What are the Upper Stories at the Thompson Central Park New York?

Upper Stories are the hotel’s premium floors, located on levels 26 through 33. They offer larger rooms and suites, higher-end in-room amenities, access to a private lounge, and a quieter, more exclusive atmosphere compared to standard floors.

Can I book Upper Stories at Thompson Central Park New York with World of Hyatt points or elite status?

No. Even top-tier Globalists cannot use points or elite status to access these rooms. You’ll need to pay for a reservation in Upper Stories, or hope for a complimentary upgrade, if available.

How much extra does it cost to book an Upper Stories accomodation at Thompson Central Park New York?

Rates vary depending on room type and dates, but Upper Stories typically cost $175 to $700 more per night than standard rooms.

What perks come with Upper Stories rooms at Thompson Central Park New York?

Perks include private lounge access with continental breakfast and light snacks, higher floors with better views, and upgraded in-room amenities like Dyson hair dryers, Nespresso Vertuo machines, and Victrola radios.

Do Upper Stories rooms at Thompson Central Park New York have direct views of Central Park?

Some do, but not every Upper Stories room faces the park. If a park view matters, you can request it when booking to increase your chances.

Inside Thompson Central Park New York’s Exclusive Upper Stories: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Updated: September 10, 2025, 8:00am CDT

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Table of Contents

Upper Stories: The Hotel’s Premium Floors
Inside the Upper Stories Experience
Is the Upgrade to Upper Stories Worth It?
Final Thoughts

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Tucked just steps from Central Park and buzzing Midtown Manhattan, the Thompson Central Park New York is a popular World of Hyatt option in the city — especially after its reimagining from the former Parker New York.

Beyond the standard guest rooms and suites lies a relatively new premium tier that even World of Hyatt Globalists, like myself, can’t access using points or elite status: Upper Stories.

After years of curiosity about what sets the exclusive Upper Stories apart from the rest of the hotel, I gave it a try to see if the premium experience lives up to the hype.

Of course, the question is whether the upgrade is worth the extra cost and what the experience is like. Keep reading to find out.

Upper Stories: The Hotel’s Premium Floors

Comprising just 174 rooms and suites on floors 26 to 33 — the hotel’s highest levels — the Upper Stories offer a more exclusive experience, with upgraded design, enhanced amenities, and access to a private lounge, almost like a boutique hotel within the hotel.

Upper Stories King Suite — Upper Stories rooms offer some of the most spacious accommodations in the building.

Unfortunately, these rooms aren’t eligible for complimentary upgrades, even for a top-tier World of Hyatt Globalist like myself. If you want to stay in the Upper Stories, you’ll need to pay for the upgrade.

So when I was planning an early August trip to New York City for my twin daughters’ birthday — an occasion that definitely warranted something extra — I booked our stay at the Thompson Central Park New York for 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night. I sent the hotel an email asking about the cost to upgrade to an Upper Stories room.

Thompson central park rooms with points — Our standard reservation turned into a chance to inquire about an Upper Stories upgrade via email. Image Credit: Hyatt

The team replied within a few days and was friendly but noncommittal. They said to follow up closer to the check-in date when they’d have a clearer idea of availability.

Just 2 weeks before arrival, I emailed again. Surprisingly, I was told my reservation had already been upgraded to Upper Stories. While rates for this room type can typically start at a special price of $175 per night for Globalist members (but can cost $200 and up for non-Globalists) and sometimes spike up to $700 per night during peak times, I somehow landed one without an added charge.

Even before arriving at the property, I was excited to finally experience Upper Stories after years of hearing about it through the grapevine and knowing so few people who had stayed in one of the hotel’s exclusive upper-floor rooms.

Hot Tip:

When booking Upper Stories, email the hotel a few weeks before arrival to ask about upgrades or specific room requests. You can also ask at check-in. I was pleasantly surprised to get an automatic upgrade to a King Studio Suite, which added significant space for my family. Sometimes, a quick prearrival note (or a friendly ask at the desk) can pay off big.

Inside the Upper Stories Experience

When you enter the Thompson Central Park New York lobby and mention to the front desk that you’re booked into an Upper Stories accommodation, you notice the immediate differences that set it apart from the standard accommodations. Below, I’ve broken down the key features and amenities that make this experience unique.

Private Check-in

While most guests check in at the main lobby, my reservation indicated something a bit different. After confirming my booking, the front desk associate invited me to the third floor for a private check-in.

