Pros

  • Fantastic location close to Times Square and popular Broadway theaters
  • Modern, light-filled lobby with views of Times Square
  • Airy restaurant and bar with modern decor and an outdoor terrace
  • 24-hour Pavilion Pantry with numerous snacks and beverages
  • Some corner rooms have direct views of Times Square
  • Close to many subway lines, including Grand Central Station
  • Direct view of New Year’s Eve ball drop from some rooms and public spaces
  • Free Wi-Fi
See More Pros

Cons

  • The lobby can become congested during prime check-in/out times
  • The breakfast buffet can become crowded, requiring waiting in line
  • Rooms facing the street on the lower levels receive street noise
  • Some rooms have little space between the bed and wall/window
  • Armoires instead of closets reduce the amount of storage space
  • No valet parking or discounted off-site parking
  • Room service has limited hours
  • The hotel holds a private event on New Year’s Eve that closes its public spaces
See More Cons

Bottom Line

Opened in 2014, the Hilton Garden Inn is a mid-range, 282-room chain hotel with spiffy modern decor and dead-on views of Times Square from the public spaces and some of the rooms. Tourists and business travelers (especially those with Hilton Honors points) are attracted to the hotel for its location and budget-friendly rates. Rooms are on the small size with somewhat bland decor but they are brightened by floor-to-ceiling windows that let in the light and the city views.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Garden Inn New York – Times Square Central

Scene

A mid-range chain hotel that emphasizes location and views all the while catering to tourists and business travelers

All is relatively calm from inside the glass-enclosed lobby and restaurant at the 36-story Hilton Garden Inn. Soaring ceilings and floors are finished with long stretches of honey-colored wood. Gray sofas blend with dark wood and chrome tables adorned with whimsical touches such as tiny white bird ornaments and bright pink orchids. There are a large-screen TV set above a gas fireplace, a business nook with three computers, and a separate pantry alcove packed with neatly arranged snacks and beverages, a set-up that trumps the average hotel room minibar. The white stone wall accents are a surprisingly high-style touch; in fact, the decor throughout the lobby and restaurant is more stylish than one might expect from a mid-range chain. 

Throughout the day, the lobby ebbs and flows with activity. The overall vibe is both touristy (guests may include groups of ladies en-route to a Broadway matinee) and business-friendly. Suit-wearing guests settle in at the white stone bar beneath a series of chandeliers that resemble the famous ball that drops from the nearby spire on New Year's Eve. While the lobby is truly the hub of the hotel, offering guests many reasons to stay, the hotel's biggest reason to leave is right outside the floor-to-ceiling windows -- the vibrant, pulsating lights of Times Square and the tempting entertainment of Broadway's Theater District.

See More Scene

Location

In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, steps to Times Square and Broadway Theaters

The enormous flashing media screen above the entrance to the Hilton Garden Inn announces the hotel's prominent location, just a few steps from Broadway and the action of Times Square. Directly across the street is the sleek 4 Times Square skyscraper and the adjacent Aureole, an upscale restaurant from celebrity chef Charlie Palmer. Guests can follow the flashing lights to find the sights and restaurants of Times Square, including the famous ball drop location at One Times Square. Flags and banners hang from lamp posts and buildings along the block, advertising nearby Broadway shows. Also within reach by walking is Rockefeller Center, the shops of Fifth Avenue, and the Empire State Building.

  • Two-minute walk to Times Square
  • Two-minute walk to Bryant Park
  • Six-minute walk to the Port Authority
  • 10-minute walk to Grand Central Terminal
  • 10-minute walk to Rockefeller Plaza
  • 13-minute walk to Penn Station
  • 14-minute walk to the Empire State Building
  • 14-minute walk to the Museum of Modern Art
  • 30-minute drive to LaGuardia International Airport
  • 40-minute drive to JFK International Airport
See More Location

Rooms

Tidy, with views of Times Square, plenty of modern amenities, and ho-hum decor

The hotel offers 282 guest rooms neatly tucked along the narrow hallways of the building's 36 floors. Unlike the lobby and restaurant, which are warm and inviting, the rooms are bland and cold in their design -- somewhat of a disappointment considering the hotel's colorful location. Still, they're contemporary in style, and feature king, queen, or two double beds finished neatly with white linens and ivory leather headboards. 

The main piece of furniture is a cohesive dark brown wood unit that incorporates the desk with ergonomic chair (a nice splurge), TV, and armoires, which take the place of closets and offer just enough room to hang a coat and a couple of out-on-the-town outfits. The nightstands by the bed blend are attached to the headboard panel. Modern amenities are impressive for this caliber of hotel, and include 50-inch flat-screen TVs (possibly the largest we've seen at a mid-range property), Keurig coffeemakers, mini-refrigerators, microwaves, adjustable lighting, and Wi-Fi with secure remote printing to the hotel’s business center.

Bathrooms are awash in neutral tile and stone countertops with glass shelving to display and store toiletries, plenty of white towels, and Neutrogena bath products. Large vanities offer storage below and glass enclosed showers are large enough to turn around, with bathrooms in some of the corner rooms offering voyeuristic-worthy windows that look out to Times Square.

All of the rooms have large, floor-to-ceiling windows framed in silvery steel. Some, especially those on the corners of the building, feature fabulous city skyline or Times Square views (including views of the New Year’s Eve festivities and midnight ball drop).

