Why a suite works better than a hotel room over the holidays
If you're bringing the family to New York for the holidays, the thing that changes everything is having your own kitchen. A regular hotel room means every meal is out, which gets expensive and exhausting fast with kids in tow. At 17 John, every suite has a full kitchen, so you can do a proper breakfast before you head out, keep the fridge stocked with the stuff your kids actually eat, and even cook a holiday dinner in if you'd rather not fight for a restaurant table on the 25th.
The other thing that helps: separate bedrooms. Our multi-bedroom suites give you real doors between the kids and the adults, so you can put everyone to bed at a reasonable hour and still have your own evening. The Signature 3-Bedroom and the Deluxe 2-Bedroom both come with a private terrace, and they're right next to each other on the 3rd floor, which is handy if you're traveling with grandparents or another family and want to be close without being on top of each other.
Traveling with little ones
We keep pack-n-plays on hand, free of charge. Just let us know before you arrive and we'll have it set up in the suite so you're not hauling one across the country. With the kitchen you've got a full-size fridge for bottles and leftovers, and counter space to actually prep. It's the difference between managing a hotel room and just living in your own place for a week.
Holidays often mean a longer stay, and the suites are built for that. There's room to spread out, a laundry room on-site so you're not packing two weeks of clothes, and a guest lounge and gym on the lower level when you need a break from the suite.
The Financial District over the holidays
Here's something people don't expect: downtown gets quiet over the holidays. The Financial District empties out of office workers on weekends and through the last two weeks of December, so you get a calmer version of Manhattan than you'd find around Midtown and the big department stores. For a family that means fewer crowds, easier walking, and a neighborhood that feels more like a place people live than a tourist crush.
You're also close to the water. Battery Park is a short walk south, where the kids can watch the boats and you can look out at the harbor. South Street Seaport is a few blocks east along the East River. And when you want the bigger holiday stuff uptown, you're right on top of the subway, so a trip to see the tree or the windows is a straight ride up and back.
Getting around with a stroller
Downtown is flat and walkable, which is exactly what you want with a stroller and tired legs. Most of what you'll want day to day is within a few blocks, and the wider streets near the water are easy to navigate. When you need to go further, the subway lines that meet in the Financial District will get you most places in the city without a transfer.
What to know before you book
Holiday dates book up, so it's worth reaching out early if you're looking at a specific stretch in late December. We sell the room, not the head, so adding an extra adult or a couple of kids to a suite doesn't change the price as long as everyone fits the layout. If you're not sure which suite fits your group, tell us how many adults and kids and we'll point you to the right one.