Stepping up to the Upper Stories reception desk, the difference was immediately clear, as I was the only guest there.

Upper Stories Reception Area and Desk — Upper Stories guests get a private check-in desk on the third floor, separate from the main lobby.

It was just my family and Vanessa, the friendly Upper Stories associate, waiting to assist me. There were no lines, no rushing … just a calm, personal check-in that felt more like being welcomed into a private Manhattan club than a hotel.

Vanessa walked me through the essentials, answered a few of my questions, and even chatted with my daughters and wished them a happy birthday, setting a personal touch and inviting tone for the stay. It was one of those small gestures that immediately made me feel like this Upper Stories experience would be worthwhile.

Lounge Access

One of the main perks of booking Upper Stories is access to its private lounge, which quickly became a favorite part of our stay.

Upper Stories lounge space — Lounge access is one of the standout perks of upgrading to an Upper Stories room.

In the mornings, there was a simple but satisfying continental breakfast of pastries, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, coffee, and tea.

Upper Stories lounge coffee machine — The coffee machine made lattes and cappuccinos and was stocked with oat milk, almond milk, and various creams and sugars.

Later in the day, the lounge offered light snacks, such as croissants, cookies, and fresh fruit.

Upper Stories lounge light bites and snacks — The snack options weren’t abundant, but we appreciated them while traveling with kids.

Some mornings, breakfast included an egg soufflé and pancakes rolled up with jam.

Upper Stories lounge hot items — Each day, a rotation of different hot items was available for breakfast.

Other mornings, there was hot oatmeal and a yogurt parfait with granola and fresh jam.

Upper Stories lounge yogurt parfait — This yogurt parfait with granola and fresh jam was scrumptious.

The spread also featured fresh fruit and a selection of cold cuts, offering a simple but satisfying variety to start the day.

Upper Stories lounge cold cuts and fruit — Fresh fruit and a selection of cold cuts were also available.

What stood out to me was the exclusivity. Even as a World of Hyatt Globalist, I don’t get lounge access unless I’m booked into an Upper Stories room. There’s no day pass option. The lounge stayed quiet, calm, and far less crowded than many hotel lounges I’ve visited.

As a World of Hyatt Globalist, I could have a complimentary breakfast downstairs at Parker’s, the hotel’s main lobby restaurant. That perk includes 1 entrée and 1 beverage per guest in a Globalist room. One morning, my family of 5 enjoyed a full breakfast downstairs.

Parker's New York Thompson — Guests can also dine downstairs at Parker’s, the hotel’s main restaurant.

But on the day we needed to get moving quickly for a photo shoot in Central Park, we opted for the faster lounge breakfast. It was simple but perfectly sufficient to start our day with a bite.

Bottom Line:

For guests without Globalist status, the Upper Stories upgrade adds tangible value with access to the private lounge, which includes a continental breakfast for you and the registered guests in your room. For families or anyone who likes to start the day with some fuel, that perk alone can offset a good portion of the upgrade cost.

Exclusive In-Room Amenities

Some in-room amenities in Upper Stories rooms aren’t available in the hotel’s standard rooms. When you book one of these premium accommodations, you get a few upgrades that can make a real difference during your stay.

The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer was a game-changer for my family. My wife and 3 daughters used it daily, and I even used it to dry a few pairs of socks, which worked surprisingly well.

Upper Stories Dyson blowdryer — I may be bald and didn’t need it, but my wife and daughters raved about the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. Apparently, it’s impressive.

The Nespresso Vertuo machine was my personal favorite; I live for that first cup of coffee in the morning, so having quality espresso steps away from my bed made starting the day effortless.

Upper Stories king studio suite nespresso machine — Standard rooms don’t have Nespresso machines, so I loved getting my morning espresso in-room before going downstairs for breakfast.

There was also a Victrola radio on the nightstand. I didn’t end up using it much as I mainly stream music from my phone, but it was a nice, stylish touch for anyone who enjoys a little old-school charm.

Upper Stories radio — A Victrola radio on the nightstand gave the room a classic, retro touch.

These small upgrades combined to make our time in the room feel noticeably more comfortable and a touch more luxurious than a standard stay.

Central Park Views

Our suite faced another building, so we didn’t have a direct view of Central Park. That said, I could still catch glimpses of the park in the distance from the elevator lobby on our floor.

Since Upper Stories rooms are tucked away on floors 26 through 33, opting for a park-facing room could reward you with iconic, sweeping Central Park views that so many travelers visit New York to experience.

