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Empire Hotel New York
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Nightlife Hotels, Nightlife
44 W 63rd St(between W Central Park & Broadway)
New York, NY 10023
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
(212) 265-7400
- Nearest Transit:
-
66 St - Lincoln Center (1, 2)
59 St - Columbus Circle (1, 2, A, B, C, D)
72 St (A, B, C)
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
138 reviews for Empire Hotel New York
Review Highlights
"Gorgeous hotel across from the Lincoln Center."
(in 34 reviews)
"It's situated right by Central Park, the subway, and tons..."
(in 25 reviews)
"Central Park West, rooftop bar, swanky digs."
(in 26 reviews)
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138 reviews in English
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Review from Ira P.
Washington, DC
1/29/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Pretty good place, especially for the last-minute price I paid.
Pros: nice decor, great staff (the ones I dealt with, anyway), clean rooms, comfortable beds.
Cons: my room was pretty tiny, the bathroom layout was odd (water all over when showering), window faced a ventilation shaft.
As a place to chill in the comfortable lobby/lounge and use your room to crash at night, it's great. If you're looking to hang out in your room a lot, though, I would see what else is out there. -
Review from Joanna r.
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
The location of the Empire Hotel was pretty ideal for my sister and me- we had an early-ish race in Central Park that weekend and didn't want to deal with the subway morning of the race. The hotel should get 5 stars for location (few blocks from Columbus Circle, across the street from Lincoln center) but really not blown away by hotel itself.
The lobby is chic and modern, low lighting and plush furniture. Not bad so far on first impression alone. Well, it went downhill from there. Our room was small (it's NYC so no expecting anything huge), more importantly the bathroom was less than 4 star chic. Yes, at first glance it seemed to be nice but upon further use it was totally nonsensical- the sink was an odd depth and the water didn't drain, the shower didn't have a door, and no fan. As my sister noted, it was as though the designers wanted the place to be trendy and feel expensive, but in reality the room and design was shoddily constructed and lacked substance for a four star hotel. Also, the hallway smelled of a certain controlled substance that college students like to smoke. Way to be classy, Empire Hotel.
The staff was friendly enough but I doubt I'll come back to spend a night. -
Review from josh x.
Zephyr Cove, NV
1/30/2012
some real good points to this place from the soaps to the location, but a team of bouncers stopping my wife at the lobby door at night asking what she wanted ... of course was just lovely.... the problem is the front of the hotel can get corded off at the front for a nightclub upstairs!... a place where the staff glares at you when asking for a menu even though the hotel sent you up (!)
the bouncer stepped aside when she shoved past them and said she was staying at the (damn) hotel...
but hey maybe that keeps out the riff raff -
Review from Annie G.
Middleton, WI
1/17/2012
You can't beat the location and the service.
I booked through Priceline and got the room for $110/night. When I checked in, they had upgraded me to a Superior King with a view. We were in room 720 and it was fine - not a lot of noise. Had to open the window because the room was QUITE warm.
The hotel overall is very nice - kind of a swanky place with all the zebra and leopard print. When you look more closely, there are some details that could be refined - paint, drawers with scratches, stains on curtains, etc.
The concierge was extremely helpful in finding a greasy spoon restaurant for breakfast one morning and the bell guys are courteous and helpful.
I would stay here again. -
Review from Joey R.
New York, NY
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
"Empire state of mind."
The lobby bar is the perfect spot to sneak into after a show/performance at Lincoln Center. (Or if the show sucks go here during intermission and time yourself to make it back by the end. "Oh Susie! Your performance was intoxicating!!")
Decent sized martinis and a high-end selection of spirits.
The decor is reminiscent of the 20's but with a modern translation. The lights are really dim, which allowed this drunk creepy woman to feel she could encroach on my friends and I. Luckily the cocktail waitress was super sweet and came over and asked if the creeper was bothering us. We politely said no, went and took seats in the corner and tee-hee'd for hours.
You don't have to worry about seating. They have found a way to provide tons of it without giving off the vibe of a furniture store. Great place for groups as the layout gives you a sense of privacy.
There is a roof top bar accessed via velvet rope. Ah NYC.... -
Review from Jenn W.
Washington, DC
12/16/2011
Yikes.
Let's keep it brief...
1- Noisy, clanging A/C unit all night - woke up every hour on the hour, fumbled around with the damn thing, eventually unplugged it to shut it up. Hotel staff seemed convinced that this was the sound of the elevator bell dinging down the halll... nope, this was definitely a broken A/C unit (going crazy in the middle of December!). This amounted, unfortunately, to an awful night's sleep and weariness throughout the next day.
2- Had to switch rooms because the first room we got (on the top floor) was overheating due to the steam pipes emitting crazy amounts of heat overhead on the roof; Stay away from the top floor!
3- Took a while for the hot water to come on (not a minute or two... more like 10-12 minutes) - so keep this delay in mind if you're planning to take a shower before that important breakfast business meeting.
Unimpressed and would wholeheartedly NOT recommend. -
Review from Jordan elizabeth K.
