Z Hotel Rating: 4.0 Pearls

Queens, New York City, New York

The Z Hotel is a welcome departure from the chain hotels that are prevalent in the area. It’s got an industrial-chic design with hipster-friendly touches and a sleek, modern look. The lobby is a small space packed with stylish and fun details, from the stacks of vintage trunks that make up the front desk, to the cool mural depicting the City Hall subway station, and the train station departure board above the elevators that welcomes guests in dozens of languages.

Down a flight of stairs is the hip lounge, with rustic-chic decor, a piano, and large second-story windows that let in natural light. Top 40, Jazz, and dance music is played all day at a reasonable volume, and there are DJ sessions on weekends. The lounge shares the space with the Diner 24/7 -- which is the hotel restaurant -- and with a solid rotating art program showcasing local artists. Continental breakfast is served here every morning for a fee.

One of the highlights of the hotel during the warmer months is the Z Roof, a hopping rooftop bar featuring 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline and Queens. Here, guests and non-guests can enjoy a drink or a pizza from the on-site pizza oven at night, or join a yoga class in the morning.

With its contemporary vibe, great perks, and location near many subway lines, the hotel draws all types of travelers -- from business travelers who want to be near the Midtown corporate offices, to couples looking to stay in a quieter locale and save some cash. While the hotel is not quite family-friendly, as it does not offer any specific activities for kids and does not have adjoining rooms, those traveling with young kids can book a Deluxe King Suite, which has a double futon.

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The hotel is located on a quiet, industrial block a little removed from the buzz in the more central areas of Long Island City. It’s not the most attractive block in the neighborhood, but it offers a convenient location equidistant from seven subway lines connecting both to Manhattan and Brooklyn. (This area is actually more conveniently located in terms of commuting to attractions than certain areas in the Upper West Side and Downtown.). The hotel also offers free shuttle service hourly to and from Manhattan.

There are tons of great restaurants and bars along and off Vernon Boulevard -- located less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel -- and there are several top-notch museums both within walking distance and a short subway ride away from the property.

Long Island City is the area in Queens closest to Manhattan. It is located right across the Queensboro bridge from Midtown (at 59th Street), and some believe it to be the new Williamsburg. It’s still quieter than Brooklyn, but rising housing prices have driven thousands of New Yorkers to this up-and-coming neighborhood, bringing it back to life with gleaming skyscrapers on the waterfront, restored historic houses, and beautiful parks offering gorgeous river and Manhattan views.

• Within an 8-minute walk to seven subway lines (E, F, G, M, N, Q and 7)
• Around the corner from the iconic Silvercup Studios
• 10-minute walk to MoMA PS1 museum (an outpost of the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan)
• 12-minute walk to restaurants and bars
• 15-minute walk to Gantry State Plaza Park
• 15-minute subway ride to MoMA
• 17-minute subway ride to Central Park
• 17-minute subway ride to Grand Central
• 20-minute subway ride to Times Square
• 21-minute subway ride to the Empire State Building
• 18-minute subway ride to the Museum of the Moving Image
• 13-minute drive to the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Z’s rooms are stylish and fun, with details such as Mason jars used as overhead lamps, funky wall murals, intimacy kits, and a contemporary black, silver and white color palette with red pops of color. The size is standard for Manhattan, but guests staying in hotels outside the city center tend to expect slightly larger rooms -- however, the striking floor-to-ceiling windows help rooms feel more spacious than they really are. And the views are exceptional from every single room.

There are three room types here: Double Twins, Queen Rooms, and Deluxe King Rooms. Twin and Queen rooms are the same size; Deluxe King Rooms are a little larger; feature a deep, rectangular European tubs instead of walk-in showers; and have the king bed facing the window. Other than that, the design and amenities are the same in all room types.

• Floor-to-ceiling windows with jaw-dropping views of the Manhattan skyline and Queensboro Bridge
• Large flat-screen TVs with cable channels
• Twin, queen or king feather beds with 300 thread-count cotton linens
• Stocked minibars with intimacy kits and champagne
• Essentiel Elements toiletries
• Rainfall showerheads
• Deluxe King Rooms have a double futon
• Free Wi-Fi
• Free international, local and domestic calls

• Diner 24/7 is actually not open 24 hours, but it is open until late at night. It offers a tapas menu, along with burgers, salads and desserts.
• Z Lounge serves cocktails until well into the night in a stylish space shared with the restaurant.
• Z Roof is a 5,000-square-foot rooftop bar open seasonally. It offers a drinks menu, a pizza oven, and sweeping views of Manhattan. Guests can access it year-round, but there's only service during the warmer months.
• Fee for continental breakfast
• No room service

• Free hourly shuttle service to/from Manhattan
• Free Wi-Fi throughout
• Free international, local, and domestic calls
• Free bike rentals
• Dogs under 20 pounds are welcome for a daily fee.
• Free use of the business center

The hotel does not offer a fitness center, but guests looking to work out can borrow bicycles, helmets, and locks at no extra charge. In the spring and summer months, the hotel offers rooftop yoga.