Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Midtown Manhattan/Penn Station

The Fairfield Inn & Suites is an excellent mid-range property in the heart of Midtown West. Guests enter to a surprisingly impressive lobby, with high ceilings, contemporary furnishings, and gorgeous chandeliers. The lobby also features a grab-and-go marketplace, small business center, and a bell desk (an uncommon feature at a Fairfield property).The hotel's amenities are similarly impressive. A rooftop bar is a highlight, and the free breakfast buffet, which can be enjoyed in an outdoor courtyard in warmer months, adds value. Business travelers will appreciate the available meeting space and 24-hour fitness center.

The Fairfield Inn & Suites is located one block from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, an area of the city that is busy and not particularly attractive, but extremely convenient. Thirteen subway lines are nearby, and several sights are within walking distance, including the Empire State Building (a thirteen-minute walk). It's a 14-minute walk Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and about 18 minutes to Times Square.The property is a few blocks west of great shopping, but the area’s dining scene is unexciting, with mostly fast food joints catering both to the corporate offices and to travelers on their way to or from Penn Station. For better options, walk south to the Chelsea neighborhood.

Rooms at the Fairfield Inn & Suites are spacious, featuring contemporary decor in a neutral color palate. A few bright color touches such as purple and green bedskirts liven things up. The overall effect is sophisticated and a bit more stylish than some may expect from a mid-range chain hotel. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Some feature views of the downtown Manhattan skyline (and the Freedom Tower), while others face Midtown West's own many skyscrapers, including the New York Times building. Rooms on higher floors are quieter and have better views, but there may be a longer wait for the elevator.Bathrooms are roomy, with walk-in showers and toiletries by Pantene.

A highlight of the Fairfield Inn & Suites is its rooftop bar, open seasonally. The space overlooks downtown Manhattan's skyline, and also offers great views of Penn Station and Madison Square Garden from above. There is also an outdoor courtyard off of the breakfast room that can be enjoyed throughout the year.A free breakfast buffet is served daily, and a grab-and-go marketplace is in the lobby, but there is no full-service restaurant on-site.The business center, also in the lobby, is small, and there is meeting space available for small groups on a lower level. A large 24-hour fitness center, with multiple machines and weights, and laundry facilities are also located here.Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.