The Westin New York at Times Square

With 873 guest rooms spread across 40 floors, the Westin is big, but not nearly as big as other Times Square convention-focused hotels like the nearby Marriott Marquis (1,949 rooms) or the Sheraton Hotel & Towers (1,750 rooms). Still, it's located just a block away from the heart of Times Square, and the lobby can feel as busy during the day as 42nd Street, right outside the hotel. Wi-Fi can be accessed for free in the lobby, but not in the rooms, where access requires a daily fee. Price gouging for in-room internet aside, the hotel has a few notable pros, like a free 24-hour gym and loads of business facilities (ballrooms, theaters, and conference rooms). Most commendable, though, is the hotel's commitment to energy conservation and all-around sustainability (the Westin is part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, which has pledged to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by 30 percent and water consumption by 20 percent by 2020). There is recyclable carpet on the walls, non-toxic paint on the walls, and low-flush (1.6 gallon) toilets and faucets in all bathrooms. Cleaning products are EPA-approved, and even the room keys are 100-percent recycled and biodegradable. 

The hotel stretches from 42nd to 43rd streets along Eighth Avenue, just one short block from the heart of Times Square and at the same intersection as the Port Authority, the city's main bus depot. The back side of the hotel opens up to 42nd Street, which is chock-full of franchise restaurants like Chevy's (Mexican) and plenty of tourist-focused shops. The hotel is connected to a large shopping and theater complex called E-Walk, which has a 13-plex movie theater and various shops.Though once seedy, Times Square was reborn in the mid-'90s as a commercialized tourist haven, lit by 24-hour flashing billboards and theme restaurants. Today, visitors walking the streets are more likely to be accosted by a comedy-club promoter, a rickshaw bicycle operator, or a caricature artist than a mugger. It's crowded, but there's something unquestionably exhilarating -- and convenient -- about staying in the neon-lit heart of the city. Plus, much of Broadway is closed to traffic, so it's pedestrian-friendly.- About one block from the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, and S subway lines; two blocks from the A, C, E, B, D, F, and M subway lines

• 15-minute subway ride to Central Park
• Two-minute walk to Times Square
• 15-minute walk to the Empire State Building
• 30-minute subway ride to the ferry terminal to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• 20-minute subway ride or walk to Rockefeller Center
• 20-minute subway ride to the American Museum of Natural History
• 30-minute subway ride to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the "Met") and 15-minute subway ride or walk to the Museum of Modern Art (the "MoMA")

All of the Westin's 873 guest rooms were included in the hotel's 2013-2015 renovation, which outfitted them with lots of green-friendly details, like energy-conserving LED and CFL lights, low-flow toilets and sinks, energy-efficient thermostats, and GreenGuard-certified solar shades. Like all Westin rooms, the rooms and suites here feature pillow-topped "Heavenly Beds" (with down blankets and down and hypoallergenic pillows) and White Tea by Westin bath products. Other amenities include cordless phones, 47-inch flat-screen HD TVs, iHome clock radios, hairdryers, coffeemakers, safe, bathrobes, stocked minibars, and work desks.Family Rooms come with two queen beds, microwaves and refrigerators. Other rooms can easily fit a rollaway bed for an extra per night fee. Cribs are free.

The hotel's Foundry Kitchen & Bar, quaintly decorated with copper pots and wooden spoons on the walls, offers breakfast (for a fee), 24-hour room service, and a kids' menu (kids under 12 eat for free).The modern gym features LifeFitness equipment, a filtered water system, chilled towels, and excellent views of the Hudson River. Guests can rent New Balance cross-trainers and workout clothing in their size for a small fee.Three ballrooms and 32 conference and breakout rooms, all equipped with video conferencing and Wi-Fi. The hotel is connected to Regal movie theaters, which can be used for presentations and events.Kids receive a backpack with coloring books at check-in. Dogs (under 40 pounds) are allowed with a signed waiver and a non-refundable fee, but they cannot stay in the rooms unattended. Dogs get a free Heavenly Dog Bed during their stays.