New York City Hotels

Located in Chelsea, the Plaza is central to all downtown and midtown attractions. This accessibility gave me a wonderful all-around experience and a good overview of the city. It was a nice walk to Greenwich Village, especially when window-shopping on 5th Avenue along the way. And a quick train ride brought me up to Times Square to catch a Broadway show.

As for the nightlife, Chelsea is well known for trendy clubs and an ultra-hip gay scene. There’s plenty of local culture to soak in after dark.

Because the Plaza is jammed onto a very busy street, make sure to keep your eyes open or you just might miss out on a great deal.

The diversity of Canal Street—and all its affordable wares—and the excitement of fashionable Soho are right outside your door. You can shop till you drop, then top it all off with dinner in Little Italy, which offers some of the city’s best food at affordable prices.

I never ran out of things to do or see in this area. From the hotel, it’s a scenic walk to South Street Seaport or the heart of Greenwich Village, and just a quick cab ride to Wall Street, Battery Park and the Statue of Liberty. As a younger traveler, I liked how close it was to a plethora of eclectic hangouts on the Lower East Side and in the East Village.

But this hotel offers more than just a great location. All the rooms have been newly renovated and have state-of-the-art cordless telephones (even in the bathrooms!) and CD players. The lobby even has two kiosks with high-speed Internet access.

Also in the lobby, there’s a small bar/lounge and a sit-down restaurant called the Pacifica. Reflecting the diversity of the area, the restaurant serves traditional Cantonese dishes as well as some American fare.

The staff at the front desk is friendly and helpful, and there are security guards located at the main entrance, even though the area is pretty safe.

All in all, the Holiday Inn Downtown is a real find!

If you’re lucky enough to snag a street view, you’ll probably be able to see Madison Square Garden from your window—watch out though, I’m sure it can get quite noisy. And the Empire State Building and Times Square are just a few blocks away.

When you get worn out from all the walking and want to sit back and relax, one of the city’s best movie theaters is just a block away. I like the brand-new Loews 34th Street because it offers something for everyone—stadium/priority seating and both first-run blockbusters and independent films.

For those on a tight budget, this HoJo’s provides complimentary continental breakfast. It also has free juice and coffee 24 hours a day. While I was there, though, a couple of the machines were broken and the doors to the dining area were locked after breakfast. But, hey, just do what I did—take your coffee with you and go explore the city some more!

Sipping coffee at the café and people watching was something I really enjoyed doing while I was there. And the helpful "Theatre & Tour" desk had everything I needed in order to make the most of my time in the city.

Downstairs, away from the hubbub, there was a fitness room, laundromat and 24-hour business center, which had a computer with Internet access, a fax machine and a copier. Strict security at the elevators kept random visitors from roaming the floors.

My only complaint is that the lobby was so busy at times, individualized service was scarce. I waited an eternity to ask someone a question at the front desk. But luckily, I forgot all about that once I hit the city streets.

Not only is the New Yorker a great hotel, its location can’t be beat. I was within walking distance to many major attractions, including Madison Square Garden, the Empire State building, Times Square/Theater District and all sorts of shopping.

The hotel is very small and basic, but also rather new (it opened in 2001). It is near Soho, Little Italy and the Financial District, and the subway is extremely close by. I liked it because it’s near the East Village, which has a lot of cool bars and restaurants.

I didn’t see it, but the hotel apparently has a large penthouse suite with a Jacuzzi and private rooftop. I bet the view from up there is great!

Although it’s adjacent to some interesting sites, the Windsor’s location leaves much to be desired. I wouldn’t recommend staying here if you are a single traveler who’s never been to New York.

Snuggled between Murray Hill and Gramercy Park, the hotel is surrounded by tree-lined streets and historic buildings. And many of the city’s major attractions are just a stroll away.

I found it very relaxing that the guest room mixed mahogany furniture and soothing colors. The bathroom was marble and rather spacious. Many of the rooms have a nice view of the Empire State Building, which is just a few blocks away.

The exterior is beautiful; the elaborate architecture only adds to the charm of the neighborhood. The aesthetics are only slightly spoiled by the fact that the building is currently undergoing a multimillion-dollar restoration.

The outgoing staff reassured me that everything should be completed sometime this year, and I was also told a little about what was being done. A new wing will include an atrium with a waterfall—right now the lobby is on the small side but because it’s ensconced in glass and mirrors, it has an airy feel—a health club/spa and a four-star restaurant/bar. All this is more than enough reason for me to return!

The mod lobby had a small alcove library with a TV. There was a complimentary cappuccino machine—if you’re a night owl, like me, it’s good to know it’s available 24 hours a day. And no matter what time it was, the staff at the front desk was more than helpful.

Although the guestroom was small, it was clean and comfy. There wasn’t much of a view though. I had a choice between a room overlooking an adjoining rooftop or construction. I chose construction, because at least I overlooked the street.

Located just a few blocks from Union Square, which has the city’s biggest Farmer’s Market, the Marcel is truly a hidden gem.

First of all, you can’t beat Tribeca, literally the TRiangle BElow CAnal. It’s a hip, affluent, and artistic area that’s also laid back, relatively quiet, and close to all sorts of things to do. But most importantly, the hotel itself has plenty to do and offers a lot of eye candy. You could avoid the outside world for a week and still have a blast!

Everything is very modern and comfortable, and the décor is spot on. My room (a standard) was very cozy, and the bathroom was amazing! There were tons of amenities at my fingertips, including a fax machine and all sorts of goodies (snacks, disposable cameras, even Tribeca Grand T-shirts and caps).

The hallway outside my room overlooked the atrium. The design gave the hotel an outdoorsy, airy feel (if you are afraid of heights, though, I wouldn’t recommend the higher floors).

On nights and weekends, this hotel becomes an uber trendy hang out. Trinity restaurant and the Church lounge can get really packed. The Tribeca Grand also has screening rooms and is home to many Tribeca Film Festival events. But don’t worry, all rooms have sound barriers so you can still get a good night’s rest.

I just can’t say enough positive things about this place! If you have the money, it’s a must when visiting NYC.

The lobby was rather spacious, and the staff was friendly and helpful with everything from transportation/directions to theater tickets.

There’s a huge restaurant called Mindy’s, and Harry’s Bar serves drinks till late. Hotel security was pretty good, with a 24-hour doorman on duty.

The room décor was a bit reminiscent of my grandmother’s house in the late ’70s/early ’80s—not the greatest aesthetic, but it made me feel at home.

Although the hallways are extremely narrow and the rooms are close together, everything is quite clean, and I had all the basics. There was even a breakfast café in the lobby!

I was happy to be in the heart of the Fashion District, and just five blocks or so from the Empire State Building, Macy’s and Herald Square. On a nice day, I even walked to Times Square. There was a subway station just a block away, so I had easy access to all of the city’s attractions.