Empire Hotel New York City - Hotel Review

Introduction

Welcome to OneChat Travel. Today we're checking in at the Empire Hotel in New York City. The property is located right next to Lincoln Center, about 5–10 minutes walking to Central Park and Columbus Circle. As always, I'll give unbiased, unfiltered opinions about this property and share my overall experience.

Property Overview

The Empire Hotel is a historic building constructed in 1923 — over 100 years old. Renovations were done around the year 2000 but didn't cover the entire property. The lobby has been newly renovated with fresh furniture, clean finishes, and four guest room elevators.

Dining & Ground Floor

The hotel is directly connected to Rosa Mexicana, accessible from the second-floor mezzanine. Hotel guests receive 15% off breakfast there (Benedicts, omelets, Mexican classics, avocado toast).

On-site and attached restaurants/venues:

• Rosa Mexicana — Connected via the mezzanine; also accessible from street level
• PJ Clark's — Iconic American restaurant/pub
• Starbucks — Street-level, attached to the building
• Amarino — Gelateria

The mezzanine doubles as a lounge/hangout area. The lobby level has a bar setup, though it's not yet serving alcohol.

The Room — Room 428, King Corner Room

Layout & Size: A spacious corner room — one of the largest hotel rooms I've encountered in New York City. I measured roughly 21 steps from the living area to the front door; most NYC hotel rooms average 10–13 steps. Two windows provide natural light from two directions.

Bedroom:

• King-size bed — clean, new-looking mattress with no visible issues
• Firm mattress (some may find it too firm)
• USB charging ports added to the room
• Individual AC units (two in the room, one per window) — not central air

Living Area:

• Sofa that pulls out as a queen-size sofa bed
• Lounge chair
• Office/work desk with hotel-branded stationery and telephone
• Three-drawer dresser
• Décor described as rustic with some visible wear and tear, though clean

Closet Area (open, with curtain):

• In-room safe
• Mini fridge (empty at check-in)
• Two complimentary water bottles provided at check-in
• Iron and full-length ironing board (plus a second mini ironing board)

Views:

• Window 1: Upper West Side, The Smith restaurant
• Window 2: Lincoln Center directly across the street

Wi-Fi Speed Test:

• Download: 46 Mbps
• Upload: 40 Mbps

Bathroom

• Newly renovated appearance — clean, no visible dirt or hair
• Rainfall and handheld shower combo (no tub)
• Slightly larger than average, likely due to corner room position
• Amenities: Gallimard body wash, shampoo, and conditioner
• Two sets of towels in multiple sizes provided
• Hair dryer available
• Exposed beam detail adds to the rustic aesthetic

Gym (Lower Level)

• Standard hotel gym setup: 2 ellipticals, 2 treadmills, bike machines, exercise balls
• Water dispenser and restroom on-site
• Clean, retro red-and-polka-dot aesthetic
• Towels not stocked during visit (likely replenished in the morning)

Rooftop Bar

The rooftop bar is an iconic, well-known spot with views of Lincoln Center and the Upper West Side. Note: it operates as a separate entity from the hotel and has its own dedicated entrance and elevator — hotel guests must go through the lobby to a different elevator to access it. The iconic "Hotel Empire" sign is visible from the rooftop.

Location

• 30 seconds on foot to Lincoln Center
• 5–10 minutes walking to Central Park and Columbus Circle
• 10–15 minutes walking to Midtown/Times Square
• Close to Hell's Kitchen, Target, and a variety of Upper West Side restaurants and shops

Overnight Notes

The AC units were notably loud — both had to be unplugged overnight to sleep. On the fourth floor, street noise was also audible.

Pricing

Stayed during low season. Rate was approximately under $150/night (exact figure shown on-screen in video). A $150 hold was authorized at check-in, to be released 3–5 business days after checkout.

Final Ratings

Note: The rooftop bar is a separate company and rated independently.

Verdict

The Empire Hotel is dated — renovations from around 2000 didn't address everything, and it shows. The AC noise made sleeping difficult, and the fourth floor isn't ideal for light sleepers. The room size is genuinely impressive for NYC, and the location next to Lincoln Center is excellent. However, at a similar price point, there are better-maintained hotels in the nearby Midtown and Times Square area worth considering.

Not recommended for family and friends — this is the reviewer's second 2.5-star rating across all hotels reviewed.