Stepping into the Hudson Hotel is like stepping into a world of dichotomies. Chartreuse-lit escalators make their way from the ultra-hip lobby toward a Francesco Clemente ceiling fresco, melding the past, present, and future along the way. Forty-foot-high walls wrapped in ivy and the hotel’s private indoor/outdoor park introduce nature into an urban setting. Every element that designer Philippe Starck has employed – from the lights that seem to bring the night sky inside to the yacht-like room door that transports the sea to dry land – create a dreamlike setting that is not bound to a specific time or place. The aesthetic of the Hudson changes from location to location, but somehow everything works together. The Hudson Cafeteria harks back to a classic dining hall with elongated wooden communal tables bringing people together to enjoy the latest take on comfort food. The Hudson Bar reigns as one of the hottest New York night spots. Glass floors illuminated from below, the hand-painted ceiling and creative lighting choices create an incredibly chic atmosphere where you can meet a diverse group of people while you sip on specialty drinks. The Library at the Hudson Hotel is the perfect spot to enjoy a cognac or a glass of Bordeaux while reclining on a classic English leather sofa. You can also play billiards or delve into a tome on theatre, dance or politics. The private park is what truly sets the Hudson apart from any other hotel in the city. The 45-foot trees, ivy walls, flickering lights, and the combination of antique and modern furniture lead to a setting worthy of A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Drifting through the park gives you a chance to enjoy lively conversation with other guests or to sit quietly while escaping the fast pace of the city. The Hudson offers vacation packages, theatre packages, and fitness packages that can guarantee you entrance into the hotel’s bars and restaurants, provide you with tickets to a show, or grant you daily passes to the Equinox Gym. For about $300 per night, you can experience the highlights of the city while delighting in everything the Hudson has to offer.