I will preface this review by saying that I'm a frequent traveler to NYC, a platinum member of Starwood, and not a very big fan of NYC.
I arrived at the hotel right off a redeye flight. The check in was very efficient and courteous. The door men were helpful when asked. The front desk said that a room was ready so checked me in to a 10th floor room right next to the elevator facing north. As soon as I walked in, all I could hear was the construction site immediately to the north of the hotel (the hotel is between 56th and 57th street, but doesn't span the entire block). Immediately adjacent to the hotel is a construction site that looks like it's going to be going on for at least 9 months if not longer, and it's very loud.
I went and asked for a different room. There was none available so I left my name and number, put my luggage with the bell desk and went and got a massage. To their credit, they called me as soon as another room was available. They put me on a high floor with a beautiful view of Central Park.
I was at least 35 floors up, but will say that the noise was awful. More so than even other hotels in NYC (and I've stayed at several hotels in Times Square). I figured out that the noise during the day was from 1) the construction site and 2) 57th street. I constantly heard honking and sirens since 57th is a major east west street. The lack of double paned windows also doesn't help.
Additionally, the high floors are serviced by 3 elevators. On two of my 5 night stays, I had to wait a good 8-10 minutes for an elevator. I (as well as all the guests waiting for me) found this to be unacceptable.
But beyond the noise and the elevators, the views are great from the high floors, service very efficient, beds are comfortable, rooms are old but functional. The location is great as it's walking distance to almost anything you'd want to do in midtown (MoMA, Central Park, 5th Avenue, Times Square) and there is almost every bus or train that you'd need to take within a 7 minute walk.
I will definitely stay again if I'm going for business (meaning out of the hotel from 9-8 pm daily) but will find somewhere else to stay if on vacation.
hotel reviews