Royalton New York

It’s very sad to see a gorgeous hotel slipping into disrepair. This place is was super chic, and the interiors that were once the epitome of style, are bruised, torn, and sad. You can’t still see some or the Steve Rubell charm here and there but the beautiful lobby is empty. No working restaurant and a depressing empty, non-open bar. The carpet in my room was torn and stained, the mattress has more potholes than a Philadelphia expressway, and the seating looks like Rocky in Rocky 4. That said, there is still some gorgeousness leftover, the staff was helpful and prompt, and my room was clean… albeit like an addict that has gone sober.

I'm not sure what is going on at this hotel but DO NOT STAY HERE!!! The condition of the lobby should have tipped me off but we were travel weary after flight cancellations. Check in was a tiny window like you would expect at a train station! And the employee was dressed in leggings and a t-shirt. At 5:00pm the lobby was dark, dirty, empty and bar looked as though it had been closed permanently. The room was only half carpeted - the rest just concrete. One of the upholstered chairs was broken. After a few minutes we decided we were not going to sleep there and went down to ask to be refunded. They refused, even after a few later attempts to be reimbursed. $555.00 This hotel may have been used as an immigrant shelter or something - beware.

Everyone was very friendly and helpful, particularly Jeanae that helped when we checked it!

This place must have been lovely in its heyday. The long, dim, sunken lounge that traverses 43rd to 44th. The old, stuffed brown leather couches that no one has sat in since they closed the bar and restaurant during covid and haven’t re-opened. The tight, tidy, wood-paneled elevators that creak and grind on their way up and down. The ship-like corridors with rounded portal opaque room numbered windows. Now, it’s simply passé. Our room, out of the forties or fifties, looked out on a brick wall. No amenities to speak of. No coffee machine. A small fridge that didn’t work. Some strange flickering lighting. Guess you get what you pay for. Otherwise, it’s in a great location. Just between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. A couple of blocks to Bryant Park. A couple of blocks to the Theater District. Zucker’s Bagels is across from the park, as is a large Whole Foods. Macy’s, H and M, Nordstrom Rack, so shopping galore. The Algonquin is right across the street if you need a little elegance and a nice meal. The people working in the ghostly downstairs reception area were lovely and helpful. Make sure to go see Titanique! Brilliant!

This hotel is in a central and walkable location to Times Square/Broadway shows, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Plaza/Radio City Music Hall, Grand Central Station, MOMA, etc. The staff were friendly and offered great suggestions about nearby places and things to do. The guests rooms are clean and comfortable. The lobby is large with ample seating for gathering and resting before a new adventure. I will stay here again.