- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
New York Helmsley Hotel
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Midtown East
212 E 42nd Street
(between 2nd Ave & 3rd Ave)
New York, NY 10017
(212) 490-8900
212 E 42nd Street
(between 2nd Ave & 3rd Ave)
New York, NY 10017
(212) 490-8900
- Nearest Transit:
-
Grand Central (4, 5, 6, 7, S)
- Price Range:
-
$$
Sponsored Result
You Might Also Consider
Radio City Apartments
- 8 reviews
- Neighborhood:
- Theater District
"The only complaint we have about this property is that it's so popular it was fully booked the last two times we were in NYC, and we tried…" read more »
13 reviews for New York Helmsley Hotel
Surprise, surprise. I actually have something in common with the late Leona Helmsey. (Do NOT tell my friends.) I LOVED this hotel.
We never would have chosen it (sorry, Leona), but gambled on Priceline and rolled our eyes a bit when this was the result. Leona....What did we know?
The location is just fantastic, right down the street from Grand Central and a short walk from Times Square. Lots of coffee shops and take out nearby. So if you get up early in the morning, you can grab coffee and take out for breakfast.
When we checked in,we were immediately bumped up to a nicer, bigger room, even though we were Priceline customers. Very nice. The room was beautiful, totally clean and offered a beautiful view. Free Wi-Fi was a welcome presence as so many hotels charge for it.
We found the staff to be totally helpful and pleasant without exception.
After seeing some outstanding theatre, we walked home to our hotel and didn't have to deal with cabs or subways. Very nice.
Thanks, Leona. You did a good job with this one.
Rooms are huge by NYC standards. Very close to Grand Central Station, but not very close to anything else (bars, restaurants, shopping.) Basically it's a great place to stay if you don't plan on leaving the hotel or if you plan on commuting elsewhere a lot.
This is where you will end up if you come to NYC for a huge event or conference in the city and you wait too long to make your reservations. You could do worse, but you will curse yourself repeatedly and swear you won't let it happen again.
Decor is hard to describe. It's older, but not musty and frumpy. It's more bright, shiny, upscale 1970s old than dark, heavy 1920s old. It's like staying at your grandmother's Boca Raton winter condo, but if it were a hotel. It would be exactly like that if she owned a hotel and was a nasty homophobe who didn't pay taxes, went to jail, died, cut you out of her will and left her money to dogs. RIP Leona Helmsley.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (3)
I just spent the weekend in New York - omg, was this a fast, crazy weekend!! I've never been here before, and I had NO idea what to expect. We stayed at the Helmsley Hotel on 42nd street. We arrived at 6:30 in the morning, tired and hoping we could check in early. We booked our hotel through Priceline and the guy behind the counter snubbed us as if we were peasants. He told us that we could not check in till 3:00 because our pauper room was not ready. We complained that we had called earlier and spoke to someone who promised we could do an early check in - after all, we just arrived on a 5 hour flight from LA and it's 6 in the freaking morning!! The manager arrived and told that snotty guy that it's okay and to give us a premium room (which meant on the 14th floor). So he obliged and was helpful after that. Our room was very nice, and we could see the Chrysler building from our window. The windows are not double paned, so we could hear the honking of the cars below. After a few beers tho, it's hardly noticeable. We didn't eat in the restaurant because we were in NY and wanted to live like the New Yorkers do. Overall, this hotel is very nice, very convenient to sites around the city and after the morning snaffu, everything was great. Oh and the concierge recomended that we go to the Meatpacking District to party - we didn't get home until 5:00 a.m.. way to go concierge guy!!!
Oh - we played the "eye contact" game with the New Yorkers - to see how many people we could actually make come out of a bad mood and smile - or kill us.. Nobody made eye contact except one older man, and he looked quickly and looked away. Come on New York, are you that miserable? Is it really that bad?? Crack your faces and SMILE!!!
People thought this was:
- Funny (1)
This hotel is the pits!
I am sitting here, right now, sweltering while it is 60 degrees outside all because the hotel can only deliver heat OR cold air; not both. So, you, as the client, paying customer, don't get to choose your own temperature. The manager (Maria Danna) wasn't even apologetic! It is what it is. Took another 20 minutes to get a fan (a fan!) up here.
One can't open the windows more then 5 inches, so no fresh air either.
And, on a final note, if you think that this is a business hotel, think again. The "desk" is 18 inches by 36. Barely fits my Mac.
My advice... avoid this hotel unless you (1) get it at a super cheap price and/or (2) are willing to sweat in your room
As an added thing: when I checked out this morning, there were 3 other couples checking out because, in the words of a british woman who was checking it "my room is like a bloody sauna"
A very clean, surprisingly affordable hotel in the middle of Manhattan, a king-sized bed room for a weekday was only $200. Impressive. Easy access to much of the city via Grand Central Station a couple blocks away, very friendly staff, clean rooms and hallways that don't disintegrate into some half-maintained corridors that other hotels might have due to just presenting a pretty lobby.
Secure enough and in a quieter location - not too many bars around, though a small bar in the lobby area, too.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
I got a room here for pretty cheap through Priceline, when my mom was coming to visit, and I didn't want to inflict my apartment on her. The staff is very attentive, and they let me check in early, which was a plus. The room was large, with comfortable beds, and maybe not the best view, but from the 8th floor, you can't ask for too much. The location was also very convenient. There were a few cons - I found a package of gum under my bed, so the rooms didn't seem to be cleaned too thoroughly, and the walls were a little thin - I could hear/feel the doors slamming throughout the hall. Also, the hotel restaurant isn't great - we had breakfast there one morning, and it was like eating cafeteria food. Granted, I don't know how many people would actually eat in the restaurant here, when there are plenty of great restaurants in the area, but we were in a rush, and it was raining. So, Mindy's it was. In the end, it was a good stay. I'd go back, if I paid the Priceline prices, but not more.
