We arrived from England after a long bumpy flight, 3 hours at JFK and after getting stuck in traffic from the airport, so needless to say we were exhausted and just wanted to check in! We arrived at the hotel at about 6pm. The lobby is small, there is one or 2 staff members at a small desk and 2 automatic check in computers. The staff were busy so we used the automatic check in. It can be a little confusing if you have never used it before, but after a few frustrating minutes we figured it out. I suppose the only issue with this is not know where the hotel amenities are, however there is a detailed hotel brochure in the room which explains everything. We used the lift but had to be told by another guest that you have to use your room key to access the lift, which is a good idea then it stops non hotel members using the hotel.
There isn't much in this hotel, there is water and ice on most levels and there is a lounge on another level for tea and coffee at certain times, but we were first time visitors to New York so we literally only changed and slept in the hotel so it was perfect for us.
We didn't pay a lot of money for this hotel, it was newly opened when we booked so must have got it at a bargain price as it has since gone up a lot.
We had a room with a fridge and coffee maker (which we used to make tea). it was a long but narrow room, but more than big enough for a few nights stay. We didn't use the AC unit so can't comment on whether this was noisy or not. We used the heating as we went in February and it was fine. We were on the 8th floor and we heard a small hum from outside, but nothing to keep you awake or even really notice. it is to be expected though, the hotel is right opposite the Rockefeller Center and a 1 minute walk to 5th Ave. I expected more noise, but because we were so tired from the days activities we didn't notice any noise and the bed were more than comfortable enough for us meaning we got a good nights sleep.
The bathroom was large and very clean. The cleaners came every day, tidied up and made the bed.
We had a view of St Patricks Cathedral from out room, but i imagine there are plenty of rooms without a view, but your smack in the centre of everything so going without a view for a night wouldn't hurt.
We were a few minutes from Radio City, Times Square, 5th Ave and Rockefeller Centre. We walked everywhere on our trip, to the Circle line cruises, to Grand Central Station, to Madison Square gardens and to the Empire state building. The only time we used the tube was to get downtown, so everything is so easily accessible from this hotel.
We went to the Empire state building at midnight, returning at 1am and we felt safe and secure, i didn't once feel worried or concerned. Even in the busy Times square. New York is so heavily policed that there is no need to worry.
Our hotel was perfectly located and in all honesty its a base. You spend so little time in there and unless you are fortunate enough to be spending some time in New York then you will cram as much as possible into the few days you have, meaning the time you have in the hotel you are so exhausted you fall asleep straight away and don't worry because the next day you are up at the crack of dawn and out for breakfast! which by the way, check out the vendors on the street corners, by day and night they sell hot dogs, but for breakfast they sell bagels, cakes and tea. Most cost $1.50 a item, so looking for a cheap breakfast then you have it. Perfect if you are grabbing something on the go.
The only downside i would day about the jewel is there is no safe, this worried me, taking a large amount of dollars to a a big city and only finding this out on our arrival, however hidden well it all remained safe!
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