Hampton Inn Manhattan / Downtown – Financial District

This mid-range Hampton Inn caters to business travelers and tourists alike. The hotel is situated in a seven-story building with silver accents, and it has a small but stylish and colorful lobby, with a wood floor, gray walls, and a black granite reception desk. There's little seating here, but plenty in the connecting breakfast room-cum-lounge. It's an attractive space with trendy accents like a long, communal wood table with bar stools, checkered floor accents, and even a few couches with throw pillows in modern patterns. It feels a tad manufactured in typical chain hotel fashion, but it's clean and contemporary. With few common spaces, guests who stay here tend to be in it for the location more than extra amenities. 

The hotel is centrally located in Lower Manhattan in the heart of the Financial District, just a few blocks from Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange. The neighborhood is filled with corporate offices and bustles by day but it's fairly quiet at night and on weekends. Battery Park is just a few minutes' walk, and the hotel is within walking distance of ferries to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Staten Island, and to Governors Island. Cafes, bars, and restaurants are also in walking distance of the hotel. 

There's also public transportation close by, with South Ferry, Whitehall Street, and Bowling Green stations all a three-minute walk from the hotel. Most tourist attractions uptown and in Brooklyn are reachable in 30 minutes or less via subway. Guests should note that this hotel is located at 32 Pearl Street, not 320 Pearl Street where another Hampton Inn is situated.

• Three-minute walk to Battery Park
• Five-minute walk to Whitehall Terminal (Staten Island Ferry)
• Six-minute walk to the New York Stock Exchange
• Seven-minute walk to Battery Park Ferry Terminal
• 15-minute walk to the 9/11 Memorial
• 16-minute walk to Brooklyn Bridge
• 20 minutes to Barclays Center by subway
• 25 minutes to Empire State Building by subway
• 25 minutes to Times Square by subway
• 30 minutes to Museum of Modern Art by subway
• 34 minutes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art via public transit
• 60 minutes to JFK and LaGuardia Airport via public transit

Guest rooms are tastefully decorated with gray wall-to-wall carpeting, cream-colored and burnt ochre-accented walls, and caramel-colored wood furniture that includes desks, wardrobes, headboards, and side tables. It's ordinary but pleasant chain hotel decor. Units tend to be tight, which is typical for Manhattan, but they're not unreasonably sized, particularly considering the area. Bathrooms make good use of space, with some sink counter space, Neutrogena individual toiletries, and -- a big plus for many -- modern beige-tiled walk-in showers.

Rooms are air-conditioned and come with 32-inch HDTVs, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, and safes, but mini-fridges aren't standard, and there's basic Wi-Fi but premium-speed service costs extra (free for Hilton Honors members). Units have either King- or Queen-sized beds, and upgraded options add extra space, furnished terraces, and/or sofa beds. Rooms facing the street have better views; most other rooms face nearby buildings.

This property packs in a reasonable set of amenities for a mid-range hotel in the Financial District, where space comes at a premium. A free buffet breakfast is offered with hot and cold options, including a make-your-own waffle station. A grab-and-go choice is available on weekdays and coffee and tea is offered for free throughout the day, but there's no full-service restaurant or bar. The gym is tiny, with three cardio machines, a rack of free weights, and some medicine balls, and there's a business center with two computers and a printer for guest use. Guests find staff helpful and knowledgable about the area, and luggage storage is offered for free. Valet parking is the only option and it's pricey, but in line with what's standard for the area and for Manhattan. Standard Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel (premium-speed costs extra, but is free for Hilton Honors members). Pets are allowed for an extra fee.