Staying at the Equinox Hotel
I’ve never quite understood individuals who linger in the gym after their workout to chat with trainers or enjoy a drink at the juice bar. My distaste for the crowded, windowless spaces that constitute most fitness clubs in New York City, including the more upscale options, generally leads me to leave before even completing a proper cool down.
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Despite my reservations, I was keen to explore Equinox’s inaugural hotel—a veritable temple of fitness, located in New York’s extravagant $25 billion Hudson Yards neighborhood. Since its recent opening, the hotel embodies the brand’s tagline, “It’s not fitness, it’s life.” Offering a 60,000-square-foot gym, an expansive spa replete with cryotherapy chambers, and an indoor saltwater lap pool, the experience is undeniably captivating. Additionally, there’s a sun deck featuring an outdoor pool with stunning views of the Vessel, a prominent public artwork that anchors the Hudson Yards area. One unique feature is the Vessel Run, a guided cardio class involving a walk and run up the structure’s 154 interlinked flights of stairs.
Curious whether the sleek, Rockwell Group-designed spaces and luxurious amenities could win me over, I decided to spend a night at the hotel this past summer. What ensued was the most rejuvenating staycation of my life—a sleep so profound that I am still reminiscing about it.
The actual gym—Equinox’s 100th location—is undoubtedly the hotel’s centerpiece. However, since it occupies the fourth and fifth floors, distanced from the bustling 25th-floor lobby, you don’t have to walk through it every time you return from a meal or an afternoon relaxing on the sun deck. I must admit, I didn’t engage in any strenuous workouts during my visit; the classes and equipment appeared quite similar to those found in other Equinox clubs. Instead, what truly impressed me was the serene atmosphere that permeates the space—a rare find in the frenetic environment of New York City.
This sense of sanctuary is largely attributed to the hotel’s stunning position within a futuristic skyscraper that looms over Hudson Yards. My room on the 39th floor offered unobstructed views of the Hudson River and downtown Manhattan. Furthermore, various thoughtful touches contributed to the ambiance of health and wellness. For instance, the minibar featured health-oriented products such as natural deodorants, magnesium sleep supplements, and a CBD pain-relief gel pen. Additionally, fitness enthusiasts can purchase premium workout gear from Rhone, alongside yoga blocks and foam rollers. Personalized wellness services, including vitamin-infused IV drips, can be arranged for delivery to your room post-workout.
Dining at Stephen Starr’s Electric Lemon restaurant, my friend and I relished a delectable spread that included chickpea pasta topped with blistered shishito peppers and sun-gold tomatoes, succulent duck dumplings garnished with turnips and lemon verbena-scented apples, and a heavenly dessert known as the Chocolate Moon Rock, featuring black sesame crunch, honeycomb, and goat’s milk ice cream. As we exited the restaurant, we passed the adjoining lounge—a striking space with blonde wood accents, mirrored chairs, a sleek black marble bar, and low-slung leather sofas. It was a vibrant scene, bustling with trendy twenty- and thirty-somethings enjoying cocktails amidst breathtaking views of the city. It left me wondering if this venue had truly only opened weeks prior and whether Hudson Yards was indeed the supposed antithesis of cool.
Upon returning to my room, I sank into the bed, which featured a unique spring-free mattress made of coconut fiber. I wrapped myself in one of the two duvets (perfect for temperature regulation) and pressed the “lights off” button beside my bed, prompting the blackout shades to lower while adjusting the temperature to a sleep-optimized 66 degrees. In that cold, dark sanctuary inside the Equinox Hotel, I experienced one of the most restorative sleeps of my life.
