YOTEL New York

YOTEL is a European hotel chain that cleverly combines the teeny-tiny quality of pod hotels with hip and even luxurious amenities, such as fluffy duvets and pillows, hip lounge and dining spaces, and slick, modern decor. The Hell’s Kitchen location at 42nd Street and 10th Avenue opened in 2011 as the company’s first stateside endeavor, as well as its first foray outside of airport terminals. Nonetheless, the aero-based theme lives on, with airport-style touch-screen check-in machines, furnishings reminiscent of a Virgin America upper class cabin, and Trekkie-style staff uniforms. Don’t miss the lobby’s most exciting attraction, Yobot. Though gimmicky in every sense of the word, the robot luggage handler (think Space Odyssey’s HAL meets silent bellhop) is a thrill you won’t find elsewhere.

For the technologically timid, there is always a real live human being or two on hand in the lobby to assist with check-in, as well as on the Fourth Floor, which -- at 18,000 square feet -- is the hub of activity at the hotel. Here, guests will find several lounges (including two on one of the city’s largest hotel terraces), a small game room, a fitness center, free Internet stations, and a small shop. Eye popping decor dominates, particularly by the cool illuminated walls and accents throughout.

The hotel’s 669 rooms are equally striking, taking the itty-bitty capsule style to clever new levels with glass-enclosed bathrooms (allowing for a brighter, more open feel), motorized beds that fold upright when not in use (providing more space to move around), and a hip, modern aesthetic. Even the windows, which at similar hotels would normally amount to the size of a cereal box, are impressive, with slender floor-to-ceiling dimensions that provide expansive views of the West side and Hudson River.

All the colorful lighting and cutesy aero-inspired concepts aside, Yotel manages to succeed as one of the most appealing hotels in its price category. It's hard to find hotels in this neighborhood for a reasonable rate, and Yotel delivers impressive value in a small but sleek package.

Though located on West 42nd Street -- the same street that includes the bustling heart of Times Square (about a 10-minute walk east) -- YOTEL feels a bit cut off from the restaurants, attractions, parks, and people that make Midtown West an exciting place to visit. Set in Hell's Kitchen, a former slum transformed by luxury condo developments over the last decade, the neighborhood continues to feel as though it is in transition. Expansive parking lots, warehouses, and whirring cabs traveling to and from the Westside Highway make up most of the immediate stimuli; however, excellent restaurants and bars can be found along 9th Avenue. The neighborhood is safe, especially given the nearby police station, but at night the streets feel somewhat barren, which might alarm some visitors.

• 8- to 10-minute walk to the A, C, E subway lines; 10- to 15-minute walk from the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, B, D, F, and M subway lines -- farther from the subway than most other hotels in Midtown West, but there's still easy access to anywhere in New York
• 10-minute walk, plus a 15-minute subway ride to Central Park
• 10-minute walk to Times Square
• 15-minute walk, plus a 20-minute subway ride to the Empire State Building and to Rockefeller Center
• 10-minute walk, plus a 25-minute subway ride to the ferry terminal to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• 10-minute walk, plus a 20-minute subway ride to the American Museum of Natural History
• 10-minute walk, plus a 30-minute subway ride to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the "Met") and a 15-minute subway ride to the Museum of Modern Art (the "MoMA")

Most of YOTEL'S 669 rooms are tiny cabins, which clock in at just 170 square feet. Though they're larger than those at the Hudson Hotel, they're still a bit small, even by New York standards (the average room size in New York is around 200 square feet).

Unlike at many "pod" hotels, all rooms come standard with private bathrooms. Even better is the sexy mod design, which features crisp white walls and linens, blonde wood accents, and funky colored accent lighting. The motorized beds fold up for more floor room, and glass-enclosed bathrooms help create a more open floor plan. Even the occasional luxury can be found, such as massive rainfall showerheads, extra fluffy feather duvets, and noise-canceling windows.

Missing, however, is storage. There is no proper closet to speak of, but rather a couple of open wardrobes with a handful of hangers. There are no drawers to speak of, and the only option for stowing luggage is under the bed. Additionally, the bathrooms are not exactly private; though curtains cover up what sliding glass doors can’t, the bathroom is still just inches from the bed.

• Queen-size beds
• Large shower stalls (no bathtubs) with rainfall showerheads
• LG 27-inch flat-screen TVs
• No robes or slippers
• Cables for iPod/MP3 player hook-ups
• Motorized beds can fold up for additional floor space.
• Organic aromatherapy, two-in-one body wash and shampoos: one with sage, eucalyptus, and Echinacea for morning, and another with lavender and rosemary for nighttime; no additional toiletries
• Small closets have no drawers or doors.
• No minibars
• Free Wi-Fi
• All Premium Cabins are 170 square feet. Some come with an overhead bunk that sleeps additional guests.
• First Cabins are larger, and some come with an outdoor terrace and hot tub or sofa bed.

• The Club Lounge has eight private cabins which can be used for private parties and business meetings.
• A large meeting venue for movie screenings and private parties
• A small game room with a pool table and large flat-screen TV doubles as an additional meeting space with a conference table
• Mission Control is both a counter with concierge assistance and a small shop that includes toiletries and other necessities such as umbrellas and adaptors.
• ATM
• Four computers with free Internet
• A fitness center with two treadmills, two elliptical machines, two bicycles, a dumbbell rack, a rower, and a cable multi-station -- but no individual TVs on the machines
• Free yoga classes each morning
• Free Wi-Fi throughout
• Free bike loans
• View more amenities

Green Fig restaurant serves Mediterranean fusion cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients. At night, the scene is that of a trendy bar, with “private cabins” serving as party rooms with bottle service. The party continues on the huge terrace, which features two bars and amazing views of the city.

Weekend brunch is served on the terrace during warm months, and a daily breakfast is served at the Green Lounge, which is located along a wide hallway.

• Free breakfast muffins and coffee served daily
• Each floor has a Galley with free hot drinks and water
• No room service, but meals can be ordered from the room and picked up at Dohyo downstairs