The Midtown outpost of this four-and-a-half-pearl hotel remains a mainstay for travelers loyal to the brand, but it has some quirks and drawbacks that should be noted. A bold statement is made from the start, with grandiose interiors designed by I.M. Pei, yet beyond the marble-clad lobby, Four Seasons New York delivers an abbreviated version of a luxury hotel experience. Features check high-end boxes -- there's a bar with top-notch cocktails and 24-hour room service -- but the hotel lacks a dinner restaurant, the spa and small gym are in the basement, and there's no pool. Its 368 spacious guest rooms and suites are sophisticated and comfortably staid, with custom-made furniture, minibars, and bathrobes, though high-end amenities like espresso machines and iPod docks are missing. Travelers looking for a step up in features can try The St. Regis New York.
The Midtown outpost of this four-and-a-half-pearl hotel remains a mainstay for travelers loyal to the brand, but it has some quirks and drawbacks that should be noted. A bold statement is made from the start, with grandiose interiors designed by I.M. Pei, yet beyond the marble-clad lobby, Four Seasons New York delivers an abbreviated version of a luxury hotel experience. Features check high-end boxes -- there's a bar with top-notch cocktails and 24-hour room service -- but the hotel lacks a dinner restaurant, the spa and small gym are in the basement, and there's no pool. Its 368 spacious guest rooms and suites are sophisticated and comfortably staid, with custom-made furniture, minibars, and bathrobes, though high-end amenities like espresso machines and iPod docks are missing. Travelers looking for a step up in features can try The St. Regis New York.
This virtually flawless 88-room TriBeCa hotel (opened in 2008 by Robert de Niro, among others) offers large, homey rooms, breathtaking design, and very attentive service. Even better: free Wi-Fi; free minibar snacks; and free Wii video games by request. Better still: an underground pool; Shibui Spa; premier gym; and the homestyle Italian Locanda Verde restaurant.
This virtually flawless 88-room TriBeCa hotel (opened in 2008 by Robert de Niro, among others) offers large, homey rooms, breathtaking design, and very attentive service. Even better: free Wi-Fi; free minibar snacks; and free Wii video games by request. Better still: an underground pool; Shibui Spa; premier gym; and the homestyle Italian Locanda Verde restaurant.
The mid-range Lex Hotel is a sleek, 48-room boutique hotel with affordable rates couched between New York's Gramercy Park and Murray Hill neighborhoods, near the subway and lots of dining options. The stylish rooms have queen-size beds, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and black-and-white tile bathrooms. Mini-fridges are available on request. Superior Queen Rooms and Junior Suites have balconies, but they face other buildings. A continental breakfast is included in the room rate, adding to the hotel's value. Travelers might want to compare rates with the nearby Marcel at Gramercy, which has funkier rooms and a 10th-floor lounge, but Wi-Fi and breakfast come with fees.
The mid-range Lex Hotel is a sleek, 48-room boutique hotel with affordable rates couched between New York's Gramercy Park and Murray Hill neighborhoods, near the subway and lots of dining options. The stylish rooms have queen-size beds, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and black-and-white tile bathrooms. Mini-fridges are available on request. Superior Queen Rooms and Junior Suites have balconies, but they face other buildings. A continental breakfast is included in the room rate, adding to the hotel's value. Travelers might want to compare rates with the nearby Marcel at Gramercy, which has funkier rooms and a 10th-floor lounge, but Wi-Fi and breakfast come with fees.
Located in Hell's Kitchen within a five-minute walk of Times Square, the mid-range French Quarters NYC has 22 rooms and five suites, which include kitchenettes with mini-fridges, coffeemakers, sinks, and stove tops. Two-Bedroom Suites include separate living areas and private balconies or patios, some with scenic skyline views. A continental breakfast is included in the rate, and there's a popular on-site restaurant serving Creole-style cuisine, with room service available. Travelers might also want to check out the nearby TRYP by Wyndham New York Times Square, which includes fitness and business centers, though rates can be higher.
Located in Hell's Kitchen within a five-minute walk of Times Square, the mid-range French Quarters NYC has 22 rooms and five suites, which include kitchenettes with mini-fridges, coffeemakers, sinks, and stove tops. Two-Bedroom Suites include separate living areas and private balconies or patios, some with scenic skyline views. A continental breakfast is included in the rate, and there's a popular on-site restaurant serving Creole-style cuisine, with room service available. Travelers might also want to check out the nearby TRYP by Wyndham New York Times Square, which includes fitness and business centers, though rates can be higher.
This 347-room Days Inn has some positives: a great location on the residential Upper West Side; spacious rooms; and free Wi-Fi. But overall, the property feels dated, despite ongoing renovations. Rooms on the upper floors are bright, with modern decor and updated technology, but lower floors that have not received renovations are dated and musty. On-site amenities are few; there is a small fitness center with just two machines and a similarly sized business center. Rates are reasonable, but it's worth comparing with other properties in the area, such as the Newton Hotel or Marrakech Hotel.
