Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Hilton Hotel East 42nd Street near Tudor City

Tucked away on East 42nd Street is a Hilton Hotel which I have often noticed but never heard or read anything about.

I have no idea what Yelpers will say--Mixed reviews but positive ones dominate.. agreement on it being a good location-- rooms described as small bur good-- disagreement on whether it is worth the price

Hilton Manhattan East

3.0 star rating
28 reviews Rating Details
Category: Hotels
304 East 42nd Street
(between 2nd Ave & Tudor City Pl)
New York, NY 10017
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(212) 986-8800

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Nearest Transit Station:
Grand Central - 42 St. (7, 7X)
Grand Central - 42 St. (4, 5, 6, 6X)
Grand Central - 42 St. (S)
Price Range:
$$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Wi-Fi:
Paid
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28 reviews in English

  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 5 reviews
    Los Angeles, CA
    9/2/2013
    Hilton Manhattan East is a charming little boutique-style hotel near the heart of Manhattan, close to many things like Grand Central, subways, restaurants, bars, and so forth, but it's off a major avenue so the neighborhood is quiet (by NY standards).

    The building is almost a century old, so the halls are super-small by modern standards, and the elevators are tiny. But the rooms are refurbished, very comfortable, and decorated with taste. The bathrooms are gorgeous. The lobby is immaculate and modern. Staff is very friendly and attentive. Each room has a separate closet and programmable personal safe.

    If you're looking for traditional Hilton uber-glitz with chocolate on the pillows, floor-to-ceiling windows, and power-operated curtains, then look elsewhere. But if you want a comfortable, quiet, happy property where staff remembers your face, then this is the place for you.

    That being said, I had a couple of complaints, but they're minor complaints (for me).

    1. My room had two temperature systems, one was a standard in-room thermostat control, and a second system was automatic building-wide (surely a hold-over from past decades). The practical result is that the second system was always on, in this case cooling the room even when I was cold. My simple solution was to use the thermostat system heater to balance the temp. It worked perfectly, but it required a bit of thought to implement.

    2. My mattress was a bit saggy in the middle. Nevertheless, I slept well.

    Neither of my complaints were deal breakers. Also, I didn't eat at the restaurant or drink at the bar. Both looked inviting, so perhaps I'll try them another time, but with all of Manhattan outside, hanging around in the hotel was not on my to-do list.

    Overall, I loved this little hotel, and will definitely return.
  • Review from

    • 22 friends
    • 161 reviews
    Cleveland, OH
    8/28/2013 3 check-ins here
    Kevin at the front desk was very helpful and very attentive. I asked for a quiet room and I got one. Yes, the view stunk but that's what you get with quiet: a view of a brick wall.  I'll take it.  -- The janitor was also very friendly. He stopped work he was doing on the floor to get the elevator for me and I found that very helpful.

    The rooms are small, but that's Manhattan.  I've stayed here a few times and always enjoy my stay.  I will be back.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 2 reviews
    Miami Beach, FL
    8/27/2013
    INTERNET SUCKS! I called in to see if they could make it faster but nothing. Makes me not want to reside in the room. Also VMA's was on TV and something is wrong with their cables causing a delay in connectivity every once in a wile. They suck for that.

    Everything else is pretty much fine.  Clean, nice hotel, and simply decent. Im writing this review because they didn't fix the internet.

    It's an A-OK hotel. I would of gave it 4 Stars if the internet was working.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 13 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    8/17/2013
    I stayed at this hotel twice and had issues both times. The hotel is extremely disorganized.

    The first time, I booked it through Priceline and they were listed as 4 stars but this place is more a 3 star hotel.  they gave me a room key and it turns out the room was occupied, I walked in and someone was takin a shower in the bathroom. I went downstairs and was told the room wasn't supposed to be occupied. They moved me to a similar room, the room was dark and seemed dingy. The only good part was the bath products were high quality.