P.S. I saw tourists wearing masks to protect themselves from the evil swine flu. The entertainment alone is reason enough to stay here.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
The lady in the gift shop called me Papi.
Then she charged me $2 for a packet of two Advil.
Como se dice, "sugar daddy?"
However, this place did afford me the opportunity to have the following text message exchange with a friend:
Him: This will shock you, but Willie Nelson's weed is outstanding.
Me: This won't shock you, but I'm looking at the Chrysler Building.
Him: On your tv?
Also, I'm currently sharing music with someone named "Fruit Salad" on their wireless network. "Fruit Salad" owns lots of Barenaked Ladies.
People thought this was:
- Useful (18)
- Funny (47)
- Cool (21)
Pretty much a perfect hotel and the best stay I've ever had in New York. The location is ideal if you opt to see a Yankees game and then a mets game as there are direct subways to either 2 blocks away at Central Station. Also, to get to JFK, you only have to walk 5 minutes up to 52nd Street/Lexington to head back home. Across the street, you can go to CVS or Duane Reade. ATM's everywhere. BofA and Citibank within a block. Central Station just 2 blocks away. Food establishments everywhere. Times Square, 15 minutes away. And Taxis everywhere that are affordable because of Helmsley's proximity to all areas of Manhattan.
Rooms were always cleaned up and the front desk are the nicest front desk people I've ever encountered in Manhattan.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
The NY Helmsley was very clean, elegant, moderately convenient to the highlights of Manhattan, provided great service and was moderately comfortable.
The NY Helmsley served as a base of operations for my first visit to NYC. It is located on E. 42nd Str between 2nd and 3rd Aves: east of the Chrysler building on the same block; just 2 blocks east of Grand Central Terminal; a moderate walk to Times Square (W 42nd and 7th Ave); 1 1/2 blocks west of the United Nations. Considering 5th Ave as a major thoroughfare to attractions, it would have been nice to be closer to 5th. However, I realize that location may be noisier with traffic. Also, NY Helmsley's location seems relatively safe compared to many other places.
The hotel lobby was elegant and always had numerous attendants to assist with anything at all. The concierge was extremely accommodating in recommending places to eat and making reservations.
The Helmsley stated they offered wireless internet access in every room although I could not connect my pda anywhere but in the lobby where the connection was very good. I did not spend any time troubleshooting or seeking assistance on my room connection.
The hotel room was clean, comfortable and well appointed and seemed comparable to a Marriott. I expected a slightly higher level of elegance but was very satisfied. The beds were very comfortable. I was surprised by the amount of exterior street noise which typically woke me up by 7:00am.
A fitness center was free to all guests and was small but well outfitted with brand new cardio machines and the primary strength training machines. It was also outfitted with 2 flat panel tvs, had a 6th floor view of outside and free bottled water.
As with any real estate, location is of utmost importance and the NY Helmsley met that that pretty well. Add to that the exceptional amenities and service and I was very happy with my stay.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Cool (2)
We booked multiple rooms for our friends, families, ourselves for our wedding.
Old fashioned, but clean and nice staff. The only problem was price - suites were rather expensive, and we were too late to get huge discount from sales office---so we just booked the twin rooms through http://hotel.com for our friends, parents and bridesmaid, best man etc. The room was huge and we paid $140 for each room---it was large enough that I could prepare everything at bridesmaid's room.
Actually the hotel people were extremely nice and helpful from the time we arrived. We really didn't tell them that we're here for wedding, but bell captain quickly noticed that (yeah, can tell from the luggage) and since then, we had lots of help and favor. They were also nice to my friends from overseas who didn't speak much English and took good care of them.
When we came back from our wedding banquet totally exhausted, they even brought us a bottle of champagne, roses and fruits with a card. So sweet! We should be back there for our anniversary.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (3)
The hotel lobby was under renovation when we stayed here, which was a tad annoying with loud noise coming in, but the rest of the hotel was very nice. We got in very early, 7:30am and they allowed us to check in early without any extra charge. Since we were leaving later as well, they allowed us to stay in our room until 2:00pm. The elevators were quick and the room was quiet with thick shades to keep out the sun.
This hotel is pretty much a dying breed of hotels. It's a classic, New York mainstay, whereas other hotels in its price point are undoubtedly national chains. Rooms are large, with perfectly crisp and clean linens. Staff is remarkably attentive in an old man social club kind of way. It feels a little frozen in time but in a good way. Lastly, free wireless. It is perfect for a convenient, weekend stay as well as for a business traveler that doesn't necessarily want to break the expense account budget at a chain. It's like opting for the really good cup of coffee at the diner versus standing in line at Starbucks where the 22 year old behind the counter is re-stating your coffee order, but annoyingly abbreviated.... (Disclosure note: I do consulting work for the hotel, but I have also chosen it as a site for my out of town wedding guests, so I am vouching for it from a personal front as well).
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (3)
3 1/2 stars. I liked this hotel but didn't love it. Really, the only hotel that I've loved in the city is the Hyatt. The staff were super friendly, check in was quick, and my room was rather large for a NYC hotel. The bathroom was the highlight of the room - very spacious and actually quite beautiful. The bed was comfortable enough but the TV was ancient - let's be honest though... who comes to NYC for the TV in their hotel room.?? Overall, I would definitely stay here again. The staff, location, and bathroom make it worth the money.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
