Reviews of Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, New York City, New York

We took the Airport Express...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Room Only

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2007

Tour Operator:

Travel Republic

Submitted By:

carole2000

Comments:

We took the Airport Express Coach from Newark ($23 pp return) to Grand Central Station which was the 3rd stop in Manhattan.



From there it was only a 10 minute walk to the hotel which is situated on E44th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues.



The reception area is very plush and clean with very helpful and polite concierge and reception staff. There are 2 towers - east and west. We were in the west tower on the 31st floor.



The room was clean, with neutral decoration and a good size with a very large bed, mini bar (very expensive!), TV, air conditioning/heating, a small table and chairs and a great view of the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings from the window, which had floor to ceiling glass.



The bathroom was clean but could have done with a bit of modernisation. Plenty of clean towels were provided.



The hotel has an amazing swimming pool on the 27th floor of the east tower which has floor to ceiling windows with views over the East River, UN Buildings and Manhattan.



There are also saunas in both the ladies and gents changing rooms, a massage area and a well equipped gym. There are tennis courts on the 30th floor which you book and pay extra for. The towels provided in the pool area are so small though - like handtowels!



There is a restaurant and room service in the hotel, but we did not try either as we were out exploring day and night! A great place for breakfast is John's Cafe which is a couple of minutes walk from the hotel on the corner of 2nd/E44th Street.



We paid approx $20 for 2 hot breakfasts with toast, jam and unlimited coffee including a tip, and this set us up for the day's walking. The nearest subway at Grand Central takes you right down to Brooklyn Bridge and Ground Zero area.



We walked across the Bridge over the pedestrian walkway which gives great views over Manhattan. You can either buy a $2 one journey ticket or a day fun pass for $7 which is for both subway and buses.



We got a bus on 2nd Avenue right to South Ferry to get on the Staten Island ferry, which is free, to see the Statue of Liberty. We walked from the hotel over to Times Square which takes approx 10 minutes.



Also within walking distance is Central Park, 5th Avenue shopping area, the "Top of the Rock" (Rockefeller Centre) and the Empire State Building. We also visited "The View" which is a revolving bar on the 48th floor of the Marriott Marquis on Times Square.



If you time it right you can get there before the sun sets and see Manhattan by daylight then by night while sipping a lovely strong cocktail!



I would stay definitely in this hotel again as it was comfortable, clean and a great location.