Hilton New York Times Square in New York City, NY

The Hilton Times Square has major strengths, so I will likely try to stay at this hotel again on a future trip to Manhattan. At the same time, we encountered more than a few disappointments. The hotel's key strengths are its location and the room size. The hotel is in a prime spot on 42nd Street, at the edge of the Theater District, just steps from a major subway station, less than a block from the Port Authority bus terminal and only eight blocks from Penn Station. It was convenient to both our arrival in Manhattan on an express train from JFK airport and our departure on an express bus to Newark airport from the Port Authority. The rooms are the size of a typical hotel room across the U.S. — meaning they're at least three times bigger than the usual New York room, which is often only as wide as the length of the bed. At other hotels, it's not surprising to find the bed at the end of the room with walls on three sides, so if you're sharing the bed with your spouse one of you have to climb over the other to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. Rooms at the Times Square Hilton are far more spacious and less claustrophobic, and ours even came with a sofa bed to accommodate more guests. The disappointments included spotty housekeeping, a view that fell short, poor soundproofing, no real on-premises restaurant and a lack of room service. The front desk was great about getting us a room quickly when we arrived a couple of hours before the official check-in time, but it was immediately apparent that housekeeping had not finished cleaning the room. The top drawer was filled with broken pretzels. pretzel crumbs and a half-wrapped fruit square left by the previous guest, and the fridge was crammed with that guest's food and drinks. Also, I'm a longtime Hilton Honors member and expected to find complimentary bottles of water in the room, but they were never provided. The front desk told me it was possible to get free bottles of water, but only at check-in. I had booked a "corner room on a high floor" that offered the promise of an "Empire State Building view," but our room was on the 31st floor out of 44 — not really a "high floor." You could see the ESB only by going to the window, pulling back the curtain all the way and turning your head to the left. We were not able to see the building from our bed. My advice: Don't pay extra for a room described in the way that got me to bite. Ours was an adjoining room, and the soundproofing wasn't great, so we kept hearing a small child squealing on the other side of the double door. The absence of a restaurant was surprising. When we arrived in the early afternoon and were looking for some lunch, we were told the only option was a sandwich from the hotel's Long Acre Market convenience store. Breakfast is offered in the morning from a very pricey buffet (starting at $60), and dinner is available in the evenings in the lounge opposite the reception desk, but the lounge had no branding to suggest that it doubled as a restaurant during certain hours. The hotel's website lists "room service" as an amenity, and we found that attractive when we booked the room. But the Hilton doesn't offer traditional room service, only deliveries to your room from Long Acre Market, where the food was substandard. I went to the market to grab breakfast on my first morning in the hotel, ordered the egg white and sun-dried tomato panini, and got a precooked, reheated breakfast sandwich that was rubbery and completely flavorless. It was so bland that I threw about a quarter of it away. If you're looking for the standard eggs-toast-and-potatoes room service breakfast, you'll need to order from an outside restaurant and have it delivered via Uber Eats. To summarize, the Hilton Times Square has major positives — if you're willing to overlook its shortcomings.

After five days here I wanted to rename this the Hilton Hostel. That’s exactly how it felt for this diamond member. Beware: if you are expecting anything from your honors membership you will be very surprised. Hotel is conveniently located steps from Time Square with a “secret entrance”. You will miss it if you blink. You a take an elevator to the very busy and chaotic lobby/bar/restaurant. Our room wasn’t ready when we arrived so we were able to stow our luggage at no charge. Overall, the staff we encountered were professional and cordial. The room we were given had an amazing view. However, the room had a stuffy musty smell probably from the very old and worn carpet. The decor seemed pretty “new” but very worn from the 100s if not thousands of guests that have stayed in it. There were cracks in the wall paper on the walls and also on the ceiling. The heavy drapery also had the smell of many many guests. It was their lack of basic hilton honors membership perks that fell very short: priced out for breakfast, snacks and drinks. Rating this three stars mostly for the location and view. The rooms need serious attention

I had a very short visit to New York and wanted to have a couple of drinks while I was waiting. I found a pleasant bar where I could sit and rest in a calm environment, despite the busy atmosphere of New York City. And always my first choice is Hilton hotels while Im traveling.

Disappointed with Hilton Hotels. Booked in November via Booking.com Messaged hotel 3 times about the room type and upcoming anniversary, totally ignored, no reply whatsoever. Room was fairly big with King size bed but very basic. Breakfast was a joke! Booked breakfast package so was included, but if you didn’t $50 per head for very basic continental breakfast. Being European, I think we are really spoiled when it comes to food. Although stayed in Hilton’s in Europe with no complaints, I’m guessing in USA they just don’t care about you to much. I would not stay again when in NY. Convinced store inside hotel $11 for Bottle of still water and asking for 20% tip at self service was an experience!

We had a great week in this hotel. Reception staff were very helpful. Room was very spacious, beds very comfy and fantastic view from the window. The location is fantastic, just round the corner from Times Square with a Subway station 2 doors away. The only downside was the smell of weed! At the entrance door there was always a very strong smell which was very unpleasant. The concierge staff did not seem concerned and did not move the smokers away. This did not ruin our stay but did take away from it.