Hard Rock Hotel New York - Partner of ALL Accor

The best part of our New Year's week at Hard Rock Hotel New York was the special invitation for around 30 guests to watch the New Year's Eve ball drop up close at 11 PM. Staff escorted us past the crowds into a reserved area, so we could enjoy it without the crush or stress, which made a huge difference with our young children. We came as a family of four to enjoy the festive season, and the hotel suited us perfectly. It's a block from M&M’s World and easy to walk from to Broadway shows, the Rockefeller Center ice rink, 5th and 6th Avenue, and the subway. The Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off tour starts across the street. Room service was excellent, with good choices for both breakfast and dinner for the kids. There were so many nearby places to try local food and get a taste of New York, including Jos Pizza Broadway, Le Parisian Bakery, Max Brenner, Glaze Hot Chocolate, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Wu Dim Sum, and Melt Shop. Manager David was especially kind and helpful on several occasions, making us feel welcome. The stay worked out perfectly, and we'd highly recommend the hotel to families visiting during the holidays.

We stayed for a week in early January as a family of 4, and the staff made us feel welcome from the moment we got out of the car. Someone immediately helped with our bags and got us settled. The location is outstanding, the rooms were clean, warm, and inviting, and the restaurant food was very good and reasonably priced for the area. The first floor desk staff greeted us each morning and offered help, which gave the whole trip a kind, welcoming feel. Hopefully we'll return soon, even though it's a long journey from Australia!

We loved how walkable the location was, and the rooftop bar was amazing. There's a heated, enclosed outdoor lounge area, so you can enjoy the rooftop in winter too. Our room was clean and modern, and housekeeping kept everything tidy and replenished, including the complimentary bottled water. I did take off a star because I specifically chose the hotel for two queen beds, but what I got were double beds. Maybe that's just a New York thing?

The location was a real plus for being near Times Square and the Theater District, and check-in was quick and easy. The hotel was clean and well kept, with cool memorabilia throughout that added to the Hard Rock feel. The room was comfortable in some ways, with a good bed, though it was small, as is typical for NYC, and the pillows weren't comfortable. The in-room “cooler” barely got cold, which was frustrating. I was disappointed by the $75 room upgrade. All it seemed to add was a door separating the foyer from the bedroom, and that didn't feel worth the extra cost. Valet was another low point: it took about an hour to get our car, and it sounded like other guests were having the same problem. Overall, it was a decent stay, but I expected more for the price.