Hotel Review

Beacon Hotel, New York

www.beaconhotel.com

 

THE BACKGROUND: Built as an aparthotel in 1929, this ‘jewel of the Upper West Side’ property recently completed a complete renovation of its public areas and rooms/suites; it has 130 of each across 25 floors. Moreover, the rooms are a lot bigger than is the norm in New York – probably one reason the hotel is so popular with Brits (independently and via tour operators) although our international top spot has (temporarily I’m sure) been overtaken by the Aussies.

 

WHERE IS IT? On Broadway, close to all sorts of great places, from the Beacon Theater right next door to the Lincoln Center (10 blocks), Central Park (three blocks), the Museum of Natural History and New York Historical Foundation (six blocks) and Zabar’s, the best (and almost certainly biggest) delicatessen anywhere just five blocks away. A subway stop is only three blocks away and buses stop outside.

 

THE HOTEL: A compact lobby area and lounge that belies the size of the rooms to come. Hotel staff are friendly and efficient and a small concierge desk will arrange all the tours and theatre bookings your clients might want.

 

THE ROOM: Very spacious and all with small kitchenettes which include fridge/freezer, cooker, cutlery/crockery, coffee percolator etc. for those who want to keep their holiday costs down with a spot of self-catering. The bathroom features Gilchrist and Soames toiletries. The living room has a desk, separate round table, sofa, wide-screen TV and iPod docking clock radio. The bedroom has cupboard space (where the iron/ironing board is stored) two large double beds, a wide-screen TV and chest of drawers. A second wardrobe is off the lobby together with a room safe.

 

THE RESTAURANT: Right next door is the Viand Café which is open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s an archetypal New York diner and good value for money.

 

THE FACILITIES: TThere was, and will be again in the future, a health club but right now it’s just a great place to stay on New York’s Upper West Side. Wi-Fi is available for $9.95 per 24 hours, there’s a complimentary guest internet centre, same-day valet dry-cleaning and a coin-operated laundry on the premises.

 

THE COST: From around $235 per night for a standard room or $295 for a suite.

 

THE DETAILS: Hotel Beacon, 2130 Broadway at 75th Street, New York, NY 10023.
Tel: 001 212 787 1100 or reservations on 001 800 572 4969;
Email: reservations@beaconhotel.com

 

www.beaconhotel.com