Long Island City, NY
1/1/2012
I stayed here with my boyfriend for 2 nights just for fun. We wanted to stay at a cool hotel and we loved The Empire.
We got a decent deal from Priceline, and were very happy with the room we got. It's a little small, but that's to be expected in NYC. The beds were great and the bathroom and soaps were nice.
We really liked the in-hotel restaurant, Ed's Chowderhouse. It's obviously a bit pricey, but the chowder was amazing and the lobster was good!
If you're interested in a nice, yet affordable hotel in Manhattan, I would definitely recommend this hotel. It's in a great neighborhood and is surrounded by tons of great bars and restaurants. -
Review from Christine W.
New York, NY
9/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Chic & swanky hotel, very kind staff members (and they're beautiful to look at too) and some of the best events I've ever attended. Conveniently located across from Lincoln Center, the Empire Hotel hosted some fabulous Fashion Week events packed with free giveaways, spa treatments and soo much more. I attended Ruelala, Victoria's Secret & Allure's events ... great layout, clean space, ideal location.
You're a winner, Empire ... that you are. -
Review from Lora B.
9/8/2011
Worst hotel I've ever stayed at in New York. Service is lacking, prices are high and the room is the pits. The only redeeming factor is that it was convenient to an event that we were attending.
All New York city hotel rooms are small...we get it. But none are as small as these. Couldn't even open a suitcase and the closet held one day worth of clothing for a couple. Too bad we were there for three.I looked from my broom closet into a brick wall for $340/night. These are smaller than the 'Small' room at the Ace by quite a bit. My room service oatmeal showed up cold, without milk or water or the listed mixers for a mere $20.
Can't believe for the price we didn't stay at the Standard, Ace, Soho Grand or shoot, even the Times Square Westin that I got off Priceline one time. -
Review from Maggie M.
Chicago, IL
10/3/2011
Honestly I expected more. I mean come on...the Kardashians stay here!
Small rooms, and incredbily pricey- BUT the rooftop is awesome and the bed was super comfy- location is good as well.
But still- not worth the $$$. -
Review from Joanna T.
Chicago, IL
11/20/2011
I really liked it. Got a deal for those guys from Hotwire, so I'm not counting in price as a factor here. I got the place for cheaper than I got a shoddy, ran-down "3 star" hotel in Times Square so I was satisfied beyond limits with the value, and so was my mom.
I don't get people's complaints about room sizes, unless there were some smaller rooms somewhere there. Mine had 2 queen beds in there and there was still plenty of room to get around. Sure, you could not dance a tango in it, but I've had smaller rooms before. The bathroom was nice, a bit on the small side but again, I did not need to dance in it, it was enough for the purposes it was designed for. I would agree with the difficult shower opinions though- the lever and the second shower head are not really necessary but it's not like the experience made me cry.
We tried to do an early check-in, just so we could unload some of the stuff we carried in our purses but there were no non-smoking rooms available yet (they offered to take in out luggage though but we had none). I asked if we could get two separate beds (I know that Hotwire bookings are usually single bed and hotels are not always happy to give you two beds), the lady at the desk said that they usually charge for an upgrade like this but they will not charge me this time, so all was good. We got a room on the third floor with a view on the statue outside, and we could also see some of the Philharmonic building as well. It was a bit noisy in the street, but hey, it's New York and I didn't even pay full price- I'll deal with that. It wasn't even that bad, it's not like it prevented us from sleeping.
I liked the L'Occitane amenities, the mini-bar was fine (mom just had a Snickers, we didn't go on a drinking rampage)- the mini-bar prices were not the worst, I've seen more expensive ones.
Overall, the place was clean, the staff was nice, and they took care of everything they were asked for. They hooked us up with a reasonably-priced cab to the airport, offered wake-up calls, and just made us feel welcome, even tough we booked through Hotwire, which makes some hotels treat you like lepers. The next time I'm in New York, I'll probably book them, even if it's full-price. -
Review from Kristen e.
Seattle, WA
8/3/2011
The lush velvet decor will hide you for a secret rendezvous, or frame your photo ready best side, whichever you wish.
The bar will serve the drink you thought you ordered, only better.
The rooms will provide rest and respite from the hustle and bustle below. They are small, comfortable and appointed with high end amenities. I blame them for my current L'Occitane addiction.When I was there I wrote a paper from the bed while watching it snow.
The location will entertain and dazzle you. Walk out the door and let the red soles of your Louboutins sashay across the street to The Met, Lincoln Center, and Juilliard. Or, turn the other direction and stroll through Central Park. (Well, I wore pink Hunters and I'll use the excuse that it was snowing - but between you and I, my stylish confidante, I felt like I COULD own Louboutins in that moment.)
At the end of your day of work or play, return to the bar, rest those weary toes, or show off their newest acquisition. Be embraced by the seductive setting and choose your next adventure. -
Review from Samantha F.
Dover, NH
8/22/2011
The Empire Hotel was exactly what we needed for our 2 night stay in the city. I found a deal on Travelzoo for only $179/night. Great location - walking distance to Times Square, Madison Ave, and Grand Central. Steps away from Lincoln Center, Central Park, the Subway, and the delicious Shake Shack.
