The hotel is located in the midtown area (in the Garment District), near Madison Square Garden/Penn Station, so it is a good location for Times Square sightseeing, and offers convenient access to various subway lines, bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The lobby area itself is not large, although it offers a few places for guests to sit and chat. The décor fits the theme of a Fashion District hotel, with spools of thread composing an interesting art piece behind the front desk, which has space for three agents to check guests in (one agent is reserved for Hhonors check-ins). A tiny concierge/tour desk is located adjacent to the front door. RARE Bar & Grill is located at one end of the lobby, where breakfast is served (complimentary for Hhonors Gold and Diamond members; however, we did not partake of breakfast). The hotel also features the RARE rooftop bar and lounge, although we did not visit that either. In the evenings, one elevator is dedicated to whisking patrons from the lobby to the 23rd floor rooftop. Two additional elevators access guestrooms on the 2nd to 22nd floors. The hotel offers valet and self-parking for an additional fee, and the garage is located just a few yards from the hotel entrance. Taxi cabs were plentiful in front of the hotel.
We had a corner room on the 22nd floor with a great view of the Empire State Building. The room was average size for New York City, with a king-size bed abutted by two nightstands, a desk/dresser/bureau combination, small ottoman/seat that could be moved around, and a shelving unit that housed the glass-fronted minibar (do not move anything or you will be charged) and coffee-making supplies, and a small closet that contained an electronic safe, iron, and ironing board. The room décor was modern and appealing, and the fashion theme (or sewing theme) carried through on some of the artwork. The bathroom was a decent size, with a combination tub/shower unit and large countertop vanity with a single sink. The light fixture is super modern and just a little dangerous, in our opinion. It is a long thin tube light that projects just a little too far from the wall for our comfort because it can be confused for a pipe. Peter Thomas Roth toiletries were provided - two kinds of soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and mouthwash, as well as Q-tips and cotton balls. Three sets of towels were provided, despite the fact that the room could really only sleep two guests. (We have found only two sets of towels in most Hilton properties that we have recently stayed, so the third set was a welcome site.) The hotel does not offer turndown service, nor does it offer vending or ice machines; however, we called down to the front desk several times to request ice delivery, and it was done quickly, complimentarily, and with a smile.
We would not hesitate to stay here again, although there are three other Hilton properties within a few blocks of this one (Doubletree, Hampton Inn, and Hilton Garden Inn), so those are valid options as well if you are loyal to Hilton.
