The 81-room Hampton Inn Manhattan / Downtown - Financial District is a solid mid-range hotel that's no-frills in terms of amenities, but still feels fresh from its 2014 opening. The lobby merges with the breakfast room, where a free breakfast buffet is served each morning with hot and cold options, including a waffle station. There's also a business nook with two computers and a tiny gym, with only three pieces of cardio equipment and free weights, but that's about it. Guest rooms are tasteful and contemporary, with walk-in showers, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers, but mini-fridges aren't standard and views are nothing to write home about. Travelers looking for a stay with more features can consider the larger DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York City - Financial District.
The 81-room Hampton Inn Manhattan / Downtown - Financial District is a solid mid-range hotel that's no-frills in terms of amenities, but still feels fresh from its 2014 opening. The lobby merges with the breakfast room, where a free breakfast buffet is served each morning with hot and cold options, including a waffle station. There's also a business nook with two computers and a tiny gym, with only three pieces of cardio equipment and free weights, but that's about it. Guest rooms are tasteful and contemporary, with walk-in showers, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers, but mini-fridges aren't standard and views are nothing to write home about. Travelers looking for a stay with more features can consider the larger DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York City - Financial District.
Executive Hotel LeSoleil is a three-and-a-half-pearl charming boutique with a Midtown location that’s a good choice for those who want to explore New York City on foot. The hotel offers impressive amenities for its small size like a gym, coffee bar, restaurant, and meeting rooms. The 162 rooms are well-outfitted with flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and minibars, though they are small -- which isn’t a surprise for New York City hotels. Some rooms have incredible views of the city's skyline. Travelers might want to check out Morgans, a nearby hotel with free breakfast and slightly larger rooms with closets.
Executive Hotel LeSoleil is a three-and-a-half-pearl charming boutique with a Midtown location that’s a good choice for those who want to explore New York City on foot. The hotel offers impressive amenities for its small size like a gym, coffee bar, restaurant, and meeting rooms. The 162 rooms are well-outfitted with flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and minibars, though they are small -- which isn’t a surprise for New York City hotels. Some rooms have incredible views of the city's skyline. Travelers might want to check out Morgans, a nearby hotel with free breakfast and slightly larger rooms with closets.
Couples on a budget looking for a decent place to crash in NYC should consider this hotel (more like a hostel) on the southern edge of Chelsea, within walking of the Meatpacking District and the West Village. This five-floor walk-up has two room types with queen beds: the Economy Rooms with shared bathrooms, or the Standard Rooms with private baths, futons, and small dining areas. All rooms have kitchenettes with microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, and free access to a simple breakfast served in the mornings next to a compact computer area. But the property's highlight (besides the location) is the private backyard, a Manhattan rarity. A staff member is on hand 24 hours, but reception is as basic as it gets, partly due to the fact that the building still shares tenancy with full-time residents.
Couples on a budget looking for a decent place to crash in NYC should consider this hotel (more like a hostel) on the southern edge of Chelsea, within walking of the Meatpacking District and the West Village. This five-floor walk-up has two room types with queen beds: the Economy Rooms with shared bathrooms, or the Standard Rooms with private baths, futons, and small dining areas. All rooms have kitchenettes with microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, and free access to a simple breakfast served in the mornings next to a compact computer area. But the property's highlight (besides the location) is the private backyard, a Manhattan rarity. A staff member is on hand 24 hours, but reception is as basic as it gets, partly due to the fact that the building still shares tenancy with full-time residents.
Named after owner Henry Kallan's favorite animal (and because of its tall, slender design), the 75-room Hotel Giraffe is an Art Moderne that will appeal to fans of NoMad architecture, the trendy neighborhood restaurants, and fans of "Sex and the City: The Movie" (in which the hotel was prominently featured). Rooms have understated contemporary decor, and the hotel offers homey extras such as a daily wine and cheese hour and free continental breakfast. There's no gym, but free passes are offered for one nearby. First-time visitors to New York who are determined to hit the sightseeing checklist will probably want to stay somewhere more uptown, however.
Named after owner Henry Kallan's favorite animal (and because of its tall, slender design), the 75-room Hotel Giraffe is an Art Moderne that will appeal to fans of NoMad architecture, the trendy neighborhood restaurants, and fans of "Sex and the City: The Movie" (in which the hotel was prominently featured). Rooms have understated contemporary decor, and the hotel offers homey extras such as a daily wine and cheese hour and free continental breakfast. There's no gym, but free passes are offered for one nearby. First-time visitors to New York who are determined to hit the sightseeing checklist will probably want to stay somewhere more uptown, however.
With a stunning rooftop bar and pool, great freebies (including Wi-Fi and nightly wine and cheese), David Burke restaurant, and a hotel art curator, this 114-room Soho boutique embodies the hip, creative neighborhood it inhabits. Its bright, minimalist rooms are smaller than those at some of the James' luxury competitors, but they're full of enough thoughtful details to make up for it. Travelers could also consider the nearby boutique Greenwich Hotel, which has a Japanese-inspired spa and pool (the James can arrange in-room massages).
With a stunning rooftop bar and pool, great freebies (including Wi-Fi and nightly wine and cheese), David Burke restaurant, and a hotel art curator, this 114-room Soho boutique embodies the hip, creative neighborhood it inhabits. Its bright, minimalist rooms are smaller than those at some of the James' luxury competitors, but they're full of enough thoughtful details to make up for it. Travelers could also consider the nearby boutique Greenwich Hotel, which has a Japanese-inspired spa and pool (the James can arrange in-room massages).
