Grand Hyatt New York Rating: 3.5 Pearls

Midtown East, Manhattan, New York City

Conference setup in the Ballroom

With 1,311 guest rooms, five ballrooms, 45 conference rooms, and nearly 1,000 staff members to keep everything straight and tidy, the Grand Hyatt is a contstantly bustling large chain hotel. Located on busy 42nd Street, and next to the landmarked and equally busy Grand Central Terminal, the Grand Hyatt suits both small and large parties for both work and vacation.

But the lobby is cool, even stylish, with its marble fountain and brushed copper columns. (It will be even more stylish in 2011 after the hotel completes a $130 million renovation; the lobby is due to get museum-quality art, new leather seating, and new lighting.) ; The lobby music is of the light and easy variety -- let’s just call it "corporate jazz." Decorations change by season. For the U.S. Open, plumes of oversize tennis rackets and balls adorn the lobby. For Christmas, there are oversize and colorful gifts. When I visited, I was overwhelmed by the spring motif -- bird nests and birdhouses, even though it was the middle of February and only 30 degrees outside.

The architecture firm Warren + Westmore, which also designed Grand Central Terminal, took elements of the famous commuter rail hub and placed them in the hotel. In the ballroom foyer, for example, guests might notice faux limestone meant to mimic the real thing just next door.

Originally named the Commodore Hotel after "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, the property first opened in 1919 and offered accommodations for $2.50 a night with the slogan: "A room and a bath for two and half." Financier Donald Trump made the Hyatt his first pet project when he took over ownership in 1980 (and raised the prices accordingly).

Concierge desk

At the front desk, there were only two staff members present and a long line that felt reminiscent of check-in at most major airports -- about eight kiosks for automated check-in sat unused. Once I had checked in, a porter escorted me to my room with a big smile and offered to get me whatever I needed.

The concierge can arrange for Broadway shows, city tours, restaurant reservations, and pretty much any leisure request that comes in. Most vacationing guests use their services as a stress-free way to obtain theater tickets and avoid the hassle of TKTS.

Though the hotel recently laid off 10 percent of its staff, I didn't feel the pinch during my stay. Extra towels showed up in five minutes, and a pot of coffee was delivered to my room in less than 15 minutes. Overall, I found hotel staff attentive and helpful, and most guests agree.

View on a Larger Map

To say that 42nd Street between Park and Lexington avenues is busy would be a gross understatement. Sitting directly next to Grand Central Terminal -- and its five subway lines -- means the Grand Hyatt is smack in the middle of one of the most constantly congested and transient hubs of the city. Because of this, police officers and security are always plentiful, and the hotel's block is fairly safe.

However, because the neighborhood is primarily a business district, visitors will be hard-pressed to find restaurants and cafes at the end of the business day, unless they head next door to Grand Central Station. Across the street is world-famous Cipriani, but it operates for the business set and isn't even open on the weekends.

Several big-chain retailers are connected to Grand Central Station. From Banana Republic to Strawberry's to Kenneth Cole, the shops on this block keep early hours with the hopes of catching a commuter with time to kill. During the winter holiday season, Grand Central Terminal hosts one of the city's many craft and artisan fairs.

There are several other points of interest in the vicinity. With its iconic stone lions, Patience and Fortitude, the New York Public Library's main branch is not just an old building filled with books. The library hosts a wide range free events and exhibitions during the day as well as evening. Plus, the wedding scene in the "Sex and the City" movie occured on the library's grand staircase.

Just behind the library is Bryant Park, the famed green space for the midtown working world. Movable tables and chairs create a French-style park where visitors picnic (there is always a long line at the 'wichcraft sandwich kiosk) and hang out. A carousel, imported from France, belts out Edith Piaf. Bryant Park transforms into an ice skating rink during the winter and holds a popular film series in the summer.

New York City has three nearby airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark (in New Jersey). Getting into town from JFK or LaGuardia is usually more convenient than from Newark, but travel times are heavily dependent on the time of day and traffic conditions. From JFK, a taxi to anywhere in Manhattan costs a flat rate of $45 and takes around an hour in average conditions. From LaGuardia, a metered cab ride to midtown Manhattan costs about $40 and can take 30 minutes if traffic is light, three times that if it's bad. Rides from Newark cost at least $40 plus tolls and can take more than 90 minutes. It's customary to tip your driver 15 to 25 percent.

