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The Knickerbocker in Times Square is the perfect luxury base for first-time visitors to New York - here's why
The Knickerbocker in Times Square is the perfect luxury base for first-time visitors to New York - here's why
Emily HochbergJan 11, 2020, 00:57 IST
Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
The Knickerbocker Hotel is a historic property that's been reimagined as a five-star luxury hotel in the heart of Times Square with a rooftop bar, and restaurant from famed chef, Charlie Palmer.
With rooms starting as low as $250 per night in slower seasons and averaging around $300 to $500 in high-occupancy periods, it's comparably priced to many other upscale New York hotels, and especially competitive for the five-star tier.
I spent a night in a Deluxe Room and thought it was the perfect base for first-time visitors to New York and tourists looking for a high-end boutique hotel.
As a New Yorker, the prospect of willingly entering Times Square can seem particularly bleak. Yet for first-time visitors to New York, it's the prime place to be, and stay.
As such, there is no shortage of options for hotels in Times Square. Most are big offerings from the likes of Marriott or others, which are great for earning loyalty points but can sometimes feel overrun with tourists and large tour groups.
For something a bit more understated, and with a level of sophistication that's hard to find in Times Square, my pick goes to the Knickerbocker Hotel.
Affectionately dubbed The Knick, this historic property dating back to 1906 has been lovingly restored as one of the only five-star hotels in the heart of Times Square. It's relatively affordable and popular with visitors looking for upscale accommodations in the heart of New York, and business types seeking to close a deal over a steak dinner. The Knick also provides a level of boutique luxury unavailable at many big brand options nearby.
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I spent a Friday night in a Deluxe Room, which was comped for review purposes, but typically starts at about $250 per night, depending on the time of year. If you can find such a deal, that's incredibly affordable for New York luxury hotels. Even in higher season, when prices run closer to the $300 to $500 range, it's still on par with New York prices but gains an edge in being a luxury offering.
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It's in Times Square. Like, really in Times Square. Situated at the corner of 42nd Street and Broadway, you really can't get much closer to the action, and the exterior sidewalk will be quite busy with passing crowds.
However, when I slipped inside the double doors, I found the lobby to be calming, dressed in shades of sleek brown and black hues. A concierge table was in front, with check-in a bit further back, past the elevators.
This was actually a bit cumbersome when I arrived at 4 p.m. at peak check-in time. Many people (and their extensive luggage) were waiting for small elevators, and I had to squeeze by to find the check-in desk.
Staff were positioned behind a low desk and the process to get to them was a bit confusing. There wasn't one clear line, just a lot of people milling about waiting for their turn.
Once I earned my spot in front, I found out I was booked in a Premier Room on the third floor, which offered direct views of Times Square. I think this is a great option for those who are new to the city and want to not only feel the electric pulse of it but see and savor it, too. However, as a light sleeper, the proposition of facing Times Square on such a low floor felt particularly risky.
I asked if it might be possible to be placed in a quieter location but was informed all Premier Rooms face Times Square, and though windows have soundproofing, they might still carry some noise. Deluxe Rooms, on the other hand, were the same in size and amenities, just without the views. Sign me up.
As soon as I entered my room, I was quite happy with my choice to swap Times Square views for a bit of peace and quiet. There was absolutely no noise from outside, and I was immediately struck by the serene, Zen-like feel of the contemporary room. The decor was mostly light wood and gray, with neutral lighting for a soft yellow tone. For a moment, I wondered if I was still in Times Square or had somehow transported to a futuristic hotel in Tokyo.
The room itself was spacious but simple, with a King-sized bed, couch, desk, TV, and closet. It's more than enough room for two people to spread out with giant suitcases and not feel on top of each other.
I still had nice city views and found the Deluxe Room to offer the best of both worlds: a Times Square address without being entrenched in the full frenzy of it. Though, if you're not a light sleeper, and don't mind spending a few dollars more, absolutely consider the Premier Room. After all, you're booking a hotel in Times Square because you want to be there, and being able to watch the action from bed (and then shut it away with blackout curtains) is a pretty cool concept.
I particularly enjoyed the bathroom, which also felt highly functional for more than one person. The toilet and shower are both separate through opaque walls and doors that are stylish, but not totally private. Another door can, however, section off the entire area further. The rainfall shower was a treat, with excellent pressure and luxe Diptyque bath amenities.
