Quite the opposite, really. The problem is that sometimes you just need to find your very own personal zen.
For as long as I've lived in New York City, I haven't experienced peace and quiet. That's not to say I don't like living here.
Quite the opposite, really. The problem is that sometimes you just need to find your very own personal zen.
That can be hard to do when you work here, must fall asleep listening to every sound your neighbors make, and ride the loudest underground train on Earth to get to and from work.
I'm sure that visitors find the city even more jarring than I still do, even as a seasoned New Yorker. Whether you're coming here for fun or business, it's one of America's biggest tourist attractions, in part thanks to the Statue of Liberty, the Freedom Tower, and of course, Central Park.
To me, Central Park is comprised of Sheepshead Meadow and that's about it. You can thank summer Fridays and bottles of rosé for that. To visitors, it's a confusingly vast expanse of greenery in the middle of honking horns, fast walkers, and the setting of every/any movie ever made.
Whether you're a permanent resident or a traveling visitor, you deserve to take a breather. A lot of people can find that through activities that leave you – well, out of breath. My chosen stress-relief method is SoulCycle. For others, it's yoga. Some choose running. No matter what you love to do, you should be able to do it, even in the busiest city on Earth.
After a weekend fitness retreat at the Viceroy Hotel in Central Park, I've finally located my zen. And surprisingly enough, it's actually right in the middle of the park.
The Viceroy offers active, fitness-minded visitors an option that's equal parts NYC tour and equal parts wellness retreat.
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The hotel's Journey to Wellness package gives you a bit of zen thanks to a partnership with Fit Tours NYC and Nomi Beauty. For $509 and up, you can score a night in their superior king accommodations, a healthy breakfast at Kingside, a Fit Tour experience, handy workout essentials from Routinely, and the choice of an in-room massage or beauty service from Nomi.
I chose to take on a night at the Viceroy with a bit of skepticism: How the hell would I be able to not only enjoy a night in a hotel amid all the hustle and bustle and then find relaxation on a yoga walking tour of the tourist-ridden park?
Turns out, I actually found my new happy place.
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The Viceroy's accommodations are not only five-star, but the combination of their internal and external services makes for a pretty serene experience. Thanks to a good massage and a nice room, you feel like you're in paradise – no honking horns in earshot.
Even better, the team at Fit Tours NYC knows how to move at a New Yorker's pace, but without sacrificing info or technique. I ultimately was grateful I'd woken up early and ventured into the Central Park to contort my body for basic yoga moves, which is something I never thought I'd say. I walked away knowing way more about the part of the city that feels like my backyard than I'd ever thought I would.
Turns out there is peace and quiet in New York City. You've just got to find it. The Viceroy is here to help.
Serenity In the City
Looking for a different kind of getaway in the Big Apple? From workout classes to zen outdoor spaces, these hotels have everything you need to achieve relaxation, no matter how that might look for you.
This New York City fitness vacation is ideal for active travelers
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