6 Columbus Rating: 3.5 Pearls

Midtown West, Manhattan, New York City

The Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill

It opened in October 2007, but 6 Columbus Circle still feels like a sleek new hotel. The small lobby is bright and retro-futuristic -- sort of like Blade Runner meets The Jetsons. Front desk clerks receive guests behind a cool, glowing glass desk in the shag carpeted lobby outfitted with sky blue mod chairs. The modern feel extends through the hallways, where rooms are marked by metallic numbers, backlit by glowing blue light. But it doesn't quite feel like a space craft -- the warm wood, gray carpets, and hall smelling of sandalwood and shea butter keep it from seeming overly sterile.

But this isn't quite a high-end hangout hotel like other Thompson properties, namely the SoHo flagship, 60 Thompson, or the Financial District newcomer, Gild Hall. The small lobby and bar remained empty for most of my stay. Located in Midtown West, a less trendy neighborhood more popular for its corporate skyscrapers than chichi boutiques, most guests are here on business.

Room service

In general, service is friendly and prompt. When I asked for ice, towels, even the New York Times on Sunday evening, everything came to my room in about five minutes. When I asked the front desk where to jog in the morning, the doorman chimed in and gave me detailed advice about which route to follow in Central Park (and asked how it went when I got back). Though concierge work seems to be a team effort here, they get the job done.

• Daily delivery of The New York Times
• 24-hour concierge services
• Room service from Blue Ribbon Sushi, available from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m.

View on a Larger Map

Located just off Columbus Circle in Midtown West, a busy traffic circle on the southwest corner of Central Park. Several corporate skyscrapers are on the circle, like Time Warner Center, Trump Tower, and Lincoln Center. The Theatre District and the lights of Times Square begin just a few blocks south of the hotel.

By subway, the hotel has access to virtually anywhere in the city. A subway station across from the doorstep is served by the A, B, C, and D trains. The N, Q, R, and W lines are two blocks away, and the F train is three blocks away. Also, guests should have no problem hailing a cab anywhere in Columbus Circle.

On a technical note, 6 Columbus is right next to Columbus Circle. But despite what the hotel's website claims -- "Located on bustling Columbus Circle and across from legendary Central Park..." -- it's not actually located on the the circle. It's actually located at 339 58th Street, just off of the circle. This is important to remember when guiding cab drivers or dragging your suitcases around the busy streets.

The Pod Room

The 88 rooms are available in more than 10 types. The smallest -- the Pod room (175 square feet) -- only has enough room for a double-size bed and little else (there's no desk in the room). The space is limited, but the minimal, sleek custom-designed furniture makes enough space on the floor for a solo yoga routine in front of the TV. However, if you want to do any work in the room, your seating options are...the bed. Deluxe rooms and suites do offer desks, though; superior and deluxe rooms range from 200 to 350 square feet. Suites and penthouses (1,100 square feet) are even bigger, and feature full kitchens.

• 1960s mod décor from hip designer Steven Sclaroff in all rooms
• Beds range from full-size (in the Pod room) to a king (in the suites), and all have luxurious 400-thread count white sheets. Note that all Thompson hotels provide "European-style" sheet sets (a duvet cover replaces a top sheet).
• In-room Wi-Fi costs $10 per 24 hours
• Large, 32-inch flat-screen TVs with 31 channels including HBO, and pay-per-view movies
• iHome consoles (iPod dock, radio, and alarm clock in one)
• The sleek, yet small, bathrooms include C.O. Bigelow bath products and heated tile floors.
• Like many New York buildings, most rooms overlook an air shaft. Virtually no natural light comes into these rooms, due to the opaque glass windows (locked shut). Some rooms face the street, but tall buildings surround the hotel, so don't expect expansive views of the skyline found at bigger hotels like the W Times Square.
• Minibars stocked with Dean & Deluca delicacies, Terra Chips, and natural juices, as well as the standard set of beer, liquor, and other snacks

It's a small hotel, so features are scarce. There's no business center, or conference or meetings rooms, and the hotel's rooftop bar is currently under construction with no set date for completion.

Trying to be as chic as its downtown sisters, 6 Columbus isn't designed to suit families. That said, Midtown West is an ideal family spot.

Rooms are quiet, and cribs are available upon request, free of charge. Though Pod rooms might be a tight squeeze for families, there are many larger room options, including king suites and penthouses that have full kitchens. The concierge can arrange childcare if needed.

The bedding and towels are crisp, white, and spotless. There are no hidden dusty spots or dingy carpet edges. If the lack of a top sheet on the beds seems strange, rest assured that they wash the duvet cover daily. The only off-putting smells come from the strong candle aroma in the hallways.

The Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill

6 Columbus Circle features the Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill in its lobby, a restaurant that's as popular with locals as it is with hotel guests. It's one of eight Blue Ribbon restaurants in New York, each of which serves its own brand of fusion cuisine. This one, besides having great fresh sushi, won the title of best fried chicken in New York from New York magazine in 2008.

The rooftop bar is under construction. When it opens (date T.B.D.), it will have 360 views of the city, a retractable roof and heat lamps to make it a year-round affair.

Outside the hotel, there are loads of other options. For a quick bite, the massive natural grocery chain, Whole Foods Market, is located on Columbus Circle and has a somewhat pricey, but delicious, prepared food and deli selection.

A New York City yellow cab

New York has three nearby airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark (in New Jersey). Flying into JFK or LaGuardia is typically easiest and the least time-consuming. From JFK, it's a (one-hour) $45 flat-rate taxi ride to anywhere in Manhattan. From LaGuardia, it's about a (30-minute) $40 metered cab ride to Midtown Manhattan. Rides from Newark cost at least $40 (plus tolls), and can take more than 90 minutes. Don't forget to tip your driver 15-25 percent.

To save some cash, try the group shuttles that are available at all three airports for about $14/person. For more information on the shuttles, go to Super Shuttle or New York Airport Service. You can also take public transit from any of the airports for as little as $7 per person, but travel can take up to two hours and involve a lot of lugging bags up and down stairs. For mass-transit directions right to the hotel, check out HopStop.com.