An iconic NYC landmark, the Lotte New York Palace is utterly palatial, with gilded stairways, marble floors, and a courtyard that reflects its palazzo design. Travelers are drawn to its high glamor and its incredible location, right behind St. Patrick's Cathedral and a short walk to Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue shopping. Rooms are split between two sections: The Palace (773) and The Towers (176), a separate hotel-within-a-hotel with a residential feel. (Read about The Towers here.) All Palace rooms have soaring views plus luxe extras like bathrobes, slippers, and free shoeshines. Decor is traditional and old-fashioned, and so is the tech: There are no in-room USB ports, and Wi-Fi costs a steep fee. Bathrooms are also a disappointment, with shower/tub combos that feel pedestrian. Both rooms and public spaces suffer from some wear, too. But fans of the property overlook these shortcomings to focus on its supreme glitz.
An iconic NYC landmark, the Lotte New York Palace is utterly palatial, with gilded stairways, marble floors, and a courtyard that reflects its palazzo design. Travelers are drawn to its high glamor and its incredible location, right behind St. Patrick's Cathedral and a short walk to Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue shopping. Rooms are split between two sections: The Palace (773) and The Towers (176), a separate hotel-within-a-hotel with a residential feel. (Read about The Towers here.) All Palace rooms have soaring views plus luxe extras like bathrobes, slippers, and free shoeshines. Decor is traditional and old-fashioned, and so is the tech: There are no in-room USB ports, and Wi-Fi costs a steep fee. Bathrooms are also a disappointment, with shower/tub combos that feel pedestrian. Both rooms and public spaces suffer from some wear, too. But fans of the property overlook these shortcomings to focus on its supreme glitz.
Kimpton Ink48 Hotel is an upscale business and leisure hotel in Hell's Kitchen, one block away from the Hudson River. The 222 rooms were renovated in 2016 and are bright and sleek, with Mid-Century Modern-inspired decor and lots of colorful accents. Many have views out over the Hudson River. Amenities include a 24-hour gym with modern equipment, multiple meeting spaces, a rooftop bar with city views, and a restaurant that's open for all three meals. Pets are welcome here at no extra charge (and treats are provided). The hotel offers early-evening wine tastings and free coffee in the lobby -- fortunately, as there are no coffee- and tea-making facilities in rooms. Ans an alternative in the center of Manhattan, consider Warwick New York Hotel, which is walkable to Central Park and Midtown.
Kimpton Ink48 Hotel is an upscale business and leisure hotel in Hell's Kitchen, one block away from the Hudson River. The 222 rooms were renovated in 2016 and are bright and sleek, with Mid-Century Modern-inspired decor and lots of colorful accents. Many have views out over the Hudson River. Amenities include a 24-hour gym with modern equipment, multiple meeting spaces, a rooftop bar with city views, and a restaurant that's open for all three meals. Pets are welcome here at no extra charge (and treats are provided). The hotel offers early-evening wine tastings and free coffee in the lobby -- fortunately, as there are no coffee- and tea-making facilities in rooms. Ans an alternative in the center of Manhattan, consider Warwick New York Hotel, which is walkable to Central Park and Midtown.
W Hotels' 270-room Union Square property greatly resembles other Ws in New York: comfortable beds, modern rooms, an excellent gym, and plenty of business travelers in the chic lobby. The difference: this one's downtown, near the bar-filled East Village and media-mecca Flatiron.
W Hotels' 270-room Union Square property greatly resembles other Ws in New York: comfortable beds, modern rooms, an excellent gym, and plenty of business travelers in the chic lobby. The difference: this one's downtown, near the bar-filled East Village and media-mecca Flatiron.
The Hotel on Rivington is a secretive hot spot for well-heeled travelers who like their neighborhoods cool and their thread counts high. Sleek and stylish, the monied vibe doesn't exactly mesh with the Lower East Side's immigrant history, but the luxurious rooms and amazing views just might merit the attitude.
The Hotel on Rivington is a secretive hot spot for well-heeled travelers who like their neighborhoods cool and their thread counts high. Sleek and stylish, the monied vibe doesn't exactly mesh with the Lower East Side's immigrant history, but the luxurious rooms and amazing views just might merit the attitude.
Opened in 2018, the 310-room Embassy Suites by Hilton offers a glossy, modern home base to explore Midtown. It's walking distance to major transportation hubs and some top attractions, like the Empire State Building and the iconic New York Public Library. The property's highlight is its Skylawn, a fun, hip alfresco roof deck hovering above street level and furnished with loads of cushy seating. It's attached to a bar that serves up "Brooklyn style" along with burgers and beers. A lobby-level bar is the Skylawn's polished counterpoint for cocktails or wine. But it's the free breakfast buffet and evening reception that provides the most added value. Rooms are pulled together with a similar modern, streamlined look and all the expected amenities, including flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. For an option a touch closer to Times Square, travelers could consider the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.