    The second time I used them was because the manager offered me a free upgrade due to the problem I had with them the first time. Unfortunately the manager didnt tell anyone to give me a free upgrade so I had to wait for them to get in touch with her before they did it. They have me their best suite which wasn't impressive - I still would have said it was three stars if that's how the rooms all looked. The bathroom is outdated, the furniture and rugs are tacky, I think they need to just give it a complete overhaul.
  • Review from

    • 16 friends
    • 2 reviews
    Long Beach, CA
    4/23/2013
    We stayed here 2 weeks ago and Oh, what a positive experience!  We got the King Size Deluxe room.  The room was super clean with a fresh smell. The staff were attentive from the front desk to the concierge.  My daughter and I highly recommend their own Tudor Bar and Grill. Azid had my New York steak cooked to perfection.  Hats off to Michelle for running a tight ship of attentive, service oriented staff.

    I also commend Cynthia at the registration desk.  She was helpful, cordial, and professional.  We are definitely coming back.
  • Review from

    Roseville, CA
    7/3/2013
    I stayed here two weeks ago for my first trip to New York for fun, and for work as well.  The location was perfect for doing touristy activities.  If you are looking for a hotel in a good location I would say this is the one.  I don't mind walking so with that being said, I was able to walk to Times Square, 5th Avenue, Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and the Plaza Hotel.  However, Central Park was easily over a mile from here, that is one of the longer walks.  Other areas like the financial district and east village were a short cab ride away ($5- $10).  I know the hotel is a bit out dated but I didn't spend too much time in my room, so I didn't mind. I found the room to be a bit on the small side, about the size of my closet at home, but it was very clean.  I was hardly in the room, so it didn't bother me.  It did just fine as a place to sleep and get ready in.  I had free breakfast every day which was nice.  The staff were all friendly and helpful. I especially enjoyed the bartenders at the lounge down stairs they gave us great recommendations on places to eat at and bars to check out. Then always followed up with us the next day to see how we liked them. I will most likely stay at this same location when I go back at the end of this month.  I also found this area of town to not be so busy which made it easier for moving around outside and catching a cab quickly.
  • Review from

    Richmond, VA
    8/29/2012 1 check-in here
    Very impressed and better than expected. I got a great price on this room ($180 with tax for Fri/Sat nights), but the reviews scared me a little. The rooms were a good size for a big city hotel, and everything in the room was nice and newish and clean.

    The location was great, close to everything, but not so close that you walk out into the middle of a mob of tourists. I dealt with a ton of cranky New Yorkers everywhere I went on this trip, but the employees at this hotel seemed to be nicer than most.

    Didn't hurt that there was a nearby pizza joint that delivered me a great pizza at 4:00 AM.

    Highly recommended.
  • Review from

    • 1 friend
    • 34 reviews
    Fairfax, VA
    3/19/2013
    I would definitely go back to this hotel. Yes, the rooms were a bit small but definitely bigger than some I've stayed in in Boston, so I wasn't terribly shocked. The elevators are hilariously teeny. The doormen were great and we didn't have any problems with the front desk.
  • Review from

    • 3 friends
    • 37 reviews
    Gainesville, FL
    7/23/2012
    Disappointing. Location is ok but the hotel is dated, rooms are small even for NYC, and customer service is lacking. Bar tender and door man was very good but front desk staff seemed uninterested.

    Room was the smallest I have stayed in while in the city. Tile in bathroom was badly broke to the point of stepping on pieces of broken tile. Bathroom was so small you had to step in and close the door to sit on the toilet.

    Overall, I was disappointed and since I was on company travel and not paying for it myself, that is sad. Not a good hotel and certainly not a good Hilton.
  • Review from

    • 471 friends
    • 16 reviews
    Dallas, TX
    10/14/2012 1 check-in here
    Tiny room, cramped hallways, sweat-box elevators. Reminded me of my freshman dorm  in college, just a lot more expensive. For $400 a night, HELL no.
  • Review from

    Atlanta, GA
    12/23/2011
    I LOVED this hotel!