Those looking to save some cash can use the privately run shuttle buses that are available at all three airports for about $14 per person. For more information on the shuttles, go to Super Shuttle or New York Airport Service. Public transit is also available 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 stairways.

For mass-transit directions right to the hotel, check out HopStop.com.

The Deluxe King Room

The rooms at the Grand Hyatt don't offer much by way of ambience, but they are clean, comfortable, and functional. The hotel is in the process of renovating them, however, and the 150 that have been revamped so far feature sleek, contemporary decor with frabrics in shades of champagne and plum.

The 250-square-foot standard room was a little bit larger than the average New York City hotel room (most rooms in this city come in about 200 square feet), while the executive single, at 266 square feet, might be considered a mansion by comparison. The VIP suites have multiple rooms (they’re like the standard rooms, plus a living area with a dining space) and are ideal for families or longer stays.

All rooms come with a lightly lofted king-size bed or two full-size beds, with a pillow-top mattress, very soft sheets, and a medium-weight down blanket.

For electronics, all rooms include an iHome iPod docking station with excellent sound quality, a cordless phone, and a 32-inch LG flat-screen TV with built-in video games and movie options.

All rooms include large work desks and a comfortable desk chair. Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and can be purchased online for a day rate of $9.99. From my room, I had an excellent signal.

Windows come soundproofed, but unlike at many of the midtown tower hotels, you can open the window and let in a breeze. About half of the rooms have a view of 42nd Street, and I could catch a glimpse of Grand Central Station from my room.

But the soundproofing between rooms is less reliable. I woke up several times to the sound of my neighbor’s infant crying. Other guests also complained about the noise level.

The bathrooms are as basic as they come, but they’re mostly kept clean. The drain in my bathtub was a little rusty. Portico-brand bath products are in the shower, which smelled slightly synthetic.

Stay Fit Ftiness Center

There is a well-equipped fitness center on the penthouse level. There are plenty of treadmills, LifeCycle cardio bikes, Stairmasters, StairClimbers, assorted weight-training equipment, and free weights, all of which are brand-new. The cardio equipment also has built-in TVs. Towel service and filtered water are available. Guest services is happy to coordinate with several local gyms to set up a trainer, or you can watch an on-demand yoga instruction video on the TV in your room for between $2 and $5. Mat rental is free; guests only need to call down and have one sent up. The Yoga Sutra studio is just a few blocks away, and the hotel even offers $5 coupons.

The business center is armed to handle a high volume of worker bees staying at the hotel, with several PCs, printers, and fax machines, and a helpful staff member on hand for anything else. Wi-Fi is available throughout the building for $9.99 per day.

Some parents may find the hustle and bustle of 42nd Street to be a bit much with kids, but those who are brave --and patient -- enough will find the neighborhood exciting for the little ones.

The Commodore Grill offers a kids menu, and the simple American buffet-style fare should bode well with finicky kids.

Cribs are listed as available, but they are actually playpens, so some parents won't be satisfied with this hotel's offerings. Rollaway beds are available at no extra charge, but the hotel won't guarantee them until check-in. None of the couches in the suites opens up into a bed.

Rooms are generally in excellent condition, and the lobby is well maintained.

Manhattan Sky Restaurant

• New York Central restaurant and bar serves upscale western European-inspired fare, such as a pancetta and marrow burger or braised short rib with Manchego polenta, from an acclaimed chef. It replaced Manhattan Sky Restaurant in November 2010.
• Market, a gourmet to-go venue in the lobby open 24 hours a day, offers treats from Chickalicious, Tisserie, and Roasting Plant (all local favorites), as well as hot meals and salads.
• 24-hour room service available
• The Lounge, a stylish spot with leather seating and an open kitchen, serves cocktails and lite bites.
• The Commodore Grill serves American buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner for guests only. Though the ambience is nice, the food was bland and a little pricey. The Commodore Lounge features 10 signature cocktails, including the "Manhattan Girl Cosmo."