The golden, black, and amber lobby/bar are the perfect backdrops for a date or girls night.
Only things that were sub-stellar were the views out our hotel room, and the bathroom size & design.
Unfortunately the rooftop pool & deck were closed during our stay due to weather. We sure put the complimentary room umbrella to use! We could have taken it home for a mere $45.
If you find a Travelzoo deal for this hotel - definitely book it. I would gladly stay here again! -
Review from cc h.
Philadelphia, PA
12/28/2011 2 photos
The hotel's location is great and the shower gel/shampoo they offered was an excellent brand - L'Occiante. However, I have to say that I have never had such a BAD experience with a hotel that I feel I had to post the reviews just so other people do not suffer what we had been through.
The hotel itself has lots of problems!! I have stayed all kinds of hotels ranging from 2 stars (ex: Hyannis Holiday Motel in cape cod) to 5 stars (ex: Ritz Carlton in West Palm Beach) and never had a real problem with any except this time.
CONS:
1) The hairdryer was extremely dirty and full of dust (please see attached photo) like it has been used for ten years. I was scared to use it until I asked for a replacement the second day.
2) The water in the sink does NOT go down to the drain easily (please see attached photo). It's very hard to wash your hands without touching the dirty water in the sink.
3) The flush of the toilet does NOT work with normal uses (please see attached photo). The hotel did not let us change to a new room; the front desk wanted to send over the maintenance people over, and we did not really feel like waiting for it to be fixed as it's past midnight. They then told us that we could use the public restroom downstairs if we would like to. When I asked the front desk to speak to the manager, they sent over the maintenance guy over without calling me back about what he found out from the manager; instead he sent over the maintenance people and offered us to use the bathroom next door.
4) There was no electrical outlets in the room itself for us to use. There were 6 in total in the room; 2 were used for bed side lighting, 1 was used for radio kind alarm clock, 1 was used for the desk light, and 1 was behind the mirror which was fixed on the wall so we could not reach plus it wouldn't fit for an iphone charger anyway, and we only got 1 outlet left to charge one of our phones and we had to use the bathroom to charge another.
5) Room and restroom were very tiny. I am 5"2' and 100 lbs, and I did not fell that I have enough legroom when I sit on the toilet.
6) They ran out of complimentary toothpaste for two days straight; we were told to buy it from their mini bar. I understand that getting shipment during the holidays is impossible, and they should really planned ahead instead of telling their guests that there's nothing they could do about. We were not willing to buy it from the minibar and unable to find an opened duane reade, so we literally walked over to the Mandarin Oriental hotel (a five star hotel 1 min away) and asked for help! The doorman on the 1st floor and the front desk on the 35th floor were both super friendly and willing to help us. When we talked about not able to get the complimentary tooth paste from our own hotel, their front desk was amazed and asked which hotel we are staying at. We felt so welcomed and we ended up staying at their lobby lounge and enjoyed a drink.
7) Housekeeping did make our bed very neat; however, they didn't not put a new set of shampoo, shower gel, and etc. How are two people supposed to survive with just one travel size set of shampoo and shower for more than 1 day. Are we really supposed to make phone calls to make all the requests what we need them to do?
7) Doormen were like useless, they did not open the doors for their guests and treated us like invisible. They are nothing close to the people from other hotels.
8) The concierge guy was extremely nice; but the information he gave us was incorrect. I didn't take this personal but we really have no more patient with any type of mistake after all we have experienced for two days.
When we checked out, we were asked about our experience of stay by the front desk, and I told him straight of all I have experienced and it didn't seem to me that he would like to make it up or anything. I really have no idea how this place is a 4 star hotel. I am speechless. -
Review from Scott E.
Tarzana, CA
9/19/2011
Yet another Manhattan hotel hoping to show off a chic lobby in hopes you'll forget the rest.
The lobby isn't chic, it's bland, the staff is mixed at best (the two guys working the desk when I got off the red-eye shouldn't be in the service business, period), and the rooms are the most pathetic excuse for a hotel room I have ever seen. To give that perspective I've stayed in high and low class hotels all over the world, and youth hostels generally have more space than this W Hotel wannabe.
I was booked in here by an event so it wasn't my choice, but this is one TO AVOID AT ALL COSTS. They charge normal NYC rates for rooms that other NY hotels snicker at.
The Westin, Hudson, W, Essex all have better, and often substantially cheaper, options...avail yourself of them. -
Review from Elliot B.
Manhattan, NY
7/4/2011
Went to the hotel for a night for a quick getaway expecting a relaxing day. Lobby is beautiful and rooms are nice although not well maintained. Pool area was a big disappointment. The pool photos on the hotel website are deceptive. The pool is in fact a blue 4 ft wide tub with a dolphin border. It could be nice even with the small size but needs to be renovated.
Most importantly, the pool area is filled with screaming toddlers. It is not at all relaxing for adults and I didn't come here looking for a Disney-style family friendly spot. Nothing like the world of Chuck Bass. -
Review from Matthew M.
