The Sleep Tourist's Bucket List #1 [New York City]
Mapping out my dream sleep tourist destinations in the Big Apple — plus, is receiving a fresh chocolate chip cookie at check-in such a bad thing?
Broadcasting Note: I had planned a hotel mattress review for this edition, but alas, life got in the way. I’ll return with a proper review next month.
In the meantime, I thought I would engage in a fun exercise: The Sleep Tourist’s Bucket List.
For those moments when I don’t have a review to share, I’ll plan for future adventures by mapping out the sleep-worthy properties that use non-standard hotel mattresses — and I’ll turn it into content by sharing it with all of you!
The inspiration for The Sleep Tourist’s Bucket List
Alexis Benveniste of Extra Credit shared her guide to the best staycation hotels in New York. As I skimmed through it, I noticed a property I had encountered before while searching for hotels in NYC that highlighted the mattresses they used.
Although I said I want to travel beyond New York City, the fact is I do go and stay there a lot. Plus, it’s the largest city in the United States. If ever there was a location for me that I had to zero in on, I think I could have done a whole lot worse.
The Sleep Tourist’s New York City Bucket List
I’ve had the good fortune of staying at some excellent properties in New York City and even had the chance to try a $7,000 smart bed in the heart of Bryant Park. Alas, these are the five hotels where I want to book a stay as soon as possible.
1. Equinox Hotel, Hudson Yards
Where do I even start? Every guestroom at this 5-star luxury wellness hotel features an all-natural handcrafted mattress from COCO-MAT that’s made with natural latex, coconut fiber, horsehair, and seaweed.
Add to that Equinox’s Art + Science of Sleep, which is a two-night experience where you can reboot your circadian rhythm with cryotherapy, morning and evening rituals, and an immersive sound table that claims to cram three hours of sleep into 30 minutes. (Over the top? Yes. I’m still there for it.)
But wait — that’s not all. Equinox Hotels recently partnered with Dr. Matt “Why We Sleep” Walker to develop the Sleep Lab for the ultimate rest and relaxation in the City That Never Sleeps.
I’ve only been to the Equinox Hotel for its most recent Sleep Symposium and dinner at Electric Lemon. It’s a remarkable, Instagrammable property — and naturally, the sleep-focused offerings are a major draw for me. The day I manage to book a stay there, even in a standard guestroom, will be one of my proudest moments as The Sleep Tourist.
Average Nightly Rate per Kayak: $1,103
2. Hotel on Rivington, Lower East Side
Hotel on Rivington stands out for its Tempur-Pedic mattresses. This is an interesting choice because that slow-moving sensation of Tempur Material isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Then again, maybe the property is intentionally catering to guests who don’t like springy pillow-top mattresses and prefer that classic memory foam “hug.”
In addition, there’s a special offer called the Nightcap, which includes a 1 pm checkout plus goodies to help you unwind and sleep better, such as a silk eye mask, this mushroom chocolate, and two “Tip Top Proper Cocktails” before bed. (I do hope those cocktails can be subbed for mocktails.)
While I’m worried about overheating on a Tempur-Pedic mattress during the night, it doesn’t outweigh my intrigue. It also helps that Hotel on Rivington is situated in a neighborhood I’ve always been fond of, and the average nightly rate is the lowest on my wish list.
Average Nightly Rate per Kayak: $446
3. The Greenwich Hotel, TriBeCa
Savoir made its name as the exclusive mattress purveyor for London’s prestigious Savoy Hotel in 1905. More than a century later, the company now handcrafts beds for high-end hotels (such as The Greenwich Hotel) and people who aren’t shy about dropping five figures for a mattress.
Guests at this TriBeCa property rest their travel-weary bodies on the Savoir Nº4 Mattress, which is crafted with Calico-encased springs and other natural materials. The mattress can be customized with different tension levels on either side, but it’s unclear whether this option is available at the hotel. (It’d certainly appeal to couples.)
Granted, a stay at The Greenwich Hotel is not cheap, but it’s still a fraction of the price of a Savior mattress. It’d be worth it for me to be able to say, “I slept on a Savior at a Michelin Key hotel — and here’s what I thought of it.”
Bonus: The hotel’s Japanese-inspired Shibui Spa looks like a blissful place to unwind. I’ll take a shiatsu massage, please.
Average Nightly Rate per Kayak: $1,175
4. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO
Fine, I’ll leave Manhattan and head to another Borough for a moment. Brooklyn. DUMBO. How I miss ya!
The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge prides itself on providing “sustainable luxury.” It’s LEED certified (in other words, a “green” building) and sources local, seasonal ingredients for its restaurants.
That dedication to sustainability is evident in its guestrooms with custom-made, organic cotton Keetsa mattresses. (I noticed Keetsa manufactures memory foam and foam hybrid mattresses, so I’m curious if the bed designed for the 1 Hotel is a standard innerspring or uses other natural materials such as latex.)
Mission Members can add a special relaxation package that includes a $100 credit to the wellness spa and a daily smoothie credit. However, I want to reserve a Starlit Sleepover for myself. Ever think that single adults might want a pop-up tent, a galaxy star projector, and fresh-baked cookies and milk at night, too?
Average Nightly Rate per Kayak: $781
5. Park Hyatt New York, Midtown Manhattan
The Park Hyatt is the reason why I know sleep tourism exists. I’ve wanted to book a night at its famous Bedroom Sleep Suite from the moment I heard about it. (Crossing my fingers I achieve that this year!)
There’s a king-size Bryte Balance Smart Bed, which I would gladly sleep on again after trying it at the Park Terrace in Bryant Park. To help guests doze off, the suite has a diffuser with a signature blend of essential oils, a sleeping mask, remote-controlled blackout curtains, and a small library of books about sleep.
The bathroom is another highlight of this restful suite. It has a soaking tub, a walk-in rainfall shower, and an electric Toto toilet. Honestly, I don’t think I’d even go outside between check-in and check-out. I’d want to savor the experience as much as possible.
Average Nightly Rate per Kayak: $977
Are there any sleep-worthy properties I missed in New York City? Share them in the comments so I can expand my list!
Like this post? Here’s another story you may want to check out:
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Before I sign off, let’s talk about cookies
This piece of LinkedIn rage bait caught my attention — enough that I actually left a comment. But I’ll expand upon my thoughts here.
The author of the post criticized Doubletree Hotels for offering guests a warm chocolate chip cookie upon arrival and not providing “real nourishment.”
On the one hand, I get it. How we fuel our bodies is important, especially when our schedule is flipped upside down and we’re dealing with the stress of traveling.
But sometimes… it’s fine to just take the damn cookie and enjoy it.
And it’s free. You can refuse it for whatever reason. Maybe offer it to someone else in your travel party, or just say, “No, thanks.”
I’ve stayed at Doubletree Hotels and appreciated the gesture. (I’ve also not eaten the entire cookie in one sitting …most times).
The point is: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a small treat now and then, especially when you’re on the road. Just make sure you’re properly nourishing yourself otherwise.
The LinkedIn post ends with the author proclaiming, “No one’s handing out health at check-in.” Well, most properties aren’t. You’ll just have to find the ones that prioritize health and wellness — and be prepared to pay dearly for the privilege.
Don’t forget — ask me anything!
I’ve already received some excellent questions for my upcoming AMA. (Thank you!)
Want to know if I like hybrids better than memory foam mattresses, or do you wonder what I do with all the mattresses I test? Send me your questions via Substack or LinkedIn. I’ll answer them here at the end of this month.
Subscribers can head to the MTM chat to drop their Qs, too:
