Crowne Plaza Times Square in New York City, NY

This hotel is in a great location in the theater district. We had to wait a bit at check in, but the staff was very pleasant. Our room was a good size, on an upper floor. It was comfortable, clean and very quiet. We had a nice view of the city. There is a breakfast bar where you can purchase pre-made egg sandwiches, bagels, yogurt and drinks. It was well run, and the food was fine. However, the hotel offered no seating for breakfast. They rope off the bar/restaurant area so you can’t sit there to have breakfast. That is thoughtless and annoying.

Obviously this hotel is in a fantastic location and you wouldn’t choose it if you wanted somewhere quiet. Having said that, as my room was on the 40th floor the street noise was not too intrusive. The room was a good size, with a huge and very comfy bed. The decor and furnishings were tired, and I would have expected a mini fridge for what I spent. Lifts and common areas were fine and the staff were efficient. Housekeeping was also good. Overall I enjoyed my stay.

Frankly, I can't recommend this property. Let's start with the amenity fee you need to pay, which is not always clearly communicated to you. There's also the question of what you're getting back from the amenity fee, because even breakfast is not offered (yes, this is a Crowne Plaza that doesn't serve breakfast). Oh wait, but it says on TripAdvisor and Google Maps that there is breakfast. That's right, the hotel services breakfast, just not for Diamond members. They matter-of-factly point out that the hotel doesn't have a restaurant when checking in, presumably to prevent confrontation about the breakfast. There's also three restaurants you can book in the hotel when you open up the IHG app. Not sure what they're playing at and why you would pay an amenity fee for a stay at this property. Looking at other reviews, IHG promised to take action as far back as October 2023 but it looks like not much has been done. There have been other complaints since then of the hotel pulling the same stunt. Front desk agent was also quite poor when checking us in, the way she was beckoning at us to go to her to receive the key. No communication about why she wanted us to insert the card but it was clear it was going to be about a deposit. Nonetheless, we asked what it was for and only then did she mention that the deposit would be returned minus the amenity fee. We also had the housekeeping staff knock at 9 am to ask us if we were checking out today, and what time. Apparently she wanted us to tell her when we were checking out, as if it was our job to do so. I'm not sure what fantasy world the hotel is in but they seem to think they can get away with whatever nonsense, perhaps due to the location. P.S. front desk just matter-of-factly said points when checking in. No welcome gift option or breakfast. It's like we're staying at a Holiday Inn Express, except that even a Holiday Inn Express would offer breakfast. No bottled water or welcome drink.

I have stayed in this hotel many times, from back in the days when it was a Holiday Inn, so I made the mistake of booking it again. I paid 1,400 dollars for a three night bed and breakfast stay, and I was well and truly fleeced. Avoid this place. I understand they are closing from January for refurbishment, and they seem to have abandoned any semblance of maintenance. The first room I was given was freezing, and the heating didn't work. The windows were grimy, and looked out on a wall of dirty glass on the return part of the building. It was also over a noisy air handling unit. I complained and they gave me another room with cleaner windows, but the heat didn't work there either. A porter admitted that it only operates when the outside temperature is low enough, and that I was wasting my time trying to get the controls to work. Other guests told me they had the same problem. Eventually they gave me a small fan hearer, which helped. The shower worked intermittently, initially running hot and then suddenly turning cold. It meant showering largely in cold water. I paid for breakfast, but they don't do breakfast. They give you a voucher for any three items from a coffee bar in the lobby, and the queue can be more than 25 minutes. There are just four seated tables so you have to eat your breakfast standing up. The tables are filthy. I have been in much better hotels in third world locations, and there are lots of much better places in this area. I was caught, fleeced in fact. Don't even think about staying here, check around.

Hotel is comfy and clean, however has serious issues with sound from both inside and outside. Any noise in corridors echoes loudly and is easily heard in rooms. Unfortunately some inconsiderate customers while I stayed took calls in the corridors. Also I had a connected room (but not open to other room as had not booked together) and noise travelled between the connecting doors so could hear most of what was happening in that room. Internal wall to room on other side of me (not connected) was also thin and could hear people in there. Then the noise from outside… could hear so much noise from outside, even Times Square despite being on the back of the hotel and 32 floors up with no view of it! The hotel should provide ear plugs in the rooms as standard for the outside noise as they are on Times Square. The rest needs looking at. Hotel in general good condition but some bits need attention. Unfortunately fitness suite closed for renovation when I visited, but could use one at hotel down the road. Staff generally friendly and helpful but some seemed a little rude and put out when asked questions.