A Wren Says

During my stay at the Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards, I opted to try out the Science of Sleep package. Truth be told, it was one of the reasons why I was so eager to try this hotel. I had visions of myself, entering the hotel haggard from all the work and nights staying up way to late, and then at the end of my stay leaving the property renewed. So renewed, you could see almost an energetic glow around me. That did not happen, maybe my expectations were way too high, but let’s dive into the package.

If you let the website tell it, this is what the package includes during a two night stay:

• 2 Cryotherapy sessions
• 2 sessions on the Spa Wave Table
• A food and beverage item to promote sleep
• AM + PM in-room Rituals designed to support circadian rhythm*
• Access to hot and cold plunges*

(I put stars to indicate those items that are actually available to all hotel guests. Therefore, I don’t think you should include those.)

Night one, I came back to my room in the evening to find the lights dimmed and a plate of truffles and chocolate covered cherries waiting for me. I slept quite well that night. That was not the case the next night.

I went to the spa early in the morning to ask about booking my sessions. I learned that the Spa Wave table was actually out of order for the duration of my stay. (I wished someone would have told me that ahead of time, since it is a key part of the package. I asked if the value could be credited to a different service. They suggested the infrared sauna. I was booked for that evening, to go to the sauna, straight to the cryo chamber, before ending with a facial, I had booked prior.

That night I slept horribly. I was wide awake. Was it the book I was reading? Was it the coffee I had in the afternoon? Or maybe I should have been counseled on not having those sessions in the evening? I spent those extended waking hours, not sleeping peacefully, but pleading with the internet to tell me the best time of day for cryotherapy. And on top of that, I had to call to have my cherries and truffles delivered, because they weren’t left in the room during turn down.

Night three, I stayed up packing and eating a room service burger, but I slept soundly when I did finally take some rest.

Here are my final thoughts/suggestions when it comes to the Science of Sleep package

1. Reserve this stay for when you fully intend to be lazy and don’t have a full slate of activities. You want to be flexible to enjoy the spa treatments when they’re available. And I don’t want you to feel like me, stressed out about trying to fit in spa treatments.
2. Schedule your treatments when you book your stay. You can probably add a note that it is under the package.
3. I’m not sure, but maybe do cryotherapy in the morning or perhaps substitute in a massage if one of the treatments is not available.
4. Do the math and see if the increased rate is available to you. You will not walk away magically refreshed, but you are getting access to treatments. Work out how many of those treatments you can or want to fit in and if that justifies the price difference from a standard booking. For me it did not.
5. Finally, speak up for yourself to make sure you are getting what you paid for.

I honestly wish that I hadn’t booked the package. I didn’t reap the benefits personally and could have used some time to get to what it was like to stay at the hotel in a standard booking. If it is feasible, I would like to stay at the Equinox Hotel again and get to know what it is that they truly have to offer.