Novotel Hotel

We stayed at the Novotel for a week over Christmas, and could not fault it at all. It is an excellent location, as everything is literally on your doorstep!
The rooms are a really good size & spotlessly clean. We had a king size bed (with linen changed daily) and a "lounge" area at the window - which had an amazing view & overlooked Times Square - but thank goodness for sound-proofed glazing & black-out curtains as the saying is true - New York IS the city that NEVER sleeps!
The entire hotel is spotlessly clean & the staff are very efficient & helpful. The service at the bar isn't the greatest; but the room service is very good; both plentiful & efficient. The only negative thing I could say (and it’s a minor detail) is that there are no tea/coffee making facilities in the rooms, and ordering it from room service all the time can get expensive as tax, service charge and delivery charge are all added to your order, so a pot of coffee is costing approx $10 before tip; but you're on holiday.
We only ate breakfast in the hotel restaurant, which was basic for $19.95 but nice all the same. We didn’t eat in the restaurant at night but did order food from room service a couple of times and it was very nice. There are plenty of great places to eat/drink within easy walking distance of the hotel.
The food & staff at the Hard Rock Cafe are recommended, although beware of Planet Hollywood (nothing wrong with the food or bar staff) but we went in for a drink & a snack on the way back one afternoon, and left a 15% tip for our food & the waitress came back to our table as we were leaving and asked what was wrong with her service, as it was "customary" to leave AT LEAST 18-20% tip for waiting staff in the U.S which we thought was very rude. Although it was an isolated incident, so please don't let it put you off trying the place for yourselves - just beware!

Located on West 52nd and Broadway, there is no where in New York much more central than the Novotel. Our room had a Queen sized bed and was well sized for any city centre hotel, especially in NY, so lots of room for all that shopping! The room was clean and a definite plus was the soundproofed windows - in NY the city that never sleeps, even a few hours sleep are needed to recharge and keeping out all the honking horns of the famous yellow cabs is a must.
Our room had a view of the neon lights of Times Square and the restaurant has an al-fresco balcony with simply electric views - unfortunately it was too cold to sit out but you won't find many better photo opportunities than from the balcony (or Sky Terrace as the Novotel call it).
All staff were extremely polite and happy to answer any questions. After midnight entrance to the hotel (which is via the street and up a lift to the lobby) was only granted on the validation of your room key and should you have a late flight, bags and cases can be left in a porters room for $1 a bag - each bag is tagged and don't even think of picking up a case without showing the corresponding receipt half of the tag! :-)
Location wise you couldn't get more central in Manhattan, the subway (easiest and quickest way to get around NY) is only 2 blocks down and all the main Broadway shows are no more than a stones throw away (our room had a great view of Mamma Mia). We only had to walk 4 blocks (about 2-3 mins) to see Chicago.
There are more Delis (and the now obligatory Starbucks) than bagel fillings around the hotel and a good choice of all-American Diners and a variety of restaurants from Irish to Steak houses to Italian catering for all tastes and budgets. There is also a good few bars around the hotel, though we did notice every bar seemed to be 'Irish' - though we were there over St Patrick's weekend :-) Be prepared to pay city centre prices in bars, most places charging $6 - $8 (£3 - £4) per drink, plus the $1 per drink tip system (though we did note that many of the resident New Yorkers don't tip for every drink any longer).
If you decide to have a drink or snack/meal in the hotel, you will be charged hotel prices - we preferred the little Deli across the road which sold bagels for $1. Bar service could sometimes be a little slow and the bar closes at 12am sharp which was the only thing we could fault with the hotel (most NY bars close at 4am - 4.30am)
Overall we could not fault the Novotel on anything over our stay, don't expect frills and freebies but our room was clean, comfortable and decent sized with everything needed as a base for a city centre holiday - and at the end of the day, just how much time do you really want to spend in your room when there is a whole city to explore? :-)

We arrived at the hotel to be greeted by very friendly bellboys. On arrival at a very clean and air conditioned reception we checked in and the receptionist gave us a room upgrade free of charge. He said it was a nice room with a good view. I have heard that before.... but on going into the room and opening the curtains I could not believe it. We were on the 23rd floor and the view was looking straight down Times Square. It was amazing especially at night. This was my 4th visit to New York and I wish I had discovered this hotel on my 1st visit as I would have come back again and again. The staff could not do enough for you and the restaurant and bar prices were very very reasonable considering we were right on Times Square. I am sure that I will be returning to New York and when I do I will definitely be staying at the Novotel again.