The Jewel facing Rockefeller Center

This hotel just off of Fifth Avenue attracts business travelers and tourists looking for easy access to offices and major sights in the area. It takes up a narrow building on 51st Street, and the small lobby has a 24-hour front desk and self-service check-in stations. (Service is limited, so this property is best suited for self-sufficient guests.) The space is small, so guests looking to lounge should head to the Living Room -- an extended lobby area on the second floor that contains cushy seating, free all-day coffee and tea, newspapers, and computer stations. Rockefeller Center is right across the street, so guests can enjoy its outdoor seating areas in nice weather or head to the ice skating rink in winter.

The Jewel has an ideal location near popular tourist sights -- most notably NBC Studios and Rockefeller Center, just across the street. The location on 51st Street feels more peaceful than bustling Fifth Avenue, one block away. Other nearby attractions include Saks Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Radio City Music Hall. Central Park, Times Square and the Theater District, and the Museum of Modern Art are also within easy walking distance. There is easy access most train lines in Manhattan: the hotel is a short walk from the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, 1, and E subway lines.

Rooms at The Jewel feature light wood furnishings similar to what you'd find at Ikea, and beds with striped duvets. The overall effect is that the rooms feel like very comfortable, very spacious, and very nice dorms. The main difference between the room types is space -- rooms get larger as you go up in category, though a more expensive room doesn't guarantee a better view. Superior Rooms have empty mini-fridges and microwaves, and some have pull-out sofas; the suites come with kitchenettes. Two room categories come with private terraces (rare for New York!).All rooms have pretty excellent tech, including dimmer lighting, flat-screen Smart TVs with multimedia connectivity and streaming capability, Keurig coffee machines (with free coffee), and numerous power outlets (both at the work desk and by the bed). There are floor-to-ceiling windows in most units. Bathrooms have big walk-in showers, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, and eco-friendly low-flush toilets. Wi-Fi is free in the rooms, and free (and unlimited) bottled water is provided to every room category. There are also stations with chilled bottled water on every floor.Rollaway beds and cribs and extended stays are available.

The Jewel has self-service check-in stations in the lobby, but staff is also present to assist. Near the lobby is a comfortable Living Room area with free coffee, tea, and newspapers, as well as computer stations and a free printer. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The Jewel has a small but fitness center with bottled water and towels, but no treadmills. Fitness center equipment can also be delivered to rooms upon request.The Terrace Club, located at the neighboring Manhattan Centre, is a private restaurant with fabulous city views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Radio City Music Hall. Guests have access to the restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or can take in the views over a quick cappuccino or cocktail. The terrace is uncovered in the warmer months and enclosed in glass in the winter; the phenomenal views can be enjoyed year round. There is also an on-site sushi restaurant with daily happy hours.Discounts available for nearby attractions including NBC Studios, Top of the Rock, and MoMA. Self-parking garage three-and-a-half blocks away. Validation is available at the hotel.