Lewis Center, OH
1/1/2012
Stayed over New Years Eve weekend. When we arrived, my wife and I waited for over an hour for our room to " be ready." When our room was avail it felt as though it were around 80 -85 degrees due to faulty heating/ cooling unit. View blew which was nothing but industrial, and bathroom has no shower door, no washcloths and no vent. ( hence the reason for water damage in the ceiling) However on a good note, when I complained, they sent someone to fix it promptly! Alcohol is expensive, service is slow and overall rooms are in need of some updating with construction. Front desk, bartender, and bell hops very polite and helpful. I would probably recommend due to pricing compared with others. Very convenient location!
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Review from Sarah H.
McLean, VA
8/16/2011
Love the location of the hotel. Love the decor. Love the upgrade to the junior suite. Love the Rooftop Pool.
Disliked the temperature of the water in the pool. Disliked the awful Valet Parking. (The Bellman left a bag of mine in the trunk after I told him everything needed to go up to the room...The front desk told me they'd charge me twice if they brought the car out or the front desk told me I could walk 5 blocks to go get my bag)
The front desk needs a better attitude, well actually I only had a problem with one. The Hotel needs to make sure that the Valet company they hire represents the rest of the hotel. -
Review from Julie B.
Chicago, IL
6/29/2011
We stayed at the Empire Hotel for for a friend's wedding and were quite happy with the accomodations. Normally, the rooms are very expensive and tiny for the price however, for us, we were pleased with the pricing for the event.
Great location, nice amenities, bed, desk, no real closet area but hey, your in NYC - who has a closet? Apparently there is an amazing rooftop bar however, spent the evening out and the bar had closed down by the time we had gotten back to the hotel.... -
Review from leelee b.
Brooklyn, NY
11/10/2011
I won't stay here again. For the price of a room with a view at The Standard or Gansevoort, I had a 2nd floor room with a view of an airshaft. Saw a small roach in the bathroom. No bathtub, which I guess is just as well, given the roach issue. Dresser drawers wouldn't stay closed. Loud air conditioner. Plus, weirdly, this hotel still has smoking floors.
Rooms are small too, but you can't really ding hotel rooms in NY at this price range for that.
To be fair, I didn't complain to management about these issues, until I checked out. Maybe they would have done something to try to make it up to me. But honestly, had they offered me a free stay next time, I wouldn't have taken it. -
Review from NirvAnna M.
San Francisco, CA
6/4/2011 4 Check-ins Here
It was fine. It's a comfortable and stylish hotel, except that I think it has seen better days. Lots of nicks in the furniture, which I have never seen in any hotel I have ever stayed in (and I have stayed in alot) so I think they are due for a remodel. I've experienced WAY BETTER, higher polished 4 star hotels than this so this is probably the least of my favorites, but I wouldn't go as far as giving it 2 stars.
There is definitely difficulty with the hot water in the shower, which takes a bit figuring out, as another yelper pointed out in her review. Maybe we got the same room? who knows! -
Review from Diana T.
Westminster, CA
2/1/2011 7 photos
Amazing.
A big thank you to my gracious boyfriend for allowing me to pick the hotel we were going to stay at for our first trip to New York. I can't say enough about this hotel. Check-in was easy and they treated my boyfriend and I like ADULTS and not young children. Concierge was friendly and there were free juicy, red apples in the lobby every day which we thoroughly enjoyed!
We got upgraded to a corner suite on the 8th floor and it was a GORGEOUS view of Lincoln Center. It even snowed the first night we got there so the view was just impeccable I was so grateful we got the corner suite even though we checked in late because of our flight! The bed was comfortable and I actually liked the shower and really didn't mind the missing door. Just as everyone else had said all you have to do is place a towel on the floor and voila! Problem solved. It also helps that house keeping is very consistent and changed that wet towel every morning for us. They even called to make sure what a better time was to come back because we slept in and left the do not disturb sign on the door. Every part of the service was amazing and the hotel overall was just beautiful in my taste. It was pricey but with everything the hotel came along with I felt the price was worth it.
Last but not least... to a Gossip Girl fan it was a dream come true and not an inconvenience at all.... THEY WERE FILMING IN THE LOBBY! I was disappointed we didn't see any of the stars the first day we got there... but on the last day of filming as we were getting ready to leave for dinner. WE WALKED RIGHT PAST PENN BADGLEY AND BLAKE LIVELY! Also known as Dan and Serena on Gossip Girl. That compeletely made my trip and and topped off my stay at the Empire Hotel. -
Review from Eperdemicc H.
Brooklyn, NY
6/24/2011
I stayed at EMPIRE HOTEL from FEB 23-26th 2011
********THIS IS BY FAR NOT A 5 STAR MATERIAL HOTEL.***************
1) Bathroom wasn't clean. I found a Bobby Pin on the floor also.
2) The HEATER near the bed had EXPOSED LIVE ELECTRIC WIRE HANGING LOOSE.
3) I ordered for an IRON AT 10PM AND RECEIVED it LITERALLY 12 hours later.
