Manhattan is a world unto itself, so when we found out we were heading out to the island for a visit with friends, we were excited and filled with anxiety over how to schedule all the things we wanted to do in the two days we would be there. Our friends recommended my wife and I stay at the Westgate New York Grand Central Hotel, and it turned out to be a great choice because of the location and amenities. Here are a few of the basics concerning the hotel you may want to consider before you book your trip to New York City.
Location
The building is an unimposing brick, metal, and glass structure that fits into the surrounding area. Located between the Upper East Side and East Village, the hustle and bustle of New York City is not far away, but you can rest assured you will relish the uniqueness of Manhattan.
On your way to check in, you can take a cab to the hotel or do as we did and walk the two blocks from Grand Central Terminal because saving on cab fare can be a bonus. The structure is also not far from the East River and FDR Drive.
Lobby
After walking through the glass doors into the lobby, we noticed how white the tile floors are against the dark wood and modernistic lighting fixtures.
The lobby was quiet compared to other hotels we have stayed at, and the staff was friendly and efficient and got us into our room in no time. Although we weren’t in the lobby long enough to avail ourselves of the seating, there were ample chairs and couches scattered around.
Rooms
You may have heard to expect small and dark hotel rooms in New York, but what we found at Westgate New York Grand Central was surprising. First of all, the room was very clean and neatly organized. There was a writing desk near a little window, average size television, and a large bathroom. Some rooms offer balconies, but we didn’t plan on staying in our room very long during our stay, so we decided to forgo that luxury and treat ourselves to a nice dinner at one of the four-star restaurants nearby. We had to use room service the first night, and the service was surprisingly fast – and the food was delicious.
Attractions
One of the first things you may notice when you google hotels for NYC is that the Westgate New York Grand Central Hotel is in the middle of many of the must-see attractions on the island of Manhattan. We took the ferry to Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, visited the United Nations Headquarters, and paid a trip to Times Square and the famous red steps. Although we didn’t make it into the north part of island, you can also visit Broadway and Rockefeller Center – both are less than a mile away.
Amenities
We used the fitness facilities at the Westgate NYC both days of the trip and noticed immediately how clean the area was. The Tudor restaurant looked great, but we weren’t in the hotel during evening meal times, so we missed out on selecting from the menu. We used the hotel’s car service once because we were crunched for time, and the concierge was a wealth of knowledge. To my wife’s delight, there was a wedding in the reception hall on our second day there, and my wife almost invited herself to the celebration.
Pets
Pets are welcome at the Westgate New York Grand Central Hotel, but we left both of our dogs at home because we were meeting up with friends. If you have pets, you can contact the hotel for more information about pet services.
Services
Parking
Although we didn’t arrive by car because parking can be a nightmare in Manhattan, there is both a valet service and a self-parking option at Westgate NYC.
This is a first-time hotel review for us, but out stay at the Westgate New York Grand Central Hotel was so enjoyable, my wife and I agreed we had to let others know about the wonderful location and great service at the hotel. Give it a try; you won’t be disappointed – we weren’t.