After I wrote my hotel review of Miami’s Shore Club Hotel, it came to me that I never got around to sharing the second hotel we stayed in during our trip to NYC. My other half and I are in talks about returning to New York next May to do another East Coast road trip as there were so many places we didn’t get to tick off our list. Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Montuak and Boston are all on our list as well as a visit to Rhode Island to see my bestie. We plan to finish our trip in NYC and we will more than likely book into the New York Time Hotel after having a superb stay with them a year back. This is not a sponsored post, I didn’t get a free stay I just wanted to get a post up for anyone who is planning a little visit to the big apple and takes their hotel choice seriously like I do.
Sleep is important when visiting New York. You’ve probably travelled for hours and the jet lag is telling you to put those cases down and clamber into bed. With snacks. I arrived at the New York Time Hotel stressed, hungry and sleep deprived. We had hired a car to drive from Atlantic City to New York and if you thought driving around the loop road in Leeds City Centre is hard, you haven’t approached New York City on wheels. My husband dropped me off at the hotel before taking the car back to the hire company leaving me with his cases and mine. Which would have been fine had I actually told him to pull up at the right hotel. In my sleep depriven state, my mind had fallen upon the name of the hotel I was going to book for our stay not the one we actually had booked so I found myself trying to check in to a hotel I didn’t actually have a reservation for. I then had to wrestle two suitcases, a handbag, a rucksack and a carrier bag (which broke) back out onto the street to flag a taxi knowing I had no notes for tips for the poor souls who helped me with my bags along the way. If you have ever tried to master the tipping situ in USA you will know how stressful this was. I then had the task of trying to let my husband know that the hotel that he had dropped my off at was indeed the wrong one via WIFI as he had his data roaming turned off. Fun and games indeed.
Image Sources (the time hotel).
The hotel itself is teeny (normal by New York standards) but uber cool. As you might have guessed by the name, it is just steps away from Time Square so if you are a New York newbie, you are slap bang in the middle of the action. So in terms of location it’s practically perfect but it’s also a creative’s dream. Everything from the decor to the tech is designed to surprise you. Here are ten reasons why I love it.
Location, location, location. It’s nestled in the Midtown’s theatre district so you are steps away from seeing a show. It’s within a mile of Time Square, Rockafella Centre, MOMA, Grand Central Station and The Empire State Building. Perfect!
It has an incredible Italian restaurant called Serafina. Fun fact, it’s actually owned by Mel B. When you arrive in New York, you need a place to eat that’s easy but exciting as you are in an exciting city and any old place just won’t do. Serafina is actually one of the city’s hidden gems and it’s right there in your hotel. It has a buzzing atmosphere and an a-list clientelle. Oh and Pizza.
There’s fun and unexpected luxuries throughout. The rooms are small (around 400sf) but that’s bigger than your average NYC hotel room coming in at 325sf and they have everything you could ever need and more. From the quirky steel wardrobes that are completely transparent to the handy usb cables in the bedside tables, it is ideal should you need to get some work done or simply relax. There’s touches of rose gold contrasted with hints of industral brushed metal.
Italian linens, fluffy robes and contemporary bathrooms, it really has all of the home comforts.
Free wifi, a little desk with USB cords, you will have no problem staying connected here.
The mini bar. It has pringles.
The mirror that turns into a TV. I repeat, A MIRROR THAT TURNS INTO A TV. This was quite the revelation.
It has black out blinds and great soundproofing. Many people are put off staying near Time Square because of the noise but we didn’t hear a thing.
It was semi-affordable. If you are only staying a few nights in NYC, it pays to get a hotel that is well located and luxurious and at £180 per night we were happy considering what we saved getting taxis.
The clock. Obviously time is a key factor in the hotel design and the reception clock is quite something. It is made up of mini clocks and their hands rotate on the hour to spell the time. It’s genius.
Have you stayed at The New York Time Hotel?