Opened in 2018, the 310-room Embassy Suites by Hilton offers a glossy, modern home base to explore Midtown. It's walking distance to major transportation hubs and some top attractions, like the Empire State Building and the iconic New York Public Library. The property's highlight is its Skylawn, a fun, hip alfresco roof deck hovering above street level and furnished with loads of cushy seating. It's attached to a bar that serves up "Brooklyn style" along with burgers and beers. A lobby-level bar is the Skylawn's polished counterpoint for cocktails or wine. But it's the free breakfast buffet and evening reception that provides the most added value. Rooms are pulled together with a similar modern, streamlined look and all the expected amenities, including flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. For an option a touch closer to Times Square, travelers could consider the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.
World Center Hotel is a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel that overlooks the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in the Financial District. This view is played up in the American restaurant and bar (with it’s outdoor dining terrace) and from some of the guest rooms. While the style of the hotel’s public spaces are attractive, the 169 small rooms are somewhat bland. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and Keurig machines. Only upper-level rooms offer mini-fridges and microwaves or kitchenettes. A modest fitness center and free daily wine hour are notable extras. Rooms at the nearby Hampton Inn Manhattan/Downtown - Financial District are slightly more spacious, and come with the added benefit of free breakfast, making it a good alternative.
World Center Hotel is a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel that overlooks the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in the Financial District. This view is played up in the American restaurant and bar (with it’s outdoor dining terrace) and from some of the guest rooms. While the style of the hotel’s public spaces are attractive, the 169 small rooms are somewhat bland. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and Keurig machines. Only upper-level rooms offer mini-fridges and microwaves or kitchenettes. A modest fitness center and free daily wine hour are notable extras. Rooms at the nearby Hampton Inn Manhattan/Downtown - Financial District are slightly more spacious, and come with the added benefit of free breakfast, making it a good alternative.
The basic 84-room Seafarers and International House near Union Square contains guestrooms with twin beds and is known for two reasons: value and location. This downtown property is a non-profit with a 100-plus-year history (it's been in this location for 50) as a refuge for seafarers and asylum seekers. Today, guests are anyone looking for a good deal in lower Manhattan. Some rooms have private bathrooms and flat-screen TVs, but most have no bathrooms (they are shared with other rooms on the floor). The lobby is filled with natural light and offers coffee for just a coin and free Wi-Fi.
The basic 84-room Seafarers and International House near Union Square contains guestrooms with twin beds and is known for two reasons: value and location. This downtown property is a non-profit with a 100-plus-year history (it's been in this location for 50) as a refuge for seafarers and asylum seekers. Today, guests are anyone looking for a good deal in lower Manhattan. Some rooms have private bathrooms and flat-screen TVs, but most have no bathrooms (they are shared with other rooms on the floor). The lobby is filled with natural light and offers coffee for just a coin and free Wi-Fi.
Located in midtown Manhattan, the West 57th Street by Hilton Club is an upper-middle-range timeshare property two blocks away from Central Park and a minute's walk from the subway. The 166 rooms are sleek and inviting with bold contemporary art, big flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-fridges, but they don't have daily housekeeping. The hotel has a well-equipped fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and free continental breakfast. While there’s no full on-site restaurant or bar, guests can order room service from a few nearby restaurants. Another nearby option could be the four-pearl Le Parker Meridien, which has a pool and three on-site restaurants.
Located in midtown Manhattan, the West 57th Street by Hilton Club is an upper-middle-range timeshare property two blocks away from Central Park and a minute's walk from the subway. The 166 rooms are sleek and inviting with bold contemporary art, big flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-fridges, but they don't have daily housekeeping. The hotel has a well-equipped fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and free continental breakfast. While there’s no full on-site restaurant or bar, guests can order room service from a few nearby restaurants. Another nearby option could be the four-pearl Le Parker Meridien, which has a pool and three on-site restaurants.
A massive, 1,700-room hotel, the Penn is in a prime location next to Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building. Though there's a decent fitness center on site, the hotel ends up not being a good deal, despite the reasonable rates -- the hectic pace, street traffic (even inside the giant lobby), and worn, dated rooms add up to a poor value.
A massive, 1,700-room hotel, the Penn is in a prime location next to Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building. Though there's a decent fitness center on site, the hotel ends up not being a good deal, despite the reasonable rates -- the hectic pace, street traffic (even inside the giant lobby), and worn, dated rooms add up to a poor value.
When it comes to hourly-rate hotels, very few are as heavy-handed with sexual overtones as the Liberty Inn. The experience starts with guests selecting their room type, checking in with the man behind bulletproof glass, and walking past the vending machine stocked with condoms and sex toys. It continues with the lewd drink in-room drink menu, six channels of free porn, romantic mood lighting, and provided "exercise pillows" to help guests…uh…work out. The hotel isn't nearly as flat-out dirty as one might expect, but it's hard to spend time there and leave without feeling slightly violated.
When it comes to hourly-rate hotels, very few are as heavy-handed with sexual overtones as the Liberty Inn. The experience starts with guests selecting their room type, checking in with the man behind bulletproof glass, and walking past the vending machine stocked with condoms and sex toys. It continues with the lewd drink in-room drink menu, six channels of free porn, romantic mood lighting, and provided "exercise pillows" to help guests…uh…work out. The hotel isn't nearly as flat-out dirty as one might expect, but it's hard to spend time there and leave without feeling slightly violated.