The bed was a bit firm for my taste, but the pillows felt like a dream. I slept well, however only after dealing with one significant noise issue.
The walls were a bit thin here, and rowdy children next door were playing and shouting quite loudly. I dialed the front desk, who were very apologetic and vowed to take care of the issue immediately, which they did. Thankfully, the pajama party ended, and I was able to relax, though noise remained slightly audible from other rooms and the hallway. Rooms could benefit from adding a barrier to the bottom of the door, to help close the gap and soften the sound of doors slamming harshly.
However, I would also add that noise is always a byproduct of being in Times Square. Hotel guests, no matter where you stay in this area, will largely be those who are new to the city and excited to here — as they should be. Large groups and families are likely to carry sound, and that's not the hotel's fault. But if you're turned off by this prospect, you might want to consider staying in lower-key neighborhoods such as NoMad, TriBeCa, Chelsea, or even Bryant Park. But if you're set on being in Times Square, it will be hard to beat the Knick.
The Knick's greatest amenity is its doorstep onto Times Square, but there's certainly much worth staying inside for too. I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Charlie Palmer's on-site restaurant, which specializes in elevated takes on American classics. Portions are on the smaller side, and expensive (hey, you're in Times Square), but expertly executed. They also offer a pre-fixe theater menu, making it a great option that's well-timed to seeing a show.
Guests also shouldn't miss a stop into St. Cloud, the Knick's rooftop bar. It boasts a bird's eye view of Times Square and midtown Manhattan. Heat lamps keep it open year-round, and the scene definitely feels more lounge-meets-nightclub the later you visit.
In the morning, grab a quick breakfast at Jake's. Located off the lobby, and set under an arched ceiling with mood lighting, Jake's looks like it was once a cocktail lounge that hasn't totally given up its former vibes. At first glance, the menu seemed an offshoot of Starbucks, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the food to taste quite fresh, with sandwiches, pastries, yogurt parfaits and and brews from La Colombe Coffee Roasters.
The hotel also houses a small gym. It's actually broken up into two rooms: one for a handful of cardio machines, and the other for free weights. It's fine for a quick workout, but not ideal if crowded.
Surprisingly, there's no spa on-site, however the Knick partners with NOMI, an on-demand mobile beauty studio providing blowouts, makeup application, and spa services, all in the comfort of your guest room. While you won't get to slip away to a spa, it's a fantastic and convenient option, especially if pressed for time.
Um, everything? Times Square is filled with incredible Broadway shows, restaurants on every corner, and street performers waiting to corner you for pictures and bully you into tips.
While there are a lot of tourist traps, some surprisingly good options exist too. Check out Los Tacos No.1, Ippudo Ramen, Sushi of Gari, or venture over to Hell's Kitchen for gems like Briciola, Esca, and Gotham West Market.
The Knickerbocker has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Trip Advisor, with a rank of 58 out of 507 hotels in Manhattan, and a score of 8.8 on Booking.com.
Former guests praise the clean, modern rooms and excellent customer service. Negative feedback cited the slow elevators, wear and tear in some rooms, and a $40 "residence fee," which is essentially a resort fee to cover the cost of Wi-Fi, in-room water bottles, and the gym. I also experienced some noise from other guests.
Who stays here: All kinds of tourists and families, especially on weekends. Some business travelers are more likely during the week.
We like: The upscale space felt like a sanctuary in the midst of hectic Times Square. The rooftop was also a cool bonus.
We love (don't miss this feature): The rainfall shower, in-room spa-services from NOMI, and steak dinner at Charlie Palmer.
We think you should know: Some rooms may be noisier than others. Ask the front desk about this if it's a concern. Also, there are no in-room coffee makers, so prepare to stop into Jake's in the morning.
We'd do this differently next time: Since I had noise from neighbors anyway, I think I'd try my luck with a Premier Room to enjoy the views, or better yet, upgrade to a Junior Suite to really take advantage of the luxury accommodations.
The Knickerbocker Hotel is one of the best hotels to stay in New York City if you want to be in Times Square. It's comparable in price to other big brand hotels but offers a sleeker, more boutique vibe, with upscale rooms and five-star service.
