The Knickerbocker Hotel

This hotel offers a luxurious urban escape, renowned for its spacious rooms and a location that places guests at the heart of downtown. Its signature feature is its ability to provide a quiet oasis amidst the bustling Times Square, making it ideal for tourists, sightseers, theater-goers, families, and business travelers alike. Guests consistently praise the hotel's cleanliness, comfortable accommodations, and the attentive service provided by the staff. The rooftop bar is frequently highlighted as a memorable feature, offering stunning views. To enhance your stay, be aware that the hotel's exterior is currently undergoing renovation with scaffolding, which may impact some views, and consider utilizing the convenient subway access directly outside the hotel.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features a popular rooftop bar that offers stunning views and is a great spot for evening cocktails, though some guests note it can be busy and occasionally closes early. An in-house coffee shop is appreciated for its great coffee and fast service, especially in the mornings. For those looking to stay active, a well-equipped fitness center with two distinct areas is available 24 hours a day and is consistently described as clean. While Wi-Fi is complimentary, many guests express disappointment about the lack of in-room coffee/tea facilities, a common complaint for a hotel of this caliber, though kettles can sometimes be requested. The elevators are frequently mentioned as being slow and unreliable, leading to significant wait times, which can be frustrating for guests. Rooms are equipped with Diptyque products in the bathrooms, adding a touch of luxury, and umbrellas are thoughtfully provided.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the hotel's cleanliness, describing rooms as spotless, well-maintained, and modern. The comfortable beds and high-quality linens are frequently highlighted, ensuring a restful night's sleep. Despite its central location, the hotel is surprisingly quiet, thanks to excellent soundproofing and noise-canceling walls, though some rooms near elevators or on lower floors may experience more noise. The spacious bathrooms are a standout feature, often including a huge walk-in shower and sometimes a soaking tub, with good lighting and ample counter space. However, some guests have noted minor issues with shower door seals, glass bathroom compartments offering limited privacy, and occasional reports of mold in some bathrooms. Electric blackout shades are a highly appreciated amenity, effectively blocking out the city lights. While water bottles are provided daily, their replenishment can be inconsistent.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on dining options is mixed, with many guests praising the breakfast for its delicious and varied options, available as a buffet or a la carte. However, the breakfast is consistently noted as being very expensive. The hotel's restaurants, including the Charlie Palmer Steakhouse, generally receive high marks for food quality and service, though some guests were disappointed with their experience. The rooftop bar is popular for its atmosphere and drinks, but like other dining venues, the drinks are considered expensive. Room service and in-room dining are described as efficient and offering good quality food, albeit at a high cost. The in-house coffee shop is a convenient option for quick bites and coffee.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a significant advantage, placing guests directly in the heart of Times Square and within easy walking distance of numerous attractions. It is ideally situated for exploring the Theater District, Broadway, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, and 5th Avenue. The convenience of subway access right outside the hotel entrance is frequently highlighted, providing easy transportation throughout the city. While the immediate area is bustling, the hotel itself offers a quiet retreat. Parking is available, typically through valet service, but it is noted as being expensive. Despite the hotel's soundproofing, some guests on lower floors or facing the ongoing exterior renovation have reported experiencing street noise.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for being friendly, attentive, helpful, and professional. Many guests highlight the quick check-in and check-out processes, contributing to a smooth experience. Housekeeping is frequently commended for its thoroughness, often providing twice-daily service and turn-down service. The concierge team is noted for being very knowledgeable and providing excellent recommendations. While most interactions are positive, some guests have reported isolated instances of unhelpful or rude behavior from certain front desk or doorman staff. Overall, the staff's dedication to providing excellent service, including accommodating requests for early check-in and room upgrades, is a recurring theme in guest reviews.

Additional Information
A significant point for guests to note is the ongoing exterior renovation of the hotel, which involves scaffolding covering the building. Many guests were not informed of this prior to booking, and it can impact room views and natural light. The hotel charges a mandatory Residence Fee or Destination Fee per night, which covers amenities like Wi-Fi and water bottles, but many guests feel this is an unexpected and overpriced addition. Some guests have reported issues with HVAC systems not adequately cooling rooms, and a few instances of no hot water have been mentioned. The hotel is praised for its pleasant hotel smell throughout the lobby and hallways, contributing to a relaxing atmosphere. While the hotel is historic, some guests feel its interior decor does not fully reflect this heritage.