    It's not far from Times Square, up the street a few, but far enough for a cab ride, and to be out of "tourist central". Just right.

    It's a "boutique" Hilton- cute, small, cozy, and fashionably trendy. The lobby area is well appointed, very sleek. Every staff member I encountered was BEYOND fab, and it didn't seem forced (nice treat).

    Our room was a Junior Suite with a balcony- nice! Not a tiny balcony either, a good sized balcony, had it been just a tad warmer we would've spent more time out there.  As it was, we enjoyed it. Beautiful view of the (Hudson) river to our left.  Super plush king sized bed, bathroom to die for- and check this, it had a BEDET (bedais?) in it! We got a kick out of that. Jacuzzi tub, shower with special hand held shower thing and settings.  Just a really, really POSH room.

    We had room service- well done.

    As another Yelper mentioned, BEWARE of the BREAKFAST BUFFET if you don't get a comp coupon with your room.  It is $27.00 and the food is NOT WORTH IT!! That's the ONLY downside to this experience that I can recall. Still, not bad enough to deduct a star, although I did argue my point and the manager only charged me for a "continental breakfast"- still- that was $20.00 and NOT worth it.  The fact that manager "heard" me is saving the 5th and golden STAR!

    Overall, I think THIS has been my favorite NYC hotel stay!
  • Review from

    Washington, DC
    3/20/2011
    I have very low expectations when it comes to hotel rooms in NYC as I usually travel on a budget. Moldy bathrooms, worn down furniture, and an AC unit resting on the window sill have come standard for me in the past.

    I was very happy to check in to a small, but clean room with 2 double beds. The pillows were soft, but firm enough to provide support. The bathroom was clean and I was happy to find that there was no mold or mildew. They offered complimentary bath products from Crabtree and Evelyn which was a nice touch.

    I found the lobby to be welcoming with many seating areas to rest while waiting for a friend or just a place of refuge after a long day of walking in the city. There's a business center with Internet access and a gym on the second level with ellipticals, treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights, and a sauna in the restroom. Clean towels are also available in the gym.

    It's approximately 3 blocks away from Grand Central so you have pretty easy access to get around. There's also a Starbucks right across the street for a quick morning pick-me-up :)

    I would be happy to stay here again!
  • Review from

    Westerly, RI
    11/1/2011 1 check-in here
    I've stayed here twice now and this hotel has officially became my favorite for NYC! Both times I was upgraded to a deluxe room. My most recent stay I was awarded with a fabulous view. GORGEOUS. We had a balcony that overlooked the harbor. In fact, my friends and I stayed on the balcony most of the night with some cocktails before going out.  NYC hotels rarely have positive reviews because they are mega expensive and mega small so the view is always important. This hotel was on the low end price wise (though still over 250 a night), fabulous view and large rooms (for NYC). What more can a girl ask for?

    The location is great. 3 blocks from grand central, easy subway access,  not too far from the bars on 3rd street but far enough away from the tourist crowd.

    But... beware of the breakfast. I was given two breakfast coupons (though you can only eat the cold stuff not the hot breakfast) but my friend had to pay. We figured it would be around 15 for the buffet. Wow were we wrong. The buffet was over 25 dollars and all he ate was a piece of bacon and some juice. I don't think the breakfast is worth the price... head too a nearby diner or starbucks.
  • Review from

    Fairfax, VA
    5/31/2010 1 photo First to Review
    Stayed here during Memorial Weekend 2010. Cost was about $210 per night. The building has been renovated after being purchased by Hilton. It is really great. The rooms are small (arent most hotel rooms in Manhattan small?) but extremely well-kept and nice. The bathroom was very nice and elegant.

    The windows though.. showed an alleyway.. which wasnt flattering.. not much sunlight got into the room.. but it didnt bother us. There is a flat screen tv, iron, hair dryer.. all bathroom supplies/towels, blankets, pillows, comforters are from Crabtree & Evelyn. Very comfy beds. Staff is extremely friendly as well.

    Would definitely stay here again.
    • Hotel lobby

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