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I must say it was a pleasant stay. The hotel is located at West 53rd Street and Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue). It’s close to Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, 5th Avenue, and more. It is a large hotel with many guests, but with the enormous lobby it never looked crowded. There’s a special check-in reception for HHonors Gold members. It’s located across the main reception. It was nice that we didn’t have to wait at the check–in desk. The lobby also has a piano bar.

The room:
We didn’t have a renovated room, but it didn’t bother us (I don’t care if I have a flat screen TV or not). The beds and pillows where very comfortable; beautiful white linens, it was all so clean. The room was quite large, not bad at all for New York. The view was not spectacular, just another tall building. Only on the higher floors you’ll have Central Park views.

Breakfast:
Because we’re HHonors Gold members our breakfast was complimentary. We had breakfast every morning in New York Marketplace. We could choose from the cold buffet. If we wanted the all American Breakfast Buffet (warm and cold) we had to pay extra. For us, the continental breakfast was enough. There was plenty of choice of pastries, Ciabatta bread, different kinds of cheese, ham, fresh fruit, coffee, and fresh squeezed orange juice. During the week it wasn’t crowded in the restaurant; the weekends were busier.

Beside the New York Marketplace, the Hilton also has the upscale Etrusca for fine dining and two bars; Lobby Lounge and Bridges Bar.

Overall:
We really enjoyed our stay. The location was perfect! The premiere of Mission Impossible took place in a movie theater called the Ziegfeld Theatre next door. The red carpet was already strolling out, people were waiting. The view from our hotel on the red carpet was perfect (see picture). We decided to go back to our room to wait for a few hours. I never saw Tom Cruise and his co actors, because I fell asleep (thanks to the heavenly beds)… aaahh!! When I woke up he was already gone!

The only negative thing was that I found this hotel very expensive. Maybe it was the wrong time of year, because it wasn’t only expensive in the Hilton but also in other hotels like Park Central.

After the WTC and Empire State Building we wanted to see the view from the Top of the Rock. It was around 11 o'clock when we arrived at the Top of the Rock. It was very quiet at that time. No waiting lines for tickets. We even didn't have to wait at the elevator. In about 10 minutes we were at top of Rockefeller Center.

The first elevator brings you to an exhibition of the history of Rockefeller Center. There’s a timeline with pictures and sounds. There is also a girder to walk over. You can look down and see what the workers saw when they built it. There is perplex floor on either side.

The second elevator brings you to the observation deck. These elevators have a see-through glass roof, it’s an attraction itself. When the elevator is in motion the elevator shaft lights up. It’s fantastic to see. So heads up in the elevator!

First you come at a lower observation deck that’s surrounded by panels of non-reflective safety glass. The view is amazing; especially the view of Central Park. This is something you won’t see when you’re at top of the Empire State Building. You can’t get enough of the view. Wherever you look it’s just beautiful! The second and higher level has no safety glass. The view is getting better and better. I just can’t get enough of the views; it is breathtaking! I highly recommend a visit to Top of the Rock. You won’t be sorry!

For $2 you can buy a brochure that tells you which buildings you are seeing when you’re at the top.

We didn’t buy our tickets through the Internet. If you have tickets in front you must go on the date you selected, whether the weather is good or not. So I prefer to buy my tickets minutes before visiting the Top of the Rock.

We've been on all three observation decks; World Trade Centre, Empire State Building and Top of the Rock. Every building has its unique views. The one I like the most is Top of the Rock, because you have great views of Central Park. Experience it yourself!

HOURS:
8am to midnight
365 days a year
The last elevator is going up at 11pm.