See More Rooms

Features

A lively restaurant and bar, fitness center, guest laundry, and a business nook

There are hundreds of restaurants within walking distance, including the posh Aureole right across the street, but the Hilton Garden Inn's restaurant seems to keep guests happy with its generous breakfast buffet along with a lively bar, outdoor terrace, and options for lunch and dinner. It's decorated in a chic style with lots of natural wood contrasted by bright yellow leather chairs, shiny chandeliers, and oversized black and white photgraphs of iconic New York landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge. Those looking for a simple snack instead of a sit-down meal can pop into the pantry, a tiny space stocked with treats and beverages and meal substitutes such as Cup of Noodles, which can be prepared in the microwaves in the guest rooms. Other features include:

  • A lower-level gym that uses a gorgeous mural to hide the fact that there are no windows
  • A three-computer business nook with a printer that can be accessed via Wi-Fi
  • Concierge and theater ticket desk
See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Garden Inn New York – Times Square Central

Scene

A mid-range chain hotel that emphasizes location and views all the while catering to tourists and business travelers

All is relatively calm from inside the glass-enclosed lobby and restaurant at the 36-story Hilton Garden Inn. Soaring ceilings and floors are finished with long stretches of honey-colored wood. Gray sofas blend with dark wood and chrome tables adorned with whimsical touches such as tiny white bird ornaments and bright pink orchids. There are a large-screen TV set above a gas fireplace, a business nook with three computers, and a separate pantry alcove packed with neatly arranged snacks and beverages, a set-up that trumps the average hotel room minibar. The white stone wall accents are a surprisingly high-style touch; in fact, the decor throughout the lobby and restaurant is more stylish than one might expect from a mid-range chain. 

Throughout the day, the lobby ebbs and flows with activity. The overall vibe is both touristy (guests may include groups of ladies en-route to a Broadway matinee) and business-friendly. Suit-wearing guests settle in at the white stone bar beneath a series of chandeliers that resemble the famous ball that drops from the nearby spire on New Year's Eve. While the lobby is truly the hub of the hotel, offering guests many reasons to stay, the hotel's biggest reason to leave is right outside the floor-to-ceiling windows -- the vibrant, pulsating lights of Times Square and the tempting entertainment of Broadway's Theater District.

See More Scene

Location

In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, steps to Times Square and Broadway Theaters

The enormous flashing media screen above the entrance to the Hilton Garden Inn announces the hotel's prominent location, just a few steps from Broadway and the action of Times Square. Directly across the street is the sleek 4 Times Square skyscraper and the adjacent Aureole, an upscale restaurant from celebrity chef Charlie Palmer. Guests can follow the flashing lights to find the sights and restaurants of Times Square, including the famous ball drop location at One Times Square. Flags and banners hang from lamp posts and buildings along the block, advertising nearby Broadway shows. Also within reach by walking is Rockefeller Center, the shops of Fifth Avenue, and the Empire State Building.

  • Two-minute walk to Times Square
  • Two-minute walk to Bryant Park
  • Six-minute walk to the Port Authority
  • 10-minute walk to Grand Central Terminal
  • 10-minute walk to Rockefeller Plaza
  • 13-minute walk to Penn Station
  • 14-minute walk to the Empire State Building
  • 14-minute walk to the Museum of Modern Art
  • 30-minute drive to LaGuardia International Airport
  • 40-minute drive to JFK International Airport
See More Location

Rooms

Tidy, with views of Times Square, plenty of modern amenities, and ho-hum decor

The hotel offers 282 guest rooms neatly tucked along the narrow hallways of the building's 36 floors. Unlike the lobby and restaurant, which are warm and inviting, the rooms are bland and cold in their design -- somewhat of a disappointment considering the hotel's colorful location. Still, they're contemporary in style, and feature king, queen, or two double beds finished neatly with white linens and ivory leather headboards. 

The main piece of furniture is a cohesive dark brown wood unit that incorporates the desk with ergonomic chair (a nice splurge), TV, and armoires, which take the place of closets and offer just enough room to hang a coat and a couple of out-on-the-town outfits. The nightstands by the bed blend are attached to the headboard panel. Modern amenities are impressive for this caliber of hotel, and include 50-inch flat-screen TVs (possibly the largest we've seen at a mid-range property), Keurig coffeemakers, mini-refrigerators, microwaves, adjustable lighting, and Wi-Fi with secure remote printing to the hotel’s business center.

Bathrooms are awash in neutral tile and stone countertops with glass shelving to display and store toiletries, plenty of white towels, and Neutrogena bath products. Large vanities offer storage below and glass enclosed showers are large enough to turn around, with bathrooms in some of the corner rooms offering voyeuristic-worthy windows that look out to Times Square.

All of the rooms have large, floor-to-ceiling windows framed in silvery steel. Some, especially those on the corners of the building, feature fabulous city skyline or Times Square views (including views of the New Year’s Eve festivities and midnight ball drop).

See More Rooms

Features

A lively restaurant and bar, fitness center, guest laundry, and a business nook

There are hundreds of restaurants within walking distance, including the posh Aureole right across the street, but the Hilton Garden Inn's restaurant seems to keep guests happy with its generous breakfast buffet along with a lively bar, outdoor terrace, and options for lunch and dinner. It's decorated in a chic style with lots of natural wood contrasted by bright yellow leather chairs, shiny chandeliers, and oversized black and white photgraphs of iconic New York landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge. Those looking for a simple snack instead of a sit-down meal can pop into the pantry, a tiny space stocked with treats and beverages and meal substitutes such as Cup of Noodles, which can be prepared in the microwaves in the guest rooms. Other features include:

  • A lower-level gym that uses a gorgeous mural to hide the fact that there are no windows
  • A three-computer business nook with a printer that can be accessed via Wi-Fi
  • Concierge and theater ticket desk
See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Business Center

  • Concierge

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.