It started out as a distant pulse. A steady metronome dragged me from my sleep. Beep, beep, beep. The sound was familiar but not harsh. It was not a jolt, but a gentle nudging, as if someone were tapping my shoulder to remind me that it is time. Beep, beep, beep. The noise became louder. The sound of the alarm grew louder. I woke up, still warm and swaddled with a goose down duvet. Waking up at 212 rooms Equinox Hotel New YorkIn the Hudson Yards, a popular development on Manhattan’s West Side. It feels like returning.
The last time I heard my alarm was 334days ago. With an early-rising 11-month-old, who, without fail, woke before our alarm buzzed each morning, sleep—let alone restful, continuous sleep—was a far-off dream. When I was invited to stay at the Equinox Penthouse SuiteGrandparents are needed to babysit.
Equinox Hotels
From the moment I entered the 38th-floor suite—or as the website calls it, “sleep chamber”—I could tell this wasn’t just a fancy hotel room—it was a space intentionally designed for optimal rest. Yes, it’s massive—1,500 square feet or 2,000 with the optional add-on of an adjoining second bedroom—and yes, its past guest list reads like a who’s who of Hollywood. But the David Rockwell decor—quiet and confident in its palate of black, gray, and warm beige—was not flashy. Inspired by Equinox Hotels CEO Christopher Nolan’s apartment in Toronto, it’s meant to evoke a peaceful NYC pied-à-terre. The wraparound, floor-to ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city. On a clear morning, you could even see the Statue of Liberty while lying on the bed. And the separate dining and living rooms were perfect for entertaining. But I wasn’t here to regale; I was here to rest—and sleep is serious business at the Equinox Hotel New York.
Jesse Dittmar/Equinox Hotels
The pin-drop-silent suite is kept at a cool 66 degrees—and that and the blackout shades and lighting are easily controlled via a “Dark, Quiet, Cool” button on a bedside iPad. Let’s start with the bed. The king-sized nest was custom-made for the brand and is filled with all-natural pillows and duvets. Even better, there are temperature-regulating double duvets, providing individualized comfort for couples sharing a bed with even the greediest blanket hogs (guilty). “Our Sleep System—which includes the rooms, beds, and everything on them—took two years to develop,” Nolan told Travel + Leisure.
Even when you are not under the blankets, sleep is still a priority. In the AM + PM rituals program, guests are guided through movement and meditation on a large TV in order to improve their circadian rhythms. Grown Alchemist has created custom products for morning and night in the apartment-sized bathroom with a center tub. Each product is made with a formula that uses herbs from nearby High Line. Nolan says that the RoomBar “turns the traditional mini-bar on its head” with products like herbal teas to induce sleep, eye masks of high performance, and superfoods. In-room dining offers snacks to help support natural production of melatonin. In the 27,000-square foot spa, where there are cryotherapy treatments and IV drips as well as an infrared heater, the Wave Table can provide three hours of sleep within 30 minutes. The $11,000/night Penthouse Suite cost seemed like an absolute bargain for my tired body. Nolan explained that “we believe sleep is the single most important aspect of health. That’s why we designed every touchpoint within the room with 24-hour circadian rhythms in mind.”
And the Equinox is on to something: “Sleep tourism” is a buzzy phrase in 2025, and it makes sense—according to the CDC, roughly 36 percent of Americans are getting inadequate sleep. As a result of this, guests increasingly prioritize their well-being while on vacation. They want to do more than relax; they want to sleep, and sleep well—and so hotels are waking up to the importance of providing a good snooze.
Jesse Dittmar/Equinox Hotels
After sleeping like babies, my husband and I, energized, made our way to the 60,000-square-foot fitness club—this is the Equinox, after all—for an invigorating hour with a trainer. Group classes and personal training are available to guests, as well as an indoor pool with saltwater, a heated pool outside that offers panoramic views of Manhattan and, our favorite, outdoor barrel saunas. Our bodies were reminded what it feels like to be at rest as we walked back to our hotel room, dressed in our robes. A gorgeous room service breakfast spread—among it, what my husband claimed were the “best blueberries he’s ever tasted,” fueled us before we packed our bags and began the journey home. It was amazing how a 45 minute subway ride felt like we were transported to another time and place. As I discovered in less than 24 hours, sleeping is not something you can do. You can also find out more about the following: You can find out more about us You can also go to.