4) Half of a shower door that they some home made to short and wets the whole floor, With out you evan getting in it.
5)Secutrity Guards for there little roof top trash club are RACIST to the tenth power, they did not let one minority up to the room. And they state on there website that the hotel roof club is for guests staying at the hotel...smh the white guests only they forgot to add....the guards were evan upset that we stayed there, everytime we came in they thought we wasnt allowed. I had to ice grill one and let him know im staying here so stop getting in my face. He did't want to see Brooklyn style anyways...Losers
all employees there look like they hate there life..smh (Get another job then!)
I called the front DESK to tell them what was going on and the lady that answered kept rushing me while I was trying to explain what is going on in my room, then rudely transfered my call while I was in the middle of speaking to there night manager ( Wednesday 23rd the FIRST DAY I got there). manager says " he will send up a tech to look at it and THAT WAS IT! He never addressed the dirty bathroom and the rude person I spoke to prior to him. So I WAS FORCED TO STAY WITH A DIRTY BATHROOM!
The Tech cam upstairs and pulled the panel off and just stuffed the LIVE WIRE BACK IN THERE WITH OUT SECURING THE LIVE WIRE PROPERLY FOR SAFETY!
AND IF NEEDED I HAVE THE PICTURES TO PROVE IT!
Do yourself a favor and stay at a REAL 5 STAR! -
Review from Mel L.
9/8/2011
I'm a Gossip Girl geek and since we were only in town for one night, I wanted to check this place out. Plus they had a great breakfast deal too and since it was just after Fashion Week, everywhere was rediculously expensive. We had three people and the hotel didn't charge us for our extra person and gave us the extra breakfast coupon too. The room was a bit small, but really cool looking. The shower had no door... Not sure if that serves a special function but it was... Um, interesting. The bathrooms are tiny; if you've ever been in a ship bathroom, that's roughly the size you're looking at. The front desk staff was AMAZING and helpful and when our A/C was acting up, they sent someone IMMEDIATELY. The beds were comfortable and the location is just fantastic. If I had the $$$, I'd stay here again.
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Review from Marie F.
New York, NY
9/20/2011
I LOVE THIS HOTEL. The staff is simply wonderful...from the security, to the front desk, even in the kitchen! I came here for an event and this is now my place to stay every time I visit NYC! It's right next to Lincon Center, Columbus Circle , and a nice (but pricey!) Mall. I saw Betsey Johnson here, a few basketball players, a celeb stylists --so just know this is def. a popular hotel for events and celebs. The Empire Hotel just a nice place to relieve some stress--the lobby is awesome to chill after work and I heard the rooftop is even better! The front desk rep. named "Helena" is the BEST!
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Review from Kris P.
Frisco, TX
9/22/2011
I enjoyed my stay at Empire Hotel. My corner king room on the 4th floor was very comfortable, clean and roomy enough. Plenty of towels and nice bedding. The area felt safe and the staff I encountered were nice, bellmen moreso than the front desk. Good bed, roomy shower, fridge. A little noisy but heck it's New York. It's not the biggest room, it's an old building like everything in New York. My complaints are mostly petty, like lack of ironing board and iron. Closet rack pretty high for a short girl like me. And the hallway smelled bad. Apparently there was smoking somewhere on the floor. I would definitely return here and recommend it to others.
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Review from Karen S.
Denver, CO
1/2/2011
I booked a room through Priceline and ended up with the Empire for December 28-31. Before we checked in, I called and asked if we could request a king bed, a room with a view, and a room away from the elevator. When we checked in, there was no note of my request. I was told to get a king would be an additional charge (I guess when going through Priceline it's automatically a queen) and there were no queen rooms with a view. They were able to put us away from the elevator.
The room was tiny, smallest room I've ever been in. Both of us could not walk around the bed at the same time. There was just enough room for one person to walk around the bed, and with a desk and 2 nightstands, there was no additional room. The only place to sit was on the bed. There was a tiny closet bar behind the door, as well as a safe and a fridge overflowing with alcohol. We had to remove some of the booze to store our leftovers. Our view was of the other side of the hotel - it was very close and we looked right into the other rooms.
The bathroom was also tiny, and the worst part was the shower. It only had half of a glass shower door (I assume it was supposed to look European with the half glass and removeable hand shower). But since half of the shower was open, water went everywhere. The bathroom looked worn and needed some paint and some updates.
The free WiFi didn't work. I even spent 30 minutes on the phone with their tech support trying to get it to work, after which I was told they didn't know why it wasn't working and suggested I just go to the business center. When I went to the business center to get online, I found out it was a pay-per-minute internet connection. I went to talk to the Concierge to explain the situation - the WiFi did not work and could they comp the internet charge in the business center. I was told no, that it was administered by a third-party and they couldn't waive it. At that point, I think they should have offered to pay for it if they couldn't waive it, but they didn't and I was tired of dealing with them.
In my only other dealing with the Concierge, I asked about seeing a show when we checked in. I asked them about using TKTS to get half price tickets and was incorrectly told there was no way we could get tickets during the holiday week through TKTS. This was a blatant lie, as they obviously wanted to scare us into going through them. We had no touble getting tickets through TKTS, and I recommend using them always for cheaper broadway tickets.
