The Empire Hotel

Hotel was very expensive, and a 4 star SO we were expecting the best ammenities. However, our room was very small, our bathroom door didn't close, there was MOLD in the shower, the paint on the ceiling was peeling, our towels had holes in them. Exremely disappointed..

The hotel did not honor the reservation for the "superior" room. Even though I asked and the desk person went into the back room for 15 minutes when all was said and done we had the same cramped room we had the last time we stayed at the Empire.

The room was small but well appointed; however, the room was VERY dingy, dark, and seemed thrown together. The bathroom door jam looked like someone tried to get into it with a crowbar and the wallpaper was peeling near the ceiling in multiple locations. Our duvet cover had a hole in it and my wife kept catching her foot in it...funny after awhile. There was no sheet between the duvet either which was very weird, just a duvet, that's it. As for the location, we were two blocks away from Central Park which makes this hotel worth the booking. If you want the Plaza, then you will not be happy here...it's cheap, better than a hostel, and a perfect location. The staff was good getting us checked in fast, but they did nothing exceptional. I'm not going to rate them high just because they did their job as directed. Rooms again were picked up, but seemed very dirty still, stains on the curtain, etc. Our air conditioner was OLD and EXTREMELY noisy. On top of the noisy A/C, the windows were old so we heard car horns, sirens, and people yelling ALL night and we were on the 5th floor! I can't imagine being at a lower level. Overall, 3 star hotel, 5+ star location, decent nights sleep, cheap for NYC.

it was my first time stay in this motel but i did like it, because it was very nice area specially close to central park, Lincoln center, and food was very delicious any restaurant you go there only thing was missing in this motel was kitchen if they even had microwave or would make perfect place

Rooftop pool area had fantastic views of the city, especially beautiful at night w/ the cool breeze. 15 min walk to Hudson River-great parks along the river. 5min walk to columbus circle & central park.

We have been to this hotel many time and had a great experience.This was the first time that we booked with [...]the room was of greatly inferior quality compare to rooms of the same price booked directly through the hotel. Very dark, very noisy we had to keep the windows open and someone from floors above through a still lighted sigarette that from the open window fell on our carpet during the night....

The hotel overbooked (they said they had some damage to a floor which caused them to cancel rooms but as we travelled by the hotel, all floors looked booked.) We were informed that a wedding and two conventions had to take priority over our visit and we were unceremoniously relocated to another hotel all the way across town. My parents arrived first and were simply told it was not their problem and that we should contact [...] We needed to be close to Lincoln Center which is the only reason we booked this hotel in the first place. Until we called the hotel to discuss what they could do they were prepared to simply tell my parents to go to another hotel nearly 20 minutes away. The best they did was put us up in a queen room at the Hudson...Smallest room ever. Although the front desk manager was helpful, while we waited for a new hotel room which took nearly 4 hours, many people arrived at the hotel and checked into their room. As they told me, they simply took priority over booking with [...]. I will never recommend, stay or every even suggest any hotel associated with the Empire, the chain[...]

Great location right near Lincoln Center and close to Columbus circle and the Time Warner Center. The staff was very nice and everyone had a smile on their face. They were eager to help and most accomodating. The hotel has been renovated and the rooms reflect this. They were very attractive but small. We enjoyed our stay - we were on the 10th floor and must say it was very quiet and we were not bothered by sounds of the NY traffic. We would definitely stay at the Empire Hotel again.

We stayed at The Empire Hotel because it was suggested by others. It was very close to the Lincoln Center where we went to an opera and the Met Audition Finals. The room was small which we understand is standard in NY for the price we paid. The decor of the hotel was outstanding and the rooms were clean. I did not like NO CLOSET, only 4 hangars, no counter in the bathroom, not enough light in the bathroom or the room and it was hard to see to put on makeup or other things requiring a mirror. The music in lobby was too loud. It was turned down when we mentioned it, but we were told the manager likes it that way. It was too loud to comfortably have a drink in the lounge. I just don't get that. I don't know if I ever will stay in this hotel again. It's too bad because it is so convenient to the the things we like to do in NY. The personnel who handled the doors and called the cabs for us were very, very competent and helpful.

There could not be a better location if you plan to attend any events at Lincoln Center, which I did. You just walk across the street. Staff is friendly and helpful. Hotel and rooms are beautifully decorated. Now for the bad news: The bathrooms are too small - there is no countertop - no place to put your curling iron, etc. Also, the area for hanging your clothes (can't really call it a closet) is WAY too small. Just three little knobs to put hangers on. For some reason they feel they have to BLAST the music in the lobby/bar area - it sounds like a dance club, and it's not. My group would have stopped for a nightcap before going upstairs, but it was just too loud. No coffee maker in the room, no coffee anywhere. Starbucks is right next door, though. Maybe they made a deal with them to not provide coffee? If you can put up with these inconveniences, it's a nice place to stay, and a decent price for New York. Again, the location is excellent.