The Wolcott Hotel

Dating back to 1904, the Wolcott Hotel has a colorful history, from reports of being haunted to having housed famous guests like Edith Wharton and Buddy Holly. The hotel takes pride in preserving and celebrating its past; the building itself retains its Renaissance-style architectural moldings, and the lobby feels like stepping into a grander New York of a bygone era with its rich carpeting, marble pillars, classic chandeliers, gold railings on winding staircases, and ornate ceiling trimmings. There’s also a small Wolcott museum adjacent to the reception, featuring a gallery of old photos and other highlights detailing the hotel’s origins. Common areas throughout the property have the same rich carpeting, and are well-maintained, but have a definite dated quality. Nonetheless, the hotel is a vintage treat for tourists who want a taste of yesteryear Manhattan.

Located on Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan, surrounded by corporate buildings, other hotels, and restaurants, the hotel is in an extremely convenient spot for both tourists and business travelers. The Empire State Building and Koreatown are both three-minute walks away, and the high-end boutiques further up Fifth Avenue are a 15-minute walk away. Madison Square Garden is eight minutes away on foot. Times Square can be reached in 10 minutes on foot. Penn Station is also a 10-minute walk away, and there are several subway stations a five- to ten-minute walk away. Other New York attractions like Central Park and Rockefeller Center can be reached in under 20 minutes by public transport. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Statue of Liberty ferry terminal, are both about 30 minutes away by subway.LaGuardia Airport is a 30-minute drive away. JFK Airport is about 45 minutes away by car. Newark Airport takes 35 minutes to reach by car. All drive times are dependent on traffic. The hotel does organize shuttles to JFK Airport, but fees apply.

Not all rooms are the same size even if they’re in the same category, but most are spacious by New York City standards, and come with high ceilings. Although they bring in the look and feel of the lobby, the old-fashioned aesthetic doesn’t translate quite as charmingly; many of their details feel dated, like the striped wallpaper in the Standard Twin Rooms, the silk bed skirts in the Triple Rooms, and the thick carpeting across the board. Standard room amenities are minimal. All have air-conditioning units (although they, along with the heating, can be loud), 36-inch flat-screen TVs, laptop-compatible safes, and small work desks. Wi-Fi is available but with per-day fees for a maximum of two devices. There are no mini-fridges or tea-and coffee-making facilities in the rooms, which can be inconvenient. Ironing equipment is provided. Smoking rooms are available. Junior Suites comprise two rooms connected by an archway.Bathrooms are tiny, with single sinks, small mirrors, and simple tiling. However, all have shower/tub combos with fixed showerheads, toiletries, and hairdryers. Most windows don’t look out onto anything spectacular, but some rooms are lucky enough to have fantastic Empire State Building views. 

The hotel lacks a full restaurant or bar, but free coffee, tea, and muffins are provided in the lobby every day as a grab-and-go breakfast. A fitness area, a laundry room, a gift shop, and meeting facilities are available, but most features look dated. Off-site parking is available for fees. The per-day, per-device fees for in-room Wi-Fi also apply in common areas.