Overall, I wasn't at all impressed with the Empire, but when doing Priceline's Name Your Own Price, you don't have much choice. It was cheaper than anything else I saw online, and we didn't spend much time in the room or I would have been more bothered by it. So stay at your own risk. -
Review from Mel D.
Quincy, MA
6/3/2011
Stayed here for 4 nights while attending a conference. Although, the room is a shade on the small side, I've stayed in similar smaller, more run-down hotels that were more expensive. Empire is clean, has friendly staff and is in a great location!
The only drawback was difficulty with figuring out how to get hot water in the shower. It works with some patience, though. -
Review from Frank G.
3/7/2011
I wanted to give this place four stars -- clean rooms, comfortable beds, free wi-fi, friendly staff, and excellent location. Grabbing a good price from Hotwire made me even happier, but the plumbing problems we encountered cost the Empire Hotel a star.
We were in a standard room the first night, and noticed there was no hot water in both the sink and the shower. The front desk told us the boiler was being repaired, and it would be restored in 30 minutes. As long as it was on by the next morning, I didn't care... of course, it wasn't. So we took cold showers the next morning.
To their credit, the staff was very accommodating and upgraded us to a huge corner suite for our second night. While we did have hot water in the new room, we also had an already clogged toilet that leaked a bit from the back. I don't know what the previous guest did to that thing, but it must have been epic. It sort-of worked enough for our purposes, so we just let it ride for the night and informed the front desk when we checked out the next morning. We were both too tired to deal with anyone coming up to repair it that night.
I'm not a terribly fussy hotel guest, but for a weekend getaway, two plumbing problems in two different rooms on two different nights was just annoying. I wanted to spend my time enjoying New York, not switching rooms and making maintenance calls. All the other components of having a really nice hotel are there -- just hire a good plumber! -
Review from Jim L.
10/16/2010
After my first stay at the Empire, I could not bring myself to write a review. I was food poisoned en route to New York and spent my business stay crouched over in bed, turning my stomach wrong side out, and running a fever that would boil Long Island Sound.
Now that I have had a stay at the Empire that involves no illness and a (typically) clear head, I can say that I really do like this property. In the heart of the mid-west 60s (always a good spot), sits this consistent, hip, trendy, comfortable hotel. I stay at lots of properties in Manhattan, and I am always pleased that the Empire is unlike your typical hotel. Anything with zebra or leopard print is A-ok with me, so Empire Hotel, you had me at "Animal print."
I received exceptional service from the front desk and from shipping. They were happy to at least try to get the printer unjammed in the business center. And when that did not work, the desk clerk just made my copies for me. How un-New York.
My only criticism is that the shower (while stylish) is tricky to work with. I always forget that you need to slide the thingy over to get the water to work. Too many steps. -
Review from Kevin M.
Boston, MA
3/3/2011
I recently stayed here for a work conference - and it was so good!
I got upgraded to a room with a better view - overlooking Lincoln Center.
The bed was comfortable, the bathroom beautiful and stocked with L'Occitane products. There was an Ipod dock in the room and a cute little desk area. The ONLY down side is that there was no iron in the room, which is crucial when traveling for work.
The service was stellar -- everyone I encountered - from the doormen, the front desk personnel, security, housekeeping, hosts, bartenders.. there was a great consistency with their people skills. I felt appreciated and welcomed.
This place is also very easy to find - quick cab ride to Penn Station or you can take the subway. On a nice day, there is a great walk through Columbus Circle towards Central Park West -
And talk about convenience -- there is a Starbucks literally right outside the front door of the hotel! My kind of place.
Loved it... -
Review from Calli C.
11/1/2010
Disclaimer: This is for the hotel bar only, I have not stayed at the hotel. I'm sure it's very nice. That being said...
I had low expectations, this being a free drink from OvertimeNY at a hotel bar, but still. The bartender would've been pretty if she hadn't had a stupid look on her face, which didn't change when I asked what kind of drink our free drink qualified for. With no response (and we were the only three people at the bar at this time), I asked, "Can you make a Moscow Mule?" The pretty fool responded, "....Uh what?" The other bartender started chuckling to himself. Clearly, the hotel thought they could make money on looks rather than actual bartending skill. Eventually I determined that the free drink was a well drink, so I had a vodka and grapefruit. Upon asking another waitress was the average cost of a well drink was, she said around $12. We enjoyed the nice view and our free drinks and left as quickly as possible. -
Review from Izelhaze H.
Fremont, CA
8/29/2011
Booked this hotel through Travelzoo with a great deal for a standard queen room. When we walked in, I noticed it to be a very chic, elegant hotel. I was very impressed. We arrived with no wait to get checked in. The receptionist was really nice and it probably took only 5 minutes to check in. We were placed on 11th floor and when I walked into the room it was as small as what the reviews said. I shouldn't have been surprised but my goodness it was way too tiny for 2 people in my opinion. The bathroom was tiny as well!
