Translation from English

Sunday, July 28, 2013

New York Palace Hotel Undergoes Restoration

The New York Palace is the place they built on air rights above the classic Renaissance Courtyard in Midtown where Random House publishers and some other classy places used to have their offices (the hotel that towers above it is not an architectural gem, by the way).

They are doing a full restoration of this place that once I believe was Harry Helmsley's ( whose widow, Leona, was the hotel magnate who said that "only the little people pay taxes" on National television and so invited the wrath of the IRS....

Let's just see what they reviews for this place are like now...I imagine some people do not feel it is worth all the money it takes to stay here... (tomorrow, I am going to do a piece on "budget" and medium price hotels in NYC, especially Manhattan)....

Oh yes, I omitted the rant of one person who said this was the worst hotel he had ever stayed in in his life... but you have to know at least one person felt that way

The New York Palace Hotel

4.0 star rating
117 reviews Rating Details
Category: Hotels  [Edit]
455 Madison Ave
(between 51st St & 50th St)
New York, NY 10022
Neighborhood: Midtown East
(212) 888-7000
Nearest Transit Station:
5 Av/53 St (E, M)
51 St (4, 6, 6X)
47 - 50 Sts - Rockefeller Ctr (B, D, F, M)
Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 5:30 am
Price Range:
$$$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Wi-Fi:
Paid

Review Highlights   What's this?

  • "Patrick's Cathedral (must see inside as well." In 16 reviews
  • "Patrick's and a few blocks from Rockefeller Center and Time Square." In 13 reviews
  • "Rooms are large & beautiful & modern (a rare combo in NYC." In 31 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
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117 reviews in English

  • Review from

    • 3 friends
    • 28 reviews
    1/17/2013 2 photos
    A classic New York Stay!

    Being the first time we've ever been to New York and wanting to make sure it was the most memorable trip ever, we spent a lot of time finding the perfect place to stay. Thankfully we came across the New York Palace and could not fault anything about it. Even entering the elegant reception at 4am was still an amazing first experience and the staff were more than helpful.

    The rooms are very spacious and look very modern but still with that classic touch. The position is perfect being in Midtown just a couple of blocks from the Rockefeller Centre and just a few more from Times Square. Then just a few blocks south you have Grand Central station and on the northside all of the top designer stores.

    Couldn't ask for anywhere else more perfect for our first stay in NYC and we know we'll be back!
  • Review from

    • 16 friends
    • 106 reviews
    7/21/2013
    I stayed at the palace before and I was blown away by how lavish the entrance was ,  the opulence of the rooms and the friendliness of the staff. My last trip I would have given the hotel 4.5 stars.  Fast forward to today..

    We arrived at the hotel to find out it was under extensive construction.  The entire grand lobby is closed and you literally walk over boards to get to the elevators. The restaurant is even closed. It is not what I remember and I really wish I did not book this hotel.  I booked back in January and wish I had check on recent reviews. I don't want to sound so horrible about the hotel but if you have a reservation here I strongly recommend changing it and wait to return until the renovations are complete.   If you are paying what we are I can only say that I am 99% sure that most people will be disappointed and possible angry if they stay at this hotel right now.  Another suggestion is to not bother spending the money to upgrade to a cathedral room.. the cathedral is being renovated as well so has scaffolding all over it.

    The staff was very nice and tried their best to do what they could for us.  We were upgraded to the a renovated room which was nice and they gave us a bit of a discount on our rooms.  In the end, I would have preferred to pay more and stay at a hotel in which we could meet friends to have drinks and/or dinner.  The renovated rooms are nothing like the style of the old rooms.  The new rooms are very light and bright.  They lean more to the modern side and, in my opinion, are a little plain.  The bathrooms look like they have not been changed.  I kinda miss the opulence of the old rooms and lobby but maybe this is the new direction people asked the hotel to go.

    One note to the management..  I would be nice to not have to pay $16 a day for wifi!  People are paying anywhere from $400-$800 or more for their rooms. Just include it in the price.. you aren't paying that much for it and your customers know that!
  • Review from

    6/7/2013
    The location can't be beat, but for the whole hotel to be undergoing renovations during my first stay was a huge bummer. Scaffolding covered all of the windows, and we woke up to the sound of jackhammers every day. I wish they'd let us know about this when we made the reservation.

    The rooms are large for NYC, but they're a little outdated. We enjoyed the most expensive breakfasts of our lives in the restaurant, but they were incredibly delicious. Sometimes you wake up at 8 a.m. in NYC, and you just don't feel like going on a food hunt.

    Hopefully we can return when the renovations are finished, because it is an excellent location. I also want to see what all the fuss is about.
  • Review from

    5/19/2013 1 check-in here
    **This is not a review for their rooms or service**

    We attended the Annual NY Audio Show back in April 2013. This place is gorgeous! I mean it's grand just like what they show in Gossip Girl! However, we were here for the audio show, and I have to say, the set up is weird (but I get why...)

    The exhibit is spread over few floors, and the first floor was sort of like a conference room set up, and then we get to go up to 9, 10 and 11th floor to check out each vendor. Each vendor get a room or two to show off their speakers, sub woofers, home audio etc etc. So I get why it was set up in each room.

    We had the opportunity to check out a lot of rooms of varying sizes because of this event, some were cooler than others but overall from those 3 floors, I didn't feel like It was Gossip Girl type of wow.... =(

    Sorry guys, I can't review about the service and how a night here would be....
  • Review from

    5/16/2013
    Location, location, location - that's what it's all about. Understandable that it's a historical hotel and landmark, but that shouldn't mean outdated, gaudy and tired.
    AC/heater doesn't work that well - in the winter it's freezing during the day and uncomfortably warm at night under the thick comforters (even though we have the system cranked to its highest setting). My husband hates that there is a lack of hot water in the mornings when he's trying to shower before heading to his meetings. Service was ok. Fitness center is pretty nice but small.

    It looks like the hotel is going to get a major facelift and hopefully after the renovations it'll live up to modern standards.
  • Review from

    1/6/2013
    3 night stay here earlier this year.
    Nice enough hotel, but felt expensive and dated relative to other options in town.
    As an example, light breakfast of granola and fruit was $50. High even by NY hotel standards.
    Good location though and fine service during the stay.
  • Review from

    1/14/2013 1 check-in here
    Very centrally located with easy access to 5th ave, taxis and subway

    The rooms are very clean and have all the extras you would expect from lush bathrobes and slippers to good ligthing and space

    I love the stye and the service of this hotel
  • Review from

    • 53 friends
    • 3 reviews
    2/14/2013
    I stay here once a year, mainly for work.  It's pretty, clean, and the rooms are pretty big.  The last couple years, our room overlooked St Patrick's Cathedral, which is awesome.

    The staff is pretty friendly.  Free WIFI!

    It's such a great location: walking distance to 5th Avenue and Central Park, between Madison & Park, train station a couple blocks away, centrally located so short cab rides everywhere... I can't say many bad things about it.

    This year, they were doing construction.  No loud noises or anything, but it kinda affected the aesthetics of the place.  All in all, great place to stay if you're visiting and want to experience NYC!

    TIP: don't buy waters, etc at the hotel -- not wise.  There are plenty of places just steps away (Starbucks, Bistro Cafe) to grab waters and snacks.
    Gilt was closed due to construction, but if it's open I highly recommend the truffle fries!



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