The Morningside Inn is a two-pearl, budget property on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, within walking distance of Columbia University. Its 72 rooms are simple and no-frills with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges; some have full kitchens. But bathrooms (whether shared or private) are often the cause of complaint, with maintenance and cleanliness issues frequently cited. The hotel provides a free continental breakfast in a basement room, and there is free Wi-Fi, but aside from that, there's little in the way of on-site property features, common space, or atmosphere. Budget travelers that don't mind being in Brooklyn may prefer the Hotel Lynx, which has better maintained and more inviting rooms.
The Morningside Inn is a two-pearl, budget property on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, within walking distance of Columbia University. Its 72 rooms are simple and no-frills with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges; some have full kitchens. But bathrooms (whether shared or private) are often the cause of complaint, with maintenance and cleanliness issues frequently cited. The hotel provides a free continental breakfast in a basement room, and there is free Wi-Fi, but aside from that, there's little in the way of on-site property features, common space, or atmosphere. Budget travelers that don't mind being in Brooklyn may prefer the Hotel Lynx, which has better maintained and more inviting rooms.
As with any Times Square hotel, guests pay a premium for location -- but at the Renaissance they also get to stay in an up-to-date hotel with a fun and extravagantly designed lobby and lounge area, attentive service, and comfortable beds. If you want proximity to the bustle of Times Square, this is a very solid choice.
As with any Times Square hotel, guests pay a premium for location -- but at the Renaissance they also get to stay in an up-to-date hotel with a fun and extravagantly designed lobby and lounge area, attentive service, and comfortable beds. If you want proximity to the bustle of Times Square, this is a very solid choice.
The 487-room Hyatt Centric Times Square is an upscale hotel with an excellent central location for tourists and business travelers. The guest rooms are modern, with special touches such as geometric print chairs and framed art prints; they also include flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and sleek bathrooms. The hotel's crowning feature is the rooftop bar, which has great views of the city, but expensive cocktails. Other on-site amenities include an American restaurant, spa and salon, 24-hour fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. Valet parking is pricey and elevators can be slow, but overall, this is a great pick. The W New York Times Square has similar amenities and is sometimes less expensive.
The 487-room Hyatt Centric Times Square is an upscale hotel with an excellent central location for tourists and business travelers. The guest rooms are modern, with special touches such as geometric print chairs and framed art prints; they also include flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and sleek bathrooms. The hotel's crowning feature is the rooftop bar, which has great views of the city, but expensive cocktails. Other on-site amenities include an American restaurant, spa and salon, 24-hour fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. Valet parking is pricey and elevators can be slow, but overall, this is a great pick. The W New York Times Square has similar amenities and is sometimes less expensive.
Those looking for a clean mid-range chain hotel right around the corner from the Empire State building can't do much better than this Hilton Garden Inn. Rates are affordable (for New York, at least) and the location is extremely convenient for seeing the sights -- the flagship Macy's store, Madison Square Garden, and multiple subway lines are also within easy walking distance. Just note that rooms ending in "02" are the smallest, so steer clear if you want a bit more space. Some of the city-view rooms have great views of the Empire State building, and all rooms have the microwaves and mini-fridges that are standard for the chain (and particularly helpful for saving money on food in pricey New York City).
Those looking for a clean mid-range chain hotel right around the corner from the Empire State building can't do much better than this Hilton Garden Inn. Rates are affordable (for New York, at least) and the location is extremely convenient for seeing the sights -- the flagship Macy's store, Madison Square Garden, and multiple subway lines are also within easy walking distance. Just note that rooms ending in "02" are the smallest, so steer clear if you want a bit more space. Some of the city-view rooms have great views of the Empire State building, and all rooms have the microwaves and mini-fridges that are standard for the chain (and particularly helpful for saving money on food in pricey New York City).
Designed by Phillippe Starck, the 189-room Mondrian Park Avenue is a sophisticated upscale hotel in a central location in NoMad, within easy walking distance of the Empire State Building, Grand Central, the Flatiron, and several subway stops. Rooms are small but sleek, with great amenities such as smart TVs, wonderfully stocked minibars, and well-reviewed pillow-top mattresses. Some have small balconies offering expansive city views. The vibe is lively and busy, especially in the evenings and on weekends, when the rooftop lounge draws guests and non-guests alike, and Cleo, the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant, fills up with after-work groups. There are no spa or fitness center on-site, though guests get free access to a swish Equinox gym nearby. Travelers seeking something a tad cheaper may want to compare rates at the HGU New York.
Designed by Phillippe Starck, the 189-room Mondrian Park Avenue is a sophisticated upscale hotel in a central location in NoMad, within easy walking distance of the Empire State Building, Grand Central, the Flatiron, and several subway stops. Rooms are small but sleek, with great amenities such as smart TVs, wonderfully stocked minibars, and well-reviewed pillow-top mattresses. Some have small balconies offering expansive city views. The vibe is lively and busy, especially in the evenings and on weekends, when the rooftop lounge draws guests and non-guests alike, and Cleo, the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant, fills up with after-work groups. There are no spa or fitness center on-site, though guests get free access to a swish Equinox gym nearby. Travelers seeking something a tad cheaper may want to compare rates at the HGU New York.