them, to extra space around beds for mobility equipment, to a roll-under sink — it’s clear someone designed these rooms with real lives (and families!) in mind. Even those small nighttime and early-morning routines felt easier because the space worked with us, not against us.
Whether you’re traveling with a stroller, mobility device, or just kids who come with all the gear, the space here feels comfortable, not cramped.
OT-approved accessibility features available in select rooms:
- Grab bars around the toilet and shower
- Roll-in shower or accessible tub options (Note: shower has a small threshold)
- Handheld, adjustable shower heads
- Lowered closet bars for easy reach
- Space to maneuver a wheelchair or stroller
- Platform beds with clearance for safer transfers
💡 Pro Tip: Call the hotel when booking to request an accessible room and ask about the specific features available in that exact room type. They are kind, knowledgeable with access to resources, and happy to help ensure you get a space that truly meets your family’s needs. Accessibility looks a little different in each room — and having the right features makes your stay more effortless, joyful, and comfortable.
Family-Friendly Amenities
- Proximity to fun: The Winter Village, ice rink, and kid-friendly cafes are just outside the door.
- Nearby restaurants: Le Pain Quotidien, Heritage Grand Restaurant, and quick eats for emergencies.
- Walkability: Most holiday attractions were within a 15-minute walk, perfect for managing naps, strollers, and sightseeing.
Price and Booking Tips
Weekday stays are cheaper than weekends, and booking early (6+ months) secured us a 20% off special. If you’re traveling during peak holiday season, this can make a big difference. No specials for the time you’re booking, no sweat. As a gift from us to you, we are sharing a link at the end of this post to unlock 10% off the best available rate.
Who Should Consider Bryant Park Hotel
- Families with young kids who want a central, walkable location
- Couples looking to experience NYC holiday magic (there are two sophisitrestaurants right off the lobby with without stepping out of the hotel)
- Anyone needing accessibility-friendly rooms without compromising location or charm
Final Thoughts
Staying at Bryant Park Hotel set the stage for a smoother, more joyful NYC holiday experience. Its location, accessibility, and family-friendly layout gave us the flexibility to enjoy the magic—and survive the mayhem—of the holidays with young kids.
In our next post, we’ll share a flexible, real-life itinerary that highlights our favorite holiday experiences and shows how to plan for fun without overpacking your days.
Want to Stay Here Too?
If Bryant Park Hotel sounds like the perfect home base for your magical (mayhem) holiday trip — I’ve got a little gift for you. ✨
I’m sharing our exclusive Partner Rate that includes:
- 10% off the Best Available Rate
- No daily facility fee (saves $34.42/day!)
- Complimentary Peloton-equipped fitness center access
- Free Wi-Fi + local phone calls
- illy® coffee + fresh muffins in the lobby every morning (yes, please ☕🧁)
- Valid for single or double occupancy rooms
👉 Book our Bryant Park Hotel Partner Rate here
(Or save the link for future NYC trips — because yes, you’ll want to return!)
