The Thompson Central Park: A Perfect Family-Friendly Hotel in NYC

When it comes to finding a family-friendly hotel in the heart of New York City, it can be a challenge. Rooms tend to be tiny and the prices are high. I once paid $700 for a room the size of the bed. That’s why we were thrilled with our stay at the Thompson Central Park. This hotel became our NYC base camp, offering everything we needed for a memorable family getaway.

The Thompson Central Park

For those driving into the city, valet parking is available for $95 a night, which was convenient for our SUV. While the valet was a little on the pricier side, it was nice to have that peace of mind knowing the car was safe in a covered garage while we enjoyed the city.

Checking into the Thompson Central Park was a breeze. I was able to check in through the app and received a notification that our room was ready early on our way in.

When we arrived, we headed straight to our room without even having to stop at the front desk. I was able to open the door with my phone. I appreciated this so much because we were racing to get to a reservation.

Rooms at the Thompson Central Park

Our king suite was perfect for our family. It was impeccably clean and surprisingly spacious for city accommodations. The bathroom featured a generous walk-in shower, complemented by lofty ceilings that enhanced its sense of space. Additionally, two ample closets provided ample storage for all our belongings.

The kids slept on the fold-out sofa, which housekeeping had thoughtfully set up and made into a cozy bed. There was even a counter area where the kids could eat and draw while they watched television.

The television was in the middle of the room and it swiveled so you could watch it if you were on the couch and then turn it around when you moved into bed.

Location of the Thompson Central Park

The location of the Thompson Central Park couldn’t have been better. It was only a 10-minute walk to Times Square and a five minute walk to Central Park, making it easy for us to experience the best of the city by foot.

Whether we were heading to a Broadway show or simply exploring a playground in Central Park, we couldn’t have asked for a more convenient base.

For breakfast, we usually head to Carnegie Diner, just a short walk from the hotel. The kids had the famous lollipop pancakes, which were a huge hit! The diner’s classic NYC vibe made it a perfect spot to fuel up before a day of sightseeing.

One of the coolest surprises at the Thompson Central Park was the hidden burger joint downstairs. Behind a red velvet curtain, we discovered a graffiti-covered space where we enjoyed some seriously delicious burgers and shakes. The kids thought signing the wall was the best thing ever.

The hotel also has a stunning lobby bar, which made for the perfect spot to relax with a cosmo (Carrie Bradshaw would be proud!) and some appetizers after a busy day of sightseeing.

Booking with Points

As a Hyatt property, the Thompson Central Park was an especially great find because I was able to book our stay using points. For just 23,000 points per night, I was able to secure our room. Then I paid an additional $75 in cash to upgrade to a suite, which was totally worth it for the added space and comfort.

Note that there is no longer a pool at this hotel. I saw pictures of the pool online and packed all of our swim gear only to find that it had been taken over by the penthouse!

Will We Be Back?

Absolutely! The Thompson Central Park has earned its place as our go-to spot in New York City. The location is prime, the accommodations are top-notch for families, and the hidden surprises kept the kids entertained. We’ll 100% be back to this NYC base camp on our next adventure!

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