Hilton Garden Inn New York/Midtown Park Ave

The Hilton Garden Inn Midtown/Park Avenue has more character than one might expect from a large chain hotel situated in the middle of New York City. In the large lobby, there are several different sitting areas and each has its own vibe, more reminiscent of a lounge than a Hilton reception area. The Ainsworth bar and restaurant is dark and swanky, with tufted leather banquettes, dark wood, retro wallpaper, and beautiful glass chandeliers that give off romantic lighting. Its terrace, open in nice weather, is a great place to enjoy a drink alfresco -- just as the locals do. It's a large property and constantly buzzes with travelers coming and going. The hotel caters to all types of guests, including families who want to be near major attractions, and singles or couples who like to feed off the energy in this part of town. 

This Hilton Garden Hotel is situated in a busy part of Midtown, in an area full of restaurants, big name shopping and some of the city’s main tourist attractions. The Empire State Building is less than a five-minute walk, and Grand Central Terminal, the Flatiron Building, and Herald Square are reachable on foot in 10 to 15 minutes. Times Square is walkable in under 20 minutes, though that may be too far for some travelers to reach on foot. Public transportation abounds, with multiple subway and bus lines running within a few blocks of the hotel, which makes the uptown sights like Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art reachable in about 20 minutes. While it may seem like the Hilton Garden is smack in the middle of the action, there are some beautiful residential buildings and small businesses scattered around the area for those who might want to wander off the beaten path. Transportation to the airport is most easily done by shuttle or taxi, and depending on traffic (and which airport) can take between 30 to 60 minutes. JFK Airport can be reached by subway in about 75 minutes, while Newark Liberty Airport takes around an hour to reach by train. 

Rooms at the Hilton Garden Midtown are clean, modern, and attractive, if not particularly memorable. The decor is a palette of wood and gray, but the cloudy colors on the walls and furnishings creates a tasteful and sophisticated atmosphere. Views depend on the vantage point and floor, with some rooms on higher floors lucking out with good skyscraper views. None of the rooms or suites could be defined as spacious, but small rooms are typical in New York hotels (especially in this category and at this price point). All rooms have a 32-inch flatscreen TV, mini refrigerators, microwaves and coffeemakers. They also all have a work desk with access to 24-hour printing service through the hotel’s business center downstairs. Some rooms are set up to be wheelchair accessible. Wi-Fi is free in rooms, as it is throughout the rest of the hotel. The decor is similar in the bathrooms, which are also painted gray, and are modern and simple, with toiletries provided. While things do stay relatively quiet in the rooms, some guests have reported noise from heating and air-conditioning. 

The features at this hotel are pretty typical for an upper-middle-range property in New York, with several of them offering 24-hour access, including a fitness center, lobby convenience store, and business center. The fitness center is small for a hotel of this size, but has a number of treadmills, elliptical machines, and weights. The business center has a few computers and a wireless printing service available from the rooms. A highlight feature at the Hilton Garden is the hotel bar and restaurant, The Ainsworth, which serves American cuisine and where a terrace is open in warmer weather for enjoying drinks outside. Breakfast can be included in some rates, but there are fees for additional guests and the quality is less impressive than the restaurant offerings. Several meeting rooms are available for various events, and they’re sleek-looking and spacious. Laundry service and a laundry room are also available for guests, and the hotel goes to special lengths to ensure amenities and rooms are accessible for wheelchairs. Effort is also put into making the hotel kid-friendly, with menus, high chairs, and cribs. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.