We had a problem with the safe and it would not open after entering our passcode. My bf called downstairs and they sent security to figure it out. He came up and reset the safe and he left. We tried to input the code multiple times and the safe failed again and again and we called the front desk to send security over again. Security couldn't figure it out and my bf called the front desk and they told us that they could offer us a safe deposit box to store our valuables. My bf and I agreed to doing that but realized that it was a hassle to do this. We told them that it was inconvenient to have to store our valuables in their safe deposit box every single time we left the hotel and asked if they can either figure out what was wrong with the safe and fix it immediately or give us a room with a working safe. After spending one night in our queen room, Empire Hotel kindly gave us a new room the next day and even better, upgraded our standard queen to a king room with a great view of the city for free! I was much happier in the king room, especially since it was a lot roomier and had an awesome view. I can't complain.
To top off our stay, the maid had given us plenty of L'Occitane toiletries that I gladly took home. L'Occitane products now remind me of my stay in New York and makes me want to go back again!
I would probably stay here again, but only if I had a Travelzoo deal since it's really expensive!
Oh yeah, not that it matters but Kim Kardashian stayed in this hotel with her little sister. Just a little FYI since I saw it on an episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians haha!
Tips:
-I highly recommend getting a king room. The standard queen is way too small for 2 people.
-Try to find a deal on Travelzoo. We booked the hotel for $189/night. -
Review from Pinky and the B.
New York, NY
5/27/2011
I have a long history with the Empire hotel. First of all I do not understand the complaints about small rooms. I have been in most of the hotels in NYC due to having been a hotel baby sitter. The rooms here are not even in the top 10 smallest rooms in the city so the people doing these reviews are not comparing them to other city hotel rooms.
I have put up friends here over the year because of being able to score deals and also the location. Everyone I put up here loved it and loved the neighborhood especially.
We recently stayed here due to an on going night mare renovation at our apartment. I even stayed here years ago when the old Steve's Ice Cream when still around! (if you never got to try it , you don't know what you missed!) It puts Shake Shack to serious shame! I never went to the roof top bar! We just never have time when we are here.
Anyway back to the hotel. The Empire used to have a diner in the lobby and they had the best cheese cake. Even to the point where someone I put up in the hotel ordered a bunch of cheese cake and stored it in a deep freezer that they used for hunting usually. ( I am not a hunter my guest is)
The diner is now gone. In general I don't eat at hotels unless I have to (nothing else is open or on an expense account) Especially in NYC a food blessed city.
I never had an issue with service. I don't like people in my face and don't like to be ignored either! The balance is good here!
My husband who is seriously choosy about beds says the bed was good. I can sleep anywhere as long as it is clean really so I did not notice the bed one way or the other. It fits our purposes of just sleeping.
You would be hard pressed to find this amount of amenities at any NYC hotel for the price! I am a New Yorker and know the city's hotels well so I know what I am talking about. It is not a luxury hotel or anything like that but it is a good value for a decent hotel.Listed in: Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn
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Review from Mark H.
Mechanicsburg, PA
Updated - 9/23/2010 1 photo
In a nutshell, the review written by Nick M. is in sync with my experience. My wife and I just returned from a two night stay. The front desk staff was efficient and friendly. The bellhop was a regular, nice guy.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION... Our plans included catching a show (South Pacific) at Lincoln Center, spending time in Central Park (one block east), and walking down 5th Ave to see St Patrick's Cathedral and the view from Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center). So the location was perfect for us. We did take a cab from about 50th and 7th Ave. It cost us $6.70 plus tip at around 9:00 PM.
Note: We felt very safe walking from the Vivian Beaumont Theater (far side of Lincoln Center) back to the hotel, even after 11PM following the show.
Regarding the showers, we had no problem at all. Simply angle the shower head just slightly away from the opening and use the neatly rolled up floor towel to cover the floor just outside the shower. It was a non issue. Oh, the all-important switch that controls the hand-held wand vs. the ceiling-mounted shower head is right below the handle that controls the water flow. If you are not getting water after turning the handle, move the switch lever to the other side.
As others have mentioned, the only real bummer was the force required to close the room's door. It creates a serious thump and, yes, you will hear your neighbor's door when it shuts.
We left the air conditioning on high and it kept the room just right during 90+ degree (F) days. We noticed that it got a little warm if we had the blackout curtain completely closed. (When closed, the curtain enveloped the A/C unit. The up/down privacy screen was all we needed, so this was a non-issue for us.)
We checked out the rooftop shortly after check-in and took in the view looking up Broadway and Columbus. Very nice. Yes, the picture of the pool on the website is deceiving. From memory, I estimate it was only 6 feet wide and 20 feet long. No swimming here. This pool is for lounging. We didn't even pack our suits, so we didn't care. We came for the city, not to go swimming.
Valet was on-time (they ask that you call 15-20 minutes before you need your vehicle).
My wife enjoyed the spa (very accomodating, though there is some remodeling going on in the hallway from the elevator to the spa right now. "Is this the right floor?" was her first thought. Turn left and follow the hallway.) She loved the special pedicure options after all the walking we did! Pricey, but good. She also appreciated the Starbucks on the corner.
