Holiday Inn Manhattan – Financial District

This hotel opened in late 2014 as the world’s tallest Holiday Inn and with its location near Wall Street and almost 500 rooms, it stays busy. There are only three elevators servicing the 50 floors, so lengthy waits can be expected at certain peak times. The lobby is small and narrow, but it’s nicely decorated and has an intimate, cozy ambiance, with two-story bookcases along some walls that tower above tufted leather benches and armchairs. Clusters of modern brass chandeliers in geometric shapes give the lobby a bit of glitz, as do back-lit panels above the registration desk and on the upper portions of some walls. Wall paneling lines other walls, and some of the floors feature slate-gray tile. Screens displaying arrival/departure times for both JFK and LaGuardia airports are a convenient touch for the business and leisure travelers who stay here. 

This Holiday Inn is in the heart of Lower Manhattan’s Financial District. The Rector Street subway station is a one-minute walk away, and a few other stations can be reached in only a few minutes more. The hotel is surrounded by restaurants of all types, and there are various shops and bars nearby, too. Several landmarks are within a brief walk, including the New York Stock Exchange (three minutes), Trinity Church (four minutes), The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (seven minutes), Battery Park (10 minutes), and the Freedom Tower (11 minutes). Times Square and the Empire State Building are about 22 minutes by subway, and Central Park is half an hour away. JFK International Airport is approximately 70 minutes by subway or 60 minutes by taxi or shuttle, and LaGuardia International Airport is about 65 minutes by subway and 40 minutes by taxi or shuttle. 

Guest rooms at this Holiday Inn are fresh, modern, and clean -- but small. Dark brown is the dominant color, accented by orange bed throws and patterned carpets of light brown with a bit of orange. Contemporary art adds splashes of orange and yellow. Accent walls are painted dark brown, but the rest are off-white. Bedding is bright white, and the comfortable beds rest on light brown platforms, with padded headboards. All rooms come with safes, coffeemakers, and 39-inch smart TVs. Like the rooms, bathrooms are smallish but not cramped, with square, white ceramic sinks atop dark brown-wood vanities. All have either shower/tub combos or glass walk-in showers. Rooms on the higher floors tend to be quieter and offer better views; some even look out on the Freedom Tower. 

The amenities at this high-rise hotel are geared more toward business travelers, but still hold appeal to tourists. The St. George restaurant and bar resembles an old English tavern, with wood paneling and traditional wood chairs. It's open for breakfast (not included), lunch, and dinner. Room service is available, and there's a private dining room that can be used for small meetings, as well as a theater-like space for larger events. The business center is open 24/7 and includes printers and multiple computer stations with Internet access. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and daily newspaper delivery is provided to rooms. Concierge and valet dry-cleaning/laundry services are available, including same-day dry cleaning, and there are self-serve coin-operated laundry facilities on-site. The hotel has a fitness center, though it's sparsely equipped, with only a few cardio machines and free weights. An ATM is in the lobby, and there's a safe deposit box for guests at the front desk. No parking facilities are on-site, but guests receive a discount at a public garage less than one block away. The hotel is non-smoking, and no pets are allowed.