AKA Central Park

About AKA Central Park

AKA Central Park suits travelers who want a Midtown base at the edge of Central Park and a straightforward, comfortable place to return to after a day of meetings or sightseeing. Couples on a first New York trip, families with older children, and business travelers attending conferences in Midtown all fit the address. The building sits on West 58th Street, close to Fifth Avenue, so museum mornings and theater evenings need little planning.

The booking supplier gives it a guest score of 4.3 out of 5 from 306 reviews, which points to steady satisfaction across a broad range of stays rather than a single crowd. Expect a city hotel with apartment-style touches, since the listed facilities include a kitchen and a fitness center. The score is the supplier's own figure, so read recent guest comments alongside it when you compare options in the app.

Rooms and listed facilities

Rooms at AKA Central Park come with the facilities the supplier lists: air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a safe, a kitchen and carpeted floors. Couples can treat the kitchen as a breakfast bench before an early start. Families should confirm sleeping arrangements and whether a crib is available, since a crib is listed. Business travelers get a business center, a fitness center and a 24 hour front desk. Late arrivals can rely on the listed 24-hour security and luggage storage. Confirm parking, pet rules and any extra charges with the property before booking.

The listed facilities suggest a stay that mixes hotel services with the routines of an apartment. A concierge, a restaurant and bars, laundry service and elevators cover the basics, while the fitness center and business center serve guests who work or train on the road. Couples may prefer a higher floor away from the street; families should ask about space for a crib. Ask AKA Central Park directly about room layouts, kitchen equipment and accessibility needs when you reserve.

The setting

AKA Central Park stands at 42 West 58th Street, just west of Fifth Avenue and a short walk from the southeast corner of Central Park. The address puts you in Midtown, with the park about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away in a straight line and Times Square about 0.7 miles (1.1 km). Grand Central Terminal is about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) away, Penn Station about 1.4 miles (2.2 km). For air travel, JFK is about 13 miles (21.6 km) in a straight line, LaGuardia about 5.4 miles (8.7 km) and Newark Liberty about 12 miles (18.7 km).

The street itself is a quieter Midtown block between two of the busiest avenues, so the noise of the Theater District stays at a distance while the museums along Fifth Avenue sit within walking range. The Museum of Modern Art is about 0.2 miles (0.4 km) away, Broadway and the Theater District about 0.6 miles (1 km), and the American Museum of Natural History about 1.2 miles (1.9 km). Evening plans, gallery afternoons and park runs all start on foot from the door of AKA Central Park.

Location and neighborhood

Midtown's streets are a history lesson you can walk from AKA Central Park. North of 14th Street the Commissioners' Plan of 1811 laid out numbered streets running east to west and avenues running north to south, with Fifth Avenue dividing east and west addresses. Broadway cuts diagonally across that grid, and the blocks around Times Square show the result: long views, odd corners and a theater district that grew where the avenue crossed the grid. Walking here is mostly level and easy to follow. Look at the street signs, note whether the address is east or west, and the neighborhood opens up in a straight line.

The cultural weight of the district sits within a short walk. The Museum of Modern Art is south of Central Park, the Theater District holds about 40 Broadway houses, and Rockefeller Center fills the blocks between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Bryant Park gives the grid a breathing space, with a lawn in the middle of the district. Fifth Avenue from Rockefeller Center up to Central Park South carries the flagship stores, while the Garment District north of 34th Street keeps the working side of the neighborhood in view. Architecture, theater and shopping sit close enough to cover on foot in a single day.

Getting there and around

Midtown sits at the center of the city's transport, which matters when you arrive with luggage. Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station and the Port Authority Bus Terminal are all inside the district, and the subway runs 24 hours a day. Tap a contactless card or phone at the turnstile; the MetroCard is being phased out. Check service changes with the MTA before a late trip. Penn Station is around 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from AKA Central Park, and the district center around 0.7 miles (1.1 km) away. From JFK or Newark Liberty the trip typically takes 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic and connections.

Nearby sights and food

The main sights reward a walking loop rather than a checklist. Start at Bryant Park, walk west through the Theater District to Times Square, then north on Broadway to the edge of Central Park. The Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Center are a short detour east. Grand Central Terminal is worth a look for its main concourse, and the observation decks at Rockefeller Center and further south give a view over the grid. Hudson Yards and the Vessel are west of the district; the Intrepid Museum sits at the Hudson River. Check opening days and tickets with each venue.

Eating in Midtown follows the rhythm of the blocks. Near the Theater District, tables fill early before curtains, with Italian, steakhouse, Japanese and Thai kitchens among the choices. The Garment District and the streets around Penn Station lean toward delis, slice shops, noodles and falafel for a quick lunch. Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center have cafes and food halls for a sit-down break, and Fifth Avenue adds bakeries and department-store dining rooms. Reservations help at popular places on show nights. Check opening hours directly; many kitchens close between lunch and dinner.

A day from AKA Central Park

A day from AKA Central Park can start with a walk east to Bryant Park for a coffee and a look at the lawn, then north along Fifth Avenue to the edge of Central Park. Turn west and cross to the Museum of Modern Art for a couple of hours. Lunch near Rockefeller Center, then walk the Theater District and Times Square in the afternoon light. Rest before an evening curtain; shows typically start at 7 or 8 pm, so check the time with the theater. End with a walk back through the lit blocks, which is a free show in the district.

Distances

Facilities listed by the supplier

As listed by the booking supplier; a facility not listed here may still exist. Confirm anything important with the property.

• 24 Hour Front Desk
• 24-hour security
• Air conditioning
• Balcony
• Bars
• Bath
• Bathrobe
• Bathroom
• Business Center
• Carpeted
• Cleaning
• Coffee
• Concierge
• Crib
• Desk
• Dry cleaning service
• Fitness Center
• Free Wi-Fi
• Garage
• Hairdryer
• Housekeeping
• Internet access
• Iron and board
• Kitchen
• Laundry Service
• Elevators
• Luggage storage
• Microwave
• Non smoking rooms
• Parking
• Pets allowed
• Refrigerator
• Restaurant
• Safe
• Security Features
• Shower
• Sink
• Smoke detector
• TV
• Telephone