Dream Midtown, by Hyatt

The location on 55th Street makes getting around easy, especially with subway lines nearby for a straightforward trip to the airports. Check-in was warm and efficient, and I was in my room within minutes. It had enough space for my large suitcase and a great bed, so I slept well. There’s no fridge, but the restaurant downstairs kindly filled my cooler with ice so I could keep my medication cold. The gym is a couple of blocks away rather than inside the hotel, which suited me since hotel gyms can feel sterile. The one partnered with Dream Midtown was stellar, well equipped, and accommodating. I liked the energy of the hotel from the start, had no problems, and would gladly stay here again in New York.

Mike at the front desk was caring, courteous, and extremely nice, and housekeeping kept our room clean every day. The staff were incredible. Our queen room was tight, and the hotel and rooms could use some TLC. It felt a bit like being on a cruise, but we were happy with our stay. You can walk to Central Park, shops, Columbus circle, and train stations in no time. NYC has plenty of honking, sirens, and cop car noise, so don’t expect a very quiet room. We were on the 7th floor and could still hear it. We visit twice a year and it doesn’t bother us, though a higher floor might help if someone in your party is sensitive to noise. The bell staff arranged car service to the airport when we asked the day before checkout, and it worked perfectly. We’ll definitely stay at the Dream again.

The rooftop views are stunning, and there’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating at the lounge and bar. Someone mentioned Thursday as the best night for rooftop nightlife. Midtown is convenient, though the elevator is small and the hallways long. I slept well and found the stay comfortable despite some noise. The blinds helped soften the outside lights coming through the window. There was a mix-up with the third-party payment, but the staff patiently reviewed the history and easily corrected the duplicate charge. The staff and security were exceptional. I’d stay again and recommend the place.

The location is hard to beat for tourists, with just about everything nearby, including central park. Housekeeping was prompt and consistent, we got a couple of water bottles each day, and the concierge and front desk staff were friendly and easy to deal with. We were on a higher floor and didn’t notice much noise. The hotel itself is dated, with little lounge space in the lobby and worn rooms. Although the room looked clean, I kept sneezing and had itchy, watery eyes there. That improved considerably whenever I left, even though I don’t usually have allergies. The fridge was broken, the flat pillows and bed left both of us with neck pain and back aches, and we slept poorly all three nights. There’s no coffee maker. The bathroom looked clean and maintained, but its fan didn’t work and the shower glass only covered half the area, so water got on the floor. The windows had a significant draft and moisture leaked into the room. I personally wouldn’t recommend staying here.