Millennium Times Square New York

This 625-room property is a big, basic midrange hotel located half a block from the heart of Times Square. It tends to attract tourists who come to catch Broadway shows and TV tapings, as well as business travelers, many (or perhaps most) of them attending events in the hotel's 110,000-square-foot conference center.

The rooms are reasonably clean and functional but generic. And except for the large, clean, 24-hour fitness center and the on-site Bugis Street Brasserie and Bar, which serves Singaporean and Chinese specialties, the hotel is short on amenities. 

By far the Millennium's biggest asset is its location, but you can likely do better even in the immediate vicinity -- and certainly if you're willing to make just a short walk away from Times Square. 

Near the center of the theater district and a five-minute walk from the world-famous shopping on Fifth Avenue, the Millennium's location is its primary asset. Just half a block from the front door of the Millennium, throngs of tourists navigate the crowded intersections of Times Square. At times it can be hard to cross the street because of all the people.

Virtually every subway line in the city runs through Times Square, so getting uptown to Central Park or downtown to, say, Greenwich Village or Wall Street is easy. A big chunk of Times Square was recently closed to automobile traffic, but cabs are still close at hand at virtually all times of the day or night. There are countless restaurants around the hotel, ranging from mediocre tourist traps to fine-dining establishments that draw pre- and post-theater crowds.

New York City has three nearby airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark (in New Jersey). Getting into town from JFK or LaGuardia is usually more convenient than from Newark, but travel times are heavily dependent on the time of day and traffic conditions. From JFK, a taxi to anywhere in Manhattan costs a flat rate and takes around an hour in average conditions. From LaGuardia, a metered cab ride to midtown Manhattan can take 30 minutes if traffic is light, three times that if it's bad. Rides from Newark can take more than 90 minutes. It's customary to tip your driver 15 to 25 percent.

Those looking to save some cash can use the privately run shuttle buses that are available at all three airports. For more information on the shuttles, go to Super Shuttle or New York Airport Service. Public transit is also available for as little as $7 per person, but travel can take up to two hours and involve a lot of lugging bags up and down stairways.

Despite a handful of faux Art Deco touches, including heavily veneered night tables and desks, amber glass lamps, and a couple of deep leather club chairs, the rooms look and feel pretty generic. The one exception: the view, which isn't exactly awe-inspiring -- it looks out onto a few shiny skyscrapers -- but is at least characteristic of New York.

• Club rooms and suites are available, with exclusive access to the Premier Lounge. The lounge serves continental breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres daily.
• Beds have 440-thread count Italian linens.
• Bathrooms is clean and functional but, like the rest of the room, extremely generic.
• Minibar comes stocked with the usual overpriced munchies, booze, juices, and soda.
• Wi-Fi is available in rooms for a daily fee.
• Large Samsung flat-screen TV gets cable and Pay-Per-View movies.
• Coffeemakers available upon request
• Room service is available for breakfast and dinner.

• 24-hour fitness center with cardio machines, each with their own television, as well as free weights.
• The business center consists of a few computers on the second floor of the lobby.

Though the hotel itself doesn't offer much in the way of kid-focused appeal, the Times Square area offers tons of family-friendly restaurants and attractions. The hotel can provide cribs for free or will arrange baby sitting. Rollaway beds are available for a fee, and the room-service menu also includes children's fare.