Millennium Broadway Hotel — Hotel Review Rating: 3.5 Pearls

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Oyster Hotel Review

Reporter: John P.
Updated: December 18, 2009

 Scene

This 625-room property is a big, basic midrange hotel located half a block from the heart of Times Square. It tends to attract tourists who come to catch Broadway shows and TV tapings, as well as business travelers, many (or perhaps most) of them attending events in the hotel's 110,000-square-foot conference center.

The rooms are reasonably clean and functional but generic and starting to show some wear and tear. And except for the large, clean, 24-hour fitness center, the hotel is short on amenities. The lobby bar and on-site Restaurant Charlotte are serviceable but certainly not go-to destinations -- inoffensive places to meet someone for a quick drink or grab a bite in a pinch, but nothing more.

By far the Millennium's biggest asset is its location, but you can likely do better even in the immediate vicinity -- and certainly if you're willing to make just a short walk away from Times Square. If a Times Square location is paramount, check rates at the Renaissance Times Square, which offers much fresher design, more comfortable beds, and an attentive staff, all for similar prices.

 Service

Service is typical of that at most large midrange hotels in New York -- that is to say, requests generally receive efficient, competent responses, but the staff doesn't dote or take much initiative. The doormen will grab your bags at the curb and haul them to the front desk. But this is not the kind of place where they'll remember your name.

Check-in was businesslike: quick and impersonal. The concierge, who is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., is adept at handling typical tourist requests like suggesting restaurants, making reservations, and obtaining tickets to Broadway shows. I called the front desk to order some extra towels, and they arrived at my door in an impressive four minutes. I made another call for toothpaste, and it was delivered in about 10 minutes.

 Location

Near the center of the theater district and a five-minute walk from the world-famous shopping on Fifth Avenue, the Millennium's location is its primary asset. Just half a block from the front door of the Millennium, throngs of tourists navigate the crowded intersections of Times Square. At times it can be hard to cross the street because of all the people.

Virtually every subway line in the city runs through Times Square, so getting uptown to Central Park or downtown to, say, Greenwich Village or Wall Street is easy. A big chunk of Times Square was recently closed to automobile traffic, but cabs are still close at hand at virtually all times of the day or night. There are countless restaurants around the hotel, ranging from mediocre tourist traps to fine-dining establishments that draw pre- and post-theater crowds.

 Airport Transportation

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.

 Rooms

Despite a handful of faux Art Deco touches, including heavily veneered night tables and desks, amber glass lamps, and a couple of deep leather club chairs, the rooms look and feel pretty generic. The one exception: the view, which isn't exactly awe-inspiring -- it looks out onto a few shiny new skyscrapers, including the Conde Nast building -- but is at least characteristic of New York.

The king-size bed was firm -- some would say too firm. I didn't mind it for a night, but it didn't make for a particularly pleasant night's sleep. Nor did the accoutrements: The wrinkled bottom sheet barely covered the mattress; and the comforter was thin, wrinkled, and worn out.

The brown rug was also stained and worn in a few areas, especially where the doors swing open.

The bathroom is clean and functional but, like the rest of the room, extremely generic.

The minibar comes stocked with the usual overpriced munchies, nips of booze, juices, and soda.

Wi-Fi is available in the rooms for $12.95 per day.

The large Samsung flat-screen TV works fine and get about 60 channels.

 Features

The fitness center is clean and has a half-dozen cardio machines, each with their own television, and shiny new free weights. It's open 24 hours a day.

The surprisingly sparse business center (given the sizable business contingent attending events in the 110,000 square feet of conference facilities) consists of a few computers on the second floor of the lobby. Most business travelers will stay in their rooms and use the Wi-Fi service, which costs $12.95 per day.

 Family

Though the hotel itself doesn't offer much in the way of kid-focused appeal, the Times Square area offers tons of family-friendly restaurants and attractions. The hotel can provide cribs for free or rollaways for $35 a night, and will arrange baby sitting. The room-service menu also includes children's fare.

During my stay, the hotel was offering a family "funcation" package that included tickets to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and gift certificates to Cold Stone Creamery. Many tourist hotels offer similar deals, but they're worth noting if you plan to visit those attractions anyway. Check the hotel website for up-to-date information.

For some solid alternatives, check our slideshow of family-friendly New York hotels.

 Cleanliness

The hotel is kept reasonably clean and sanitary, but this is a high-volume property and it shows. The rug in my room was stained and worn in some places.

 Food

For reliable suggestions, check out New York magazine's online restaurant guide, where you can search by neighborhood, price range, and type of cuisine.

 Bottom Line

A big-box Times Square hotel where guests pay (arguably overpay) for location. If you simply must stay in Times Square, this hotel's competent service, big fitness center, and 24-hour room service make it a decent pick. But the rooms are disappointing, with generic decor, just tolerable beds, and worn-out carpeting.