This 347-room Days Inn has some positives: a great location on the residential Upper West Side; spacious rooms; and free Wi-Fi. But overall, the property feels dated, despite ongoing renovations. Rooms on the upper floors are bright, with modern decor and updated technology, but lower floors that have not received renovations are dated and musty. On-site amenities are few; there is a small fitness center with just two machines and a similarly sized business center. Rates are reasonable, but it's worth comparing with other properties in the area, such as the Newton Hotel or Marrakech Hotel.
Located in Lower Manhattan in the heart of the financial district, this DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel property is an upper-middle-range property that's popular with business travelers. Its 399 rooms are compact in size, but clean, tastefully decorated, and outfitted with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and coffeemakers. Amenities include an on-site Italian restaurant and bar, a fitness center, and a meeting room, but there are complaints of slow elevators, and Wi-Fi is only free for Hilton HHonors members (which guests can join for free). Travelers may also want to consider the Millenium Hilton, which for similar rates, offers a 40-foot indoor pool and impressive city views from the guest rooms.
Located in Lower Manhattan in the heart of the financial district, this DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel property is an upper-middle-range property that's popular with business travelers. Its 399 rooms are compact in size, but clean, tastefully decorated, and outfitted with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and coffeemakers. Amenities include an on-site Italian restaurant and bar, a fitness center, and a meeting room, but there are complaints of slow elevators, and Wi-Fi is only free for Hilton HHonors members (which guests can join for free). Travelers may also want to consider the Millenium Hilton, which for similar rates, offers a 40-foot indoor pool and impressive city views from the guest rooms.
Located just minutes from some of Midtown's best attractions -- Times Square, Fifth Avenue's shopping stretch, and Rockefeller Center, among them -- the 124-room Holiday Inn Express Fifth Avenue is a comfortable option with free Wi-Fi and continental breakfast. The standard rooms, though cramped, have either a king-size bed or two doubles -- a rare thing, in New York. Distrikt Hotel, another value spot in Midtown, charges for its continental breakfast, but could be an excellent alternative for travelers hoping for a bit more style.
Located just minutes from some of Midtown's best attractions -- Times Square, Fifth Avenue's shopping stretch, and Rockefeller Center, among them -- the 124-room Holiday Inn Express Fifth Avenue is a comfortable option with free Wi-Fi and continental breakfast. The standard rooms, though cramped, have either a king-size bed or two doubles -- a rare thing, in New York. Distrikt Hotel, another value spot in Midtown, charges for its continental breakfast, but could be an excellent alternative for travelers hoping for a bit more style.
From the turntables and Tivoli radios in the rooms to the free craft beer during happy hour in the lobby, the upscale Hotel Max is distinct and stylish. Its 163 rooms are colorful and decorated with works by local artists -- and some have Space Needle views -- but space is tight, and guests report shower stalls are small. However, there is a lot of verve in the contemporary furnishings and bohemian vibe. And there's a gym, a business center, meeting rooms, and event spaces as well. The restaurant next door -- Miller's Guild -- is an industrial-chic spot with a James-Beard-award-winning chef, and it provides 24 hour room service. And the downtown location means several other dining options are in walking distance, including Pike Place Market. An alternative high-style option in the area that travelers could consider is the Alexis Hotel.
From the turntables and Tivoli radios in the rooms to the free craft beer during happy hour in the lobby, the upscale Hotel Max is distinct and stylish. Its 163 rooms are colorful and decorated with works by local artists -- and some have Space Needle views -- but space is tight, and guests report shower stalls are small. However, there is a lot of verve in the contemporary furnishings and bohemian vibe. And there's a gym, a business center, meeting rooms, and event spaces as well. The restaurant next door -- Miller's Guild -- is an industrial-chic spot with a James-Beard-award-winning chef, and it provides 24 hour room service. And the downtown location means several other dining options are in walking distance, including Pike Place Market. An alternative high-style option in the area that travelers could consider is the Alexis Hotel.
Built in 1927, the 160-room Mayflower Park is an upper-middle-range property with lots of Old World charm. Interiors are traditionally elegant and rooms are gracious, with plush beds, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. This property features a locally renowned Mediterranean restaurant and a classic cocktail bar plus a free weekly wine tasting. The hotel is a short walk to shopping and dining, and it's connected via walkway to Westlake Center and a five-minute walk from iconic Pike Place Market. While the Mayflower Park is not as modern and upscale as the nearby Andra, prices are relatively affordable for downtown, and there is a fitness center on-site.
Built in 1927, the 160-room Mayflower Park is an upper-middle-range property with lots of Old World charm. Interiors are traditionally elegant and rooms are gracious, with plush beds, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. This property features a locally renowned Mediterranean restaurant and a classic cocktail bar plus a free weekly wine tasting. The hotel is a short walk to shopping and dining, and it's connected via walkway to Westlake Center and a five-minute walk from iconic Pike Place Market. While the Mayflower Park is not as modern and upscale as the nearby Andra, prices are relatively affordable for downtown, and there is a fitness center on-site.