Bottom line, would we return? Yes, especially if our plans were in upper midtown or the upper west side.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/25/2010
In a nutshell, the review written by Nick M. is in sync with my experience. My wife and I just… Read more »
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Review from Gabriel C.
New York, NY
4/11/2011
*This review is about the rooftop bar, not the hotel.
The place has looks great, I would say hit this place when the weather warms up. As for the drinks selection its not bad, my only complaint is that everything is price pretty high. -
Review from Jim V.
Manhattan, NY
4/5/2011
My parents recently visited NYC and they stayed at the Empire Hotel.
The lobby has oddly sized chairs that are difficult to sit in. They play loud Muzak in the waiting area. Its just awful. The staff is oddly indifferent to this experience. The bar tender was nice and the staff at the restaurant were friendly.
The rooms are "nice," but foolish. The bathroom features a huge exposed steel I-beam, based on where it was and the fact that fire proofing is normally required it seemed to be there for aesthetic reasons. I'm glad my dad didn't walk into it in the middle of the night on his way to the bathroom. Its absurd aesthetically and dangerous practically.
Among the things they sold in the rooms was a container that included condoms and a vibrator. That gave us all a good laugh. So this was a plus point.
Breakfast was overpriced at $28 for steak and eggs and everything else coming in at $19. $6 = half grapefruit and $7 bagel and cream cheese.
The place is dark and the decor is ugly. I would avoid this hotel if possible, because there are better deals out there. If you absolutely have to stay here because there is nothing else available. Don't. Check again. -
Review from isabel d.
Huntington Beach, CA
8/22/2011
I bid on Priceline for a hotel in NY, and was given the Empire. I was very hesitant with my stay here because the reviews are so mixed. I was traveling with my elder parents, and worried about the noise issue. I asked for a roll-away bed, but it is not available at this hotel. Therefore, I ended up paying an extra $50 for an upgrade to a room with 2 beds, since bidding on Priceline only gives you a standard room with just 1 bed. Like a previous reviewer mentioned, no free upgrades here!
We arrived late on Friday evening, so there was a line of young adults apparently there to go to some nightclub. The lobby was playing loud music, but I asked for a quiet room, and they gave us one on the 3rd floor that faced Broadway. While the view wasn't great, it was definitely quiet. Unless a group of rowdy people passed through the hallway, we were undisturbed from the noise level. We could hear the sound of the garbage trucks and traffic, but it wasn't anything that was unmanageable.
I am grateful I paid for the upgrade, because as small as the room is with 2 beds, I can't imagine fitting 3 people in their standard sized rooms. Still, our room was adequate and not as bad as I expected. The bathroom is only big enough for 1 person and very tight. The shower has one of those removable, hand-held shower heads, which makes it very difficult not to splash water on the floor (with the lack of a shower door). However, on my second day, I discovered that there was a shower head on the ceiling, which greatly helps with the splashing problem. There is a lever underneath the shower knob which switches it from the handheld shower head to the ceiling showerhead. If you fail to look up, you might miss it. Knowing about that little lever was very useful.
The room had a safe in the closet, and a small fridge. The bed was comfortable. The room overall was adequate. My stay was better than I thought, but this is only because I had such low expectations. I've stayed at better hotels, but my parents liked it. It was enough for what we needed, which was a place to sleep in a safe, decent area. Don't expect a luxurious, resort-like stay at the Empire.
The best convenience is that it is so close to the subway. The station is right across the street. It goes straight into Times Square, and straight down to Battery Park (for the Statue of Liberty ferry) without having to change trains. The line also stops at Grand Central station and Penn Station, so it makes public transit a little easier if you're not familiar with the area. -
Review from Andrew G.
Union, NJ
1/17/2011
Recently stayed at the Empire upon visiting NY for the weekend -- the place had gotten really good reviews from some friends of friends, so we (my girlfriend + I) figured we'd give it a shot...
The biggest complaint I have is the room size. Extremely SMALL. For the price being charged for staying here, you'd think the real estate would be a BIT bigger. Inside the rooms, the heat is UNBEARABLE! We called front desk, and they instructed us to "turn it off," which we did, and even so, it was horribly muggy inside. Bed was comfortable, bathroom was also kind of small.
Hotel help wasn't top-quality -- the people were just OK; nothing out of the ordinary (which is something that boosts hotels from OK to GOOD).
Overall, it was an ALRIGHT experience. Heat is an issue, as is room size. -
Review from Vicky L.
6/14/2010
I recommended this rooftop bar to my friends after I'd heard about it through another friend that it was a cool and happening place.
However, after standing in line for 20 min, and then being rudely told to clear the sidewalk, I don't think I will ever come back again.
I don't care how cool it is, a bouncer should have the grace to tell us to our face that maybe we can't get in because we aren't on a guestlist, and not tell us to clear the sidewalk after telling us to stand in line for 20 minutes. We are people, and we should be treated like that!
I will never come back to Empire Hotel again.
It may be hip, happening, and luxurious, but this is proof that money cannot buy you class.
