It would be pretty hard to beat the Midtown location of the W New York – Times Square, but this hotel isn’t all about its, albeit totally fabulous, location! We found a hotel that is as artistic as it is funky, with friendly and very welcoming staff, great options for dining, and much bigger bedrooms than we expected. Everything you need for a New York stay right amidst the dazzling lights of Broadway.
Location
The prime location of the W New York – Times Square needs little introduction. The hotel occupies an enviable address overlooking Times Square itself on Broadway and 47th Street. Everything you need to access the rest of the city is on your doorstep, you can always jump in a cab, and a variety of subway lines lay just meters away. The popular sights of Midtown are all nearby, too; Radio City Music Hall, the Museum of Modern Art, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, Central Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the buzzing Hell’s Kitchen district.
We loved being so centrally located when we visited, yes, it’s super convenient, but we loved the atmosphere you get from being off Times Square itself too. The soundproofing in the hotel is impressive, so we weren’t disturbed and could still get a good night’s sleep but having such amazingly central city views was brilliant. We made maximum use of being able to get anything we fancied day or night, too. The best cheesecake we ate in New York is just a minute away, and you’re just spoiled for breakfast choices.
Style & Character
The W certainly doesn’t try to hide from the neon lights outside and then inside. It’s a sea of the color, light, and joy you come to expect from W Hotels. But it’s more than that, there’s a calming, respite feeling too. You are enveloped in the fabulousness of the 57-story skyscraper, and you feel safe and secure here.
When you enter the hotel, after pausing to admire the rather fun water feature, the lobby sweeps you naturally towards the elevators, and you head to the 7th floor to check in. Exit the lifts, and you’re in a huge open-plan room, as well as the reception desk area. There are lots of booths and seating, and at the opposite end of the room is the ultra-glam Lounge Room Bar – a sight you certainly don’t want to miss. The friendly doormen explain this to you as you enter the building, so there’s zero danger of getting lost! Once you’ve checked in, return for a delectable cocktail and admire the incredible 39-foot-long neon backdrop behind the bar. The hotel does an excellent job of celebrating local talent. A New York art studio created the neon masterpiece). We loved the booths themselves too. Even the area outside the restrooms doesn’t escape the W-touch, with graffiti-style murals lining the walls and continuing inside the guestrooms themselves. The fabulousness you expect with a W hotel for sure, but with a generous sprinkle of New York street energy and passion.
Rooms
There are 509 chic guest rooms at the W New York – Times Square, including 43 divine suites, all of which include flat-screen TVs, minibars – or W MixBars if you prefer (I certainly do!), desks, and rainfall showers. We were shown to our room, very politely offered a tour which we accepted, and were shown how everything worked with patience.
The rooms are generously sized for such an impressive location, with more than enough space for 4 of us in a 2 Double, Skyline view room. The hip, quirky vibe continues with a geometric carpet and brightly colored accessories, but the panoramic views are truly given center stage here. The Skyline View is definitely worth opting for. It was stunning. We had trouble tearing ourselves away. There’s always so much to look at in the Big Apple! A carefully placed window seat became my spot for tucking into the MixBar as the sun set over Manhattan; divine.
The W Signature Beds are every bit as comfortable as they are reported to be, and once we shut out the view, sleep came easily. You want to wake well rested in New York as days are usually packed with activity, and a stay here definitely meant that.
If budget allows it, the suites are excellent here, they are both vast and funky in equal measure, but a mention must be given to the epic Extreme Wow Suite with a straight-out-of-the-movies charm. It’s a celebration of color, of New York, and of modern art.
Service & Facilities
The W New York – Times Square has the usual W favorite facility: a fully-equipped fitness center. Theirs is named FIT and includes free weights and a full range of machines, as you would predict – still, it’s perhaps more than you’d expect in a location this central. The hotel is pet friendly, parking is available at a fee, and there’s fast Wi-Fi. There are also two boutiques, W The Store, which sells all the home accessories you love at a W Hotel so you can replicate the comfort and style at home; think signature bed linens, bath products, and even duvets! W Style Lab is more for souvenirs, but very sophisticated ones, clothing and accessories maybe, if you have a teen, you won’t escape alive basically!
The service really stands out at the W. It’s rare you can say that everyone you meet is enthusiastic, but that was exactly the case at the W New York – Times Square. From the very initial welcome guiding us to the lifts and explaining we needed to hit 7, we were blown away by how friendly, efficient, and welcoming all the staff were. The reception area has four check-in desks, so you rarely have to wait, but if you do, there are bell boy/ concierge staff who stand at your side of the desks, ready to take your luggage or assist with queries. This system works well as it feels like there’s always someone to help you. And they are all just so welcoming and positive. The Times Square energy really feels alive here, and it really lifted us after a journey here.
Food & Drink
As well as The Living Room Bar, the W New York – Times Square boasts two diverse but equally fabulous restaurants. Dos Caminos is a glamorous, two-story Mexican restaurant with its own Margarita Bar. Blue Fin is a classy seafood restaurant with a sushi bar and another cocktail bar (you can never have too many W cocktails!), which serves plenty of non-seafood options, too, if you’re not a fan, but the vibe appeals to you. There’s also 24-hour in-room dining and private dining available.
Conclusion
The location is definitely wow, but the facilities and the whole vibe of the W New York – Times Square really add serious substance to the hotel. This is not just a fun-filled place to stay (although, of course, it is that!). It’s somewhere you can expect excellent service, a great view, a comfortable bed, and a fabulous cocktail.
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