New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [257]
The Time Hotel.
$$–$$$ | One of the neighborhood’s first boutique hotels, this spot half a block from the din of Times Square tempers trendiness with a touch of humor. A ridiculously futuristic glass elevator—eggshells line the bottom of the shaft—transports guests to the second-floor lobby. In the adjoining bar nature videos lighten up the low-slung, serious, gray-scale furnishings, and local DJs spin a fresh selection of music in the trendy Time Lounge. The smallish guest rooms, each themed to one of the primary colors—red, yellow, or blue—have mood lighting and even specific “color” aromas that create a unique, if contrived, hotel experience. Whatever your primary color, they boast iPod docks, large flat-screen TVs, and modern, if not especially comfortable, beds and couches. Pros: acclaimed and popular Serafina restaurant downstairs; surprisingly quiet for Times Square location; good turndown service. Cons: decor makes the rooms a little dated; service is inconsistent; water pressure is lacking. TripAdvisor: “prime location,” “very small bathroom,” “clean and safe.” | 224 W. 49th St., between Broadway and 8th Ave., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/320–2900 or 877/846–3692 | www.thetimeny.com | 164 rooms, 29 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, gym, laundry service, Internet terminal, parking (paid) | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: 1, C, E to 50th St.
W Times Square.
$ | First opened at the end of 2001, the W Times Square is looking sleek once again thanks to a recent renovation. One thing they didn’t tinker with: the iconic, 57-story exterior, which still stands out among the Times Square craziness. The biggest benefit is in the rooms, with pink and purple accents, hideaway cabinets, a floating platform with a fantastic featherbed, and sleek bathrooms. The more expensive rooms on the higher floors have impressive views to the west over the Hudson River. Blue Fin, the sushi restaurant, and the Living Room bar remain popular, if pricey offshoots of the eighth-floor lobby, which is always flooded with activity. Pros: bustling nightlife and happy-hour scene; sleek rooms. Cons: if you want quiet, head elsewhere; no bathtubs in the smaller rooms. TripAdvisor: “pleasant front desk staff,” “always comfortable rooms,” “street noise.” | 1567 Broadway, at W. 47th St., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/930–7400 or 877/946–8357 | www.whotels.com | 464 rooms, 43 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, DVD, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, gym, spa, laundry service, Internet terminal, Wi-Fi hotspot, some pets allowed | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S to 42nd St./Times Sq.
Warwick.
$$–$$$ | This grande dame was built by William Randolph Hearst for his mistress, Hollywood actress Marion Davies, and it has hosted many from Tinseltown since then, including Cary Grant in the Presidential Suite for 12 years. Though there are many different room categories, the Premier Suites have benefited from a recent refresh that includes a sea-foam color scheme, flat-screen televisions, and Bulgari bath products. Some of the higher-floor suites have terraces overlooking 6th Avenue. The more standard rooms are a bit tired, however, and some come with “New York-y” views of an airshaft. The Murals on 54 restaurant, which takes up a big portion of the ground floor, serves Italian-influenced American fare under the gaze of 1930s-era murals—try to spot the “obscene” additions that the artist inserted after a disagreement with Hearst. Randolph’s Bar remains packed late into the evening. Pros: excellent restaurant and bar; historic property; spacious suites. Cons: not all rooms have been redone; no a/c in the hallways. TripAdvisor: “fabulous personnel,” “always clean room,” “lovely view of Central Park.” | 65 W. 54th St., at 6th Ave., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/247–2700 or 800/223–4099 | www.warwickhotelny.com | 359 rooms, 66 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, refrigerator, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: 2 restaurants,