Even without the full panorama, being up this high gave us a sense of Manhattan’s skyline that we couldn’t get from lower floors, making the stay feel a little more elevated, literally and figuratively.

Large Suite Layouts With Sofa Beds — Ideal for Families

We were upgraded to a Studio King Suite, a room type only available on the Upper Stories floors.

Upper Stories desk and living room suite — Spacious Studio King Suite in the Upper Stories, featuring a living area and work desk.

At 460 square feet, it was noticeably larger than any of the hotel’s standard rooms, which typically range from 200 to 300 square feet.

Upper Stories King Studio Suite size — For New York City standards, our 460 square-foot suite felt massive and well-appointed for my family.

The suite also had a separate living area with a sofa bed, where my twin daughters slept, which made a huge difference for our family of 2 adults and 3 children.

Upper Stories room sofabed — No complaints from my twins, who spent 3 nights sleeping on this sofa bed. Preteen approved!

In a city where hotel rooms are notoriously compact, those extra 100 to 150 square feet felt like a luxury, giving us room to spread out and actually enjoy our stay rather than constantly bumping into each other.

Upper Stories King Studio Suite bedroom — Thanks to the suite’s generous space, the open layout between the bedroom and living area still felt comfortable.

Even the bathrooms in our Upper Stories suite felt surprisingly spacious for New York City, with plenty of room to move around and a layout that made getting ready as a family much easier.

Upper Stories king studio suite bathroom — The bathroom felt roomy by NYC standards — larger than you’d expect in most city hotels.

This Upper Stories suite is a clear step above the standard offerings for anyone traveling with family or craving more breathing room in Manhattan.

Upper Stories living room king studio suite — The extra space in an Upper Stories suite makes the upgrade worthwhile for families or groups of friends.

Quieter Higher Floors With Lower Occupancy

Even though Thompson Central Park New York overall felt refined and family-friendly, the Upper Stories floors were noticeably quieter. Fewer rooms per floor meant less hallway noise and a more relaxed atmosphere — a nice perk for light sleepers like myself.

Upper Stories lounge quiet hallway — Since Upper Stories rooms are on floors 26 to 33 and require a paid upgrade, there are fewer guests per floor.

With reduced foot traffic, the hallways were quieter, and the overall atmosphere was more relaxed. This perk was noticeable right away and made the upgrade feel worth it.

Is the Upgrade to Upper Stories Worth It?

Ok, by now you might be wondering: is Upper Stories worth it? It depends.

If you’re a World of Hyatt Globalist with access to free breakfast at Parker’s, the hotel’s main restaurant, the lounge access alone might not move the needle much. On the other hand, if you don’t have top-tier status, having the included continental breakfast — especially for a family — can make a noticeable dent in the upgrade cost.

Upper Stories lounge decor — Whether the Upper Stories upgrade is worth it depends on your travel style, family size, and what perks matter most to you.

Then there are the other perks: higher floors with quieter hallways, potential Central Park views, and upgraded in-room touches like the Nespresso machine and Dyson hair dryer. Together, these add up to a more relaxed, elevated stay.

But the limited number of benefits means it’s not an automatic “yes” for everyone. It’s best for those who value extra space, privacy, and small luxuries.

Hot Tip:

If you decide to upgrade to an Upper Stories room, pay with The World of Hyatt Credit Card to earn up to 9x points for Hyatt stays (4x bonus points on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels and up to 5x base points as a World of Hyatt member). You could also use a credit card that earns bonus points on travel purchases, such as hotel stays.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed my stay at Thompson Central Park New York, and our Upper Stories suite was spacious, comfortable, and quiet — a true oasis amid Midtown Manhattan. That said, as a World of Hyatt Globalist, I already enjoy many perks, so I probably wouldn’t pay for the Upper Stories upgrade under normal circumstances.

However, for travelers without elite benefits, the upgrade offers a lot of value: access to the private lounge, an included continental breakfast for you and your registered guests, higher floors with less foot traffic, and enhanced in-room amenities. Upper Stories can be worth the investment for families or anyone looking for a more peaceful, elevated experience in the heart of the city.

Ultimately, it’s not just about the room itself but the overall experience. Upper Stories is valuable if you’re after a quiet stay, extra space, and a touch of exclusivity without relying on points or status. For those planning a special trip to New York, it might just be the upgrade that turns a great stay into a memorable one.