Affinia Gardens Hotel

"Family Friendly on the Upper East Side"

If you are looking a family friendly hotel in Manhattan with enough space for the entire family to spread out, this is the hotel for you.  The Affinia Gardens is located in the posh Upper East Side just blocks from Central Park (as a matter of fact the hotel offers a Central Park Adventure package) and countless museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The atmosphere in the lobby is calm and inviting which is especially refreshing to step into after walking around in the heat and humidity. There was always flavored water or iced teas waiting for guests and a full complimentary tea bar which created the most wonderful scent.  The staff is friendly and attentive to everyone who walks in the door and is more than happy to make restaurant suggestions, point out the nearest coffee shop, get you a cab, and assist you with whatever else you need.

We stayed in a one bedroom suite which was bigger than most NYC apartments!  One bedroom suites can have one king or two queen beds and a sofa bed in the living room. The suite included a small kitchen with a fridge, microwave, and stove which is nice to have when traveling with kids.  It helps cut meal costs and provides a good place to store snacks and beverages.  4 different neighborhood restaurants will provide room service for those days when you don’t feel like dealing with children out in public but are too exhausted to cook. I always have at least one of those days when traveling with my toddlers.

The Affinia has one of the more quirky luxury menus I have encountered on my travels- a pillow menu!  You can choose from different pillow types such as feather and down, sound, hypoallergenic, magnetic therapy, memory foam, and buckwheat.  Very posh indeed!

There is wireless internet available but it costs $15.00 a day which I am not pleased with.  I think in this day in age all hotels should be included free wireless as one of their amenities.  There is also a $50 per day charge for valet parking and $40 for self parking with no in and out privileges which is pretty par for the course in NYC. Bottom line- leave your car at home.

For those traveling with infants and toddlers, cribs and high chairs are complimentary and stroller rental is available.  If your kids are as messy as mine you may also want to take advantage of either the self –service laundry room or valet laundry service.

Another great family friendly feature is the family fun chest which contains board games, family-friendly DVDs and DVD player, art/magnet easel, hopscotch floor mat, kid’s tea set, wooden blocks, picture books, and sidewalk chalk. There is also Wii rental for $25 a day which includes games, 2 controllers, and the Wii fit balance board.

Available for pre-order or deliver upon arrival at the hotel are the Comfort Kitchen Bites package which will help you stock your fridge and the Bitty Baby Bundle which will provide you with diapers and baby friendly toiletries so you can travel lite.

Bottom line- I loved this hotel. It was very family friendly without losing the sophistication that many desire from a hotel in NYC.  The location was great, only a couple blocks from the subway but in a very nice part of the city with gorgeous tree lined streets. If I were to come to NYC again, this hotel would be at the top of my list.

DISCLOSURE:  This review is based on a complimentary stay at the Affinia Gardens Hotel. I received no other compensation beyond the hotel stay and the hotel did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view.  I will always give my honest opinion of whatever I review.