The Gotham Hotel Rating: 4.0 Pearls

Midtown East, Manhattan, New York City

Lobby of the Gotham Hotel

For newcomers, this narrow Midtown hotel is easy to miss: There is no formal check-in desk, and the doorman seems out of place. Is this someone’s home or an art gallery? No, it’s a modern boutique hotel in a former bookstore. Upon arrival guests are offered a glass of wine while they continue with a paperless check-in process. Arriving to New York City can be a stressful process, after all, and the team at Gotham places a lot of importance on making guests feel comfortable. The rest of the main floor consists of nothing more than a set of elevators, business center, and a restaurant/lounge in the rear. The simple layout makes the most of the limited space -- it’s chic, and oh-so New York.

View on a Larger Map

The Gotham Hotel has a central Midtown location close to corporate headquarters and flagship stores. Located on 46th Street, the bookish vibe provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of nearby sightseeing. NBC Studios, Rockefeller Center, the New York Public Library, and Bryant Park are within walking distance. Other area attractions include Saks Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Radio City Music Hall. For caffeine addicts, a cafe next door serves espresso drinks and pastries.

• 20-minute drive to LaGuardia Airport
• 30-minute drive to JFK International Airport
• One block from Fifth Avenue for shopping
• 6-minute walk to Rockefeller Center and NBC Studios
• 7-minute walk to Grand Central Station
• 9-minute walk to Times Square and the Theater District
• 10-minute walk to the B, D, F, M subway lines
• 10-minute walk to the Museum of Modern Art
• 11 minutes by subway or 21-minute walk to Columbus Circle
• 14-minute walk to Central Park
• 15 minutes by subway to the American Museum of Natural History
• 15 minutes by subway to Penn Station
• 21 minutes by bus to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
• 24 minutes by subway to Battery Park, where the ferry terminal to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is located
• 27 minutes by subway to South Street Seaport, a waterfront shop and restaurant hub in the Financial District

Balcony from the Gotham Two Room

The Gotham Hotel is one of the skinniest hotels in Manhattan. There are only two to four rooms per floor, so the chances of running into other guests while waiting for the elevators are slim. All rooms come with private balconies or terraces, and two of the floors have larger communal terraces that can be reserved for drinks and/or private dinners.

• 400 thread count linens and plush terrycloth bathrobes
• Balconies or terraces
• iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs with multi-media connectivity
• Minibars and a selection of top-shelf liquors
• Work desks and ergonomic chairs
• Books stationed in each room to fit with the literary theme
• Toiletries by C.O. Bigelow
• Coffeemakers with free coffee and tea
• Turndown service with fresh fruit
• Central air and heat
• Free Wi-Fi

19th floor terrace with view of city

• A comfortable lobby with free wine upon arrival
• Paperless check-in process
• Business center with printer use
• Free access to a neighborhood sports center
• In-room spa treatments available
• Free Wi-Fi
• Books placed around the hotel and rooms, purchased from Housing Works, a non-profit organization
• Two terraces with city views for drinks and/or private dinners
• Pet-friendly hotel with dog walking available
• Same-day laundry and dry-cleaning service
• Valet parking, though fees are high
• View Full List of Amenities

The dining room and bar of Tenpenny

It’s impossible to miss the wooden doors leading to the atmospheric restaurant and lounge on the main floor of the hotel. Tenpenny is windowless, save for a rare skylight in the rear, and decor includes brick walls, reclaimed-wood floors, walnut tables, and rustic lamps. The stone bar can seat up to 12 for cocktails, and menu items include artisanal cheeses, oysters, pasta dishes, and New American additions such as pork belly croquettes and ocean trout crudo.