Gild Hall, A Thompson Hotel, by Hyatt

The staff were the best part of our stay. They were consistently friendly, polite, and helpful. The hotel was generally clean, but it feels old and very dark inside. Our room was extremely small and uncomfortable for spending time in, and the aged building had a very basic bathroom with just a shower curtain. The air conditioning was loud, blew dust into the room, and smelled musty when running. We had to use it because otherwise the room got too cold. This wouldn't suit people with allergies. Breakfast came with our rate, though the choices were very limited. We'd book without it next time and eat elsewhere, since there are plenty of better options nearby. The lobby opens straight into an Italian restaurant, so there isn't really a lobby, and it's noisy in the evenings. The restaurant is separate from the hotel, although its bill can be charged to the room. We wouldn't stay here again. The rooms are uncomfortable, there is no quiet lobby space, and the price, especially in the pre-Christmas season, isn't justified. The website photos make the hotel look much nicer than it is.

For about $235 a night after tax, we got a lot: large-for-NYC rooms, unlimited bottles of water each day, daily champagne sips, and, through Amex, free breakfast plus a $100 credit. The breakfast was full service at the connected restaurant, not continental. We enjoyed the avocado toast with poached eggs, French toast, and American breakfast, all consistently good, plus free juice. We used the credit for a free dinner, too, and were allowed to check out at 4 since there was availability. I'd stayed closer to Times Square for work before, where rooms were cramped and sometimes over $400 with no extras. This was an amazing value. The only downside is the slightly longer commute from FiDi. I look forward to coming back.

The attached restaurant, Felice, was a treat. I ate breakfast and dinner there three times and enjoyed every meal. Front desk staff were helpful, informative, and easy to talk to. I stayed two nights, and the room was very clean, with high ceilings and Molton Brown toiletries. It was also so quiet at night that it hardly felt like I was in the city. Nothing to complain about, and I highly recommend it for a city visit.

Guild Hall, a Thompson Hotel, has become my go-to in Manhattan and one of my favorite hotels under the Hyatt umbrella. It's refined but still comfortable, and I can actually relax there. The area is close to most major transit lines, so getting around is easy, but it's not too hectic at night. The rooms and hotel are spotless, and the atmosphere feels welcoming rather than corporate. Staff were warm, professional, and attentive from check-in through check-out. Quiet and well-run, it's a sleeper hit I keep returning to. Highly recommended.