Located directly opposite Madison Square Garden, a few blocks across from the Empire State Building and with a subway station on the corner about 10 metres from the entrance, this hotel is very well located. It is that well located, that we arrived via the subway, trying to save money, walked out into the street and there was the entrance. A nice pleasant surprise and great start to our stay.

Check in was not that great though. If you read my American Airlines review, you may notice, I appear to have problems with checking in. When it was our turn, we expected a cheery person who understood you have just got in from around 10 hours of solid travelling to get to where you are. Our member of staff appeared not care about any of this. She was very put out when we stated we wanted to check in. I mean, who would have thought that people would want to check in at the check in desk?? Anyway, aside from the pants attitude we got, check in was pretty quick and we were on our way.

At this point, I noticed the lobby. It is pretty big, bigger than where we have stayed before. You come in the entrance doors and check in is to the right, as is a restaurant. Directly in front is a transportation desk and the lifts. To the left is some seating and the Tick Tock Diner.

We made our to the lifts and find there are 2 seperate banks. The left side if for up to floor 20. The right side is for floors 21 through to 40. We were on 28, so the right side it was. At the entrance to the lift area, a staff member stands and will check people's room key's to make sure they are staying here. The lift came and it took 19 seconds to get to the 28th floor. 19 seconds people!!!! It takes about 1 minute to go up 2 floors at work.

Our room was easily located, with plenty of signs directing you. Just by the lifts is an ice machine (not located on every floor), a drinks machine and a sweet one.

The room itself was pretty pleasant. Small, but that is New York standards I'm afraid. It was very clean, had the obligatory Bible, a tv, desk and chair, bed, 2 bedside chests, small wardrobe and a bathroom. There was no safe, which I found annoying, although safe deposit boxes are available in reception. We had a view of the office building opposite, but that was it unfortunately.

During our stay, every member of staff we met was very courteous, other than the check in lady. Check out was pretty simple. You can either deposit your key in a box in the lift area or do as we did and go to the desk. We did this as we were leaving our bags in the hold. This costs $1 a bag unfortunately. An unexpected expense, having never paid to to hold bags anywhere else before.

There is no breakfast or room service at this hotel. The Tick Tock Diner is open 24 hours a day, with entrances both in the hotel lobby and the street. This is the only reason I can think of for them not even having room service.

The hotel was nice and pleasant, yet I find myself sitting here pretty uninspired about it. As nice as it was, I don't think I would stay there again. I have no complaints, but it just doesn't really have that special factor you want from a trip to the Big Apple.