Candlewood Suites New York City Times Square

The Candlewood Suites has a lobby lounge area that looks like it should feel peaceful, but the atmosphere is very come-and-go. There are cream walls, burgundy accent walls, and hexagonal floor tiles of different neutral shades. From lilies to ferns, every glass table has a different plant and the bookcase is stocked with more mossy looking artificial plants and two shelves of books. The large sectional couch, a tabletop ottoman, and isolated solo sofas around the periphery of the room are comfortable enough. Bowls of candies are available both here and at the front desk. The area is roomy and well lit thanks to huge front windows, but it feels like more of a waiting area than a lounge. The sound of the automatic front doors constantly opening and closing -- with consistent traffic outside -- drowns out the flat-screen TV. This is a standard, busy Midtown hotel.

The Midtown West Candlewood Suites property is wedged directly in between a Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express. The sky-rise hotel is three blocks removed from the famous tourist stop (and traffic hub), Times Square, meaning the buzzing atmosphere of the "city that never sleeps" is right at your door. Staying at the Candlewood Suites ensures easy access to everything, since most of New York's trains -- the 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, R, Q and shuttle to Grand Central Terminal -- stop at the Times Square - 42nd Street station. There's also a convenient CitiBike rental rack right outside the hotel for adventurous or active visitors to enjoy. In addition to all the shopping, people watching, Broadway shows, drinking, and partying you can take in within Midtown, a wide variety of dining options are also within walking distance. This is especially true for Restaurant Row on 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, which has a variety of pubs and restaurant choices.

Hallways are quiet and there are only six rooms on each floor. The Queen Bed Studio is very spacious with views of the city. Decor is pretty standard with wooden furniture, cream walls, and two framed art pieces above the bed. The well-equipped kitchen is the star here. It comes with a two burner stove, coffeemaker, cutting board, microwave (with butter popcorn), and dishwasher. Cutlery, can openers, serving spoons, and pots and pans are in the lower drawer while paper towels and cleaning materials are under the sink. Plates, glasses, mugs, tea, sugar, salt and pepper shakers, a toaster, measuring cup, tupperware, and a strainer-slash-microwave cover are all in the upper cabinets. There's a full fridge and freezer with a large jug for juice inside.Inside the closet there is a full mirror, a safe, ironing materials, several hangers, and a hamper basket for laundry. The room's mini work station comes with a desk, two chairs, ethernet cords, and a cork board with push pins above the table. While the black leather reclining sofa doesn't necessarily match the decor of the desk, drawers, and bed -- which is topped with a spotted green accent pillow, white sheets, and thick tan and white bedcover -- it is extremely comfortable. Bathrooms are standard and clean, with ample towels, soaps, and shampoo -- but no lotion.

The Candlewood Suites offers a handful of freebies. The basement fitness room is open 24 hours. While it is small in size, it's fairly private and equipped with two treadmills, a multipurpose strength training machine, an elliptical, a yoga mat, and a scale. There's also a flat-screen TV, a towel rack, a water machine, and a fan in the corner of the room. Also in the basement is the guest laundry room, with free washers and dryers. Room cards are required to access both these facilities.Free coffee and tea is offered at the 24-hour Candlewood Cupboard shop right beside the front desk, where beverages, snacks, medicine, fruits, ice cream, and more are available for purchase. There is also free Wi-Fi in the rooms and common areas, free DVDs to borrow at the front desk, and a dry erase board with dining suggestions, the day's weather, upcoming events, and NYC fun facts near the elevators. Two stand-up computer kiosks in the lobby function as Candlewood's business center, and concierge kiosks are there for guests to use as well.