570 Tenth Avenue
New York, NY
Neighborhood:
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Midtown West/Theatre District
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Vibe:
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Futuristic (yeah, baby)
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My Room/Bed/Bath:
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Premium Cabin - Queen
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WiFi:
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Free (plus workstations in the 4th floor lobby)
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Price:
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Room was $149, $174.47 including tax, booked directly at www.yotel.com about 3 weeks in advance
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 A sofa that converts to a bed a the push of a button |
Vibe: From the minute you walk in to the first floor lobby, you have the distinct sense that something is different. To your right is a 12 foot toll “Yobot”. If you’ve checked out and have luggage you’d like to stow, this robot, automatically picks up your luggage and deposits its into a locker for you, punch in a code number when you get back, that the robot retrieves your bags for you.
My room was on the 20th floor, (Room 2023) facing east – a rather artistic view of Port authority just below. The bed that converts to and from a futon is awfully clever, but the bedding was hard... it felt more like a worn futon mattress than a spring mattress. Restoring it to sofa status gave you a little more space to move about the cabin – which is standard New York small, but the space is used exceptionally well. Complimentary breakfast of breads, coffee and juices is nice (there is a sit down breakfast, too.)
The 4th floor concierge desk goes by the name “Mission Control” – but with self check-in and check-out, and the baggage robot, this hotel is pretty much do-it-yourself.
A visit in February didn’t lend itself to checking out the terrace, said to be “New York’s largest outdoor hotel terrace” – but it looked spectacular. I didn’t check out the gym, but its open 24/7.
Quiet: Pretty quiet, and I got a good night’s sleep, despite the less than comfy bed. You could hear the shower running in the room next door, but otherwise pretty quiet.
Neighbourhood: There’s a 24 hour pharmacy/Chemist (CVS) right across the street, around the corner is the grocery and takeaway food shop Food Emporium. Lansdowne Road, 599 10th Avenue near 44th, is a good boozer and Riposo, 667 9th Avenue (between 46th St & 47th St), is a lovely wine bar. I also hear that Perdition, 692 10th Ave. Between 48th & 49th, is good for cocktail, or two or ten, though I’ve not been there yet myself.
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| Night and day, looking east from the 20th floor of Yotel. |
A lovely gift shop, Domus is on 44th always has great items. Delphinium Home, 353 W 47th Street (between 8th and 9th), Delphinium Card & Gift, 358 W. 47th Street – are great little shops. Bis.Co.Latte has great biscotti and lattes (as the name would suggest)at 667 10th Avenue. The bar upstairs from Joe Allen’s, which goes by the name Bar Centrale, is a nice oasis in the theatre district at 324 West 46th Street....to the left of the green Joe Allen awning, go up the stairs to the non-descript wooden door... inside lies a serene bar and “light bites” restaurant. ( I think they intentionally make themselves mysterious... even their website doesn’t have much more than the address.)
Restaurants: Dohyo The “Latin Asian Tapas” restaurant on the fourth floor of the hotel initially seemed a bit intimidating, but the service was good, the food inventive and tasty... an unexpected special treat.
Other recommended dinner spots:
Gallo Nero, 404 West 44th Street near 9th avenue, for peasant-style home-cooked Italian meals and decent wine list
Marseille, 630 Ninth Avenue at 44th Street – classic French-Morroccan food as the name of this French city would employ. A recent visit offered beer AND wine pairings (together!) with each course.
Becco at 863 Ninth Avenue can be a good choice, too, but as New York Magazine deftly describes it, be prepared for “middle-aged suburbanite women pack this Italian spot.” Its a good, reliable restaurant. The beet and goat cheese ravioli I had there a week ago was excellent... if you are lucky enough to find them on the menu, give them a try!
Access to the Subway: The A, C, and E lines are at 42nd and 8th – just a couple minutes walk away.
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| A wonderful view of the Manhattan skyline from the shower (or toliet!) |
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