Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West

The two-sided terrace with its resort-style seating and cocktail tables brightens the otherwise dreary stretch of West 48th Street. Weather (and on-going street construction) permitting, the terrace serves as an inviting extension to the hotel’s busy lobby where luggage-laden travelers and groups tend to congregate waiting to check-in and depart. In the morning guests follow the aroma of cinnamon rolls (a popular item at the buffet) to the bright and modern dining room opposite the lobby for the free breakfast. Throughout the day, the spacious room serves as the hotel’s social center, a place to linger, hold a meeting, or check e-mail and print boarding passes at the two-computer business station. Sightseers can use the handy computer kiosk to purchase tickets for Broadway shows and browse for ideas on what to do and see during their stay in New York City.

The hotel is located on a bland block of West 48th Street, across from a Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center. Just two blocks to the Hudson River, the Holiday Inn's far west side location makes it popular with the Jacob Javits Center conference crowd and those embarking on cruises out of the nearby terminal. Its Hell’s Kitchen location delivers a less hectic, residential feel than comparable hotels in the heart of Times Square. Nearby streets are lined with brownstones and apartment buildings, and Ninth Avenue is a parade of interesting restaurants and bars. Those looking to get to the heart of some of NYC's biggest attractions need to pack comfortable shoes as it is a solid half mile (10- to 15-minute walk) to reach Times Square, the Theater District, Restaurant Row, and the nearest subway stop at 50th Street. Other Midtown hot spots such as Rockefeller Center, the shops of Fifth Avenue, and Central Park require extra legwork or a quick cab ride.- 10-minute walk to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

• 10-minute walk to Times Square
• 10-minute walk to Restaurant Row
• 10-minute walk to Broadway’s theater district
• 20-minute walk to Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Central Park
• Five-minute cab ride to Manhattan Cruise Ship Terminal
• 18-minute walk or five-minute cab ride to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
• 18-minute walk to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and A,C, E subway lines at 42rd Street
• 45-minute drive, or 60-minute subway ride to LaGuardia Airport
• 60-minute drive, or 80-minute subway ride to JFK Airport

Views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline are perks for those who book rooms on the upper floors of this 11-story hotel. Most rooms share the same square footage with the distinction between Standard (floors 1-4), Superior (floors 4-8), and King View (floors 8-11) categories based on location. The largest, although limited in number, rooms are classified as King Rooms with Sofa Beds. While small in size, the rooms are neatly arranged with perfectly sized furniture that includes armoires stocked with a laptop compatible safes, desks with a black leather ergonomic chairs, and cabinets with coffeemakers and mini-fridges. Hinting at boutique style, all of the rooms feature a soothing color palette of sage green and warm beige with modern window shades, honey-colored furniture, and crisp white linens. The tidy bathrooms feature neutral beige tile work, dark wood vanities, and bathtub/showers with curved shower bars.

The Holiday Inn Express is equally appealing to business travelers, tourists, and the cruise ship crowd. The branded value-oriented hotel lacks amenities such as room service and on-site parking, but offers plenty of free perks such as a breakfast buffet, Wi-Fi, bottled water, a business center station, and a 24-hour fitness center.