Empire State Dream: Unforgettable Stay at the Best Western Premier!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Because I just got back from a stay at the Empire State Dream: Unforgettable Stay at the Best Western Premier! and let me tell you, it was… an experience. Let's just say, my notes are a mess, my brain feels like a scrambled egg, and I’m pretty sure I left a sock somewhere. But hey, that's life, right? And hopefully, this review will give you a real, honest, warts-and-all look at this place.
First Impressions (And the Elevator Story That Sets the Tone)
The "Premier" part? Well, let's just say that's aspirational. The lobby was…clean enough. The check-in process was smooth (kudos for the Contactless check-in/out option, very welcome after navigating New York City). But the elevator…oh, the elevator. It was like a tiny, metal anxiety box. Small. Slow. And I swear, it had its own personality. One time, I was crammed in there, shoulder-to-shoulder with a guy who REEKED of mothballs (I’m not judging, but my allergies were). We went up like, ten floors, then down two, then back up five, before finally reaching my floor. It was a whole thing. I think it’s what started my love-hate relationship with this hotel.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag
Okay, let's get down to brass tacks. Accessibility is important, so here's the lowdown. I didn't personally need a fully accessible room, but I did check things out. The Elevator…well, you know. There are Facilities for disabled guests, which is great; and the Elevator appeared to be accessible, though I'm not sure how well during its slow, slow journey. There's Car park [free of charge] and some Car park [on-site], but I didn’t drive, so I can’t attest to the ease of getting around. So from outside-looking-in it looks like they are trying to offer the accessibility but not delivering on the ease-of-use.
Rooms: Cleanish, Comfy-ish, and Equipped-ish
My room (a "Non-smoking" one, thankfully) was… alright. The Air conditioning worked, which was a lifesaver in the August heat. The Blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping off the jet lag. There's Wi-Fi [free] in the rooms, and the Internet access – wireless was decent. Free bottled water was a nice touch.
- The Bed was surprisingly comfortable, though the Pillows were a bit…lumpy.
- I appreciated the Mini bar – even if I only used it to store my leftover pizza.
- They have Daily housekeeping so that you don't have to worry about making your bed…but that is not necessary.
- It had a Desk, which was perfect for me.
- There were extra long beds…I probably should have used one of those.
Now, some minor quibbles:
- The Bathroom was pretty standard, maybe a little cramped.
- The Shower pressure was…eh, passable. Not a power shower, but at least it sprayed water.
- I did notice some stains, and it was a bit like they didn't have a lot of money to invest in the room.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe-ish
This is important, especially after the whole global situation. The hotel definitely seemed to be trying. They have Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. The Hand sanitizer dispensers were everywhere.
- I saw the staff using Professional-grade sanitizing services on the tables and I liked that.
- They had Smoke alarms and Fire extinguisher in my room.
- Staff were very friendly…I am pretty sure they were trained in Staff trained in safety protocol.
- I felt safe, which is a big win.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: An Adventure
The restaurant situation was… varied.
- They have Restaurants so yay!
- I did have Breakfast [buffet] there one morning. It was the standard hotel buffet fare. Eggs, bacon, some questionable fruit. It got the job done.
- The Coffee shop was okay, nothing to write home about.
- There was a Poolside bar…which would have been great, but I have to say I was a bit disappointed with the view from the "pool".
- They had a Snack bar that was open most of the day, which was convenient.
Things To Do, Ways To Relax: The "Wellness" Experience
Okay, the “wellness” part of the hotel was a bit…limited.
- They have a Fitness center, which I peeked into. It looked…adequate. Treadmills, a few weights, the usual suspects.
- They have a Sauna and a Steamroom to relax
- They have a Swimming pool [outdoor]…which really needed a power wash.
- No Spa, massage, body scrub, or foot bath.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things
The hotel offered a decent array of services:
- They have a Concierge, who was actually helpful and kind.
- There's Daily housekeeping, who did a great job of folding the towels.
- A Laundry service is also available.
- As are Business facilities, including a Xerox/fax in business center, if you need that.
- Luggage storage was a lifesaver.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly-ish
I didn't have any kids with me, but I did notice some features:
- They have a Babysitting service (presumably).
- They do have a Family/child friendly approach.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location! (And a Taxi Story)
The location? Okay, that's where this hotel really shines. The Airport transfer option is something to consider…because I got stuck in an NYC taxi that got me more of the city than I wanted.
- It's within walking distance of some fantastic attractions.
- Taxi service is easy to find.
- There are also Bicycle parking.
The Deal: Let's Get You Booking!
Alright, friends, here's the bottom line. The Empire State Dream: Unforgettable Stay at the Best Western Premier! isn’t perfect. It has its quirks. It has its…elevator. But in my opinion is the best hotel for this price, location and for the things they are offering.
Here's what I’m offering you:
- The Perfect Basecamp: The Best Western Premier hotel is situated in a fantastic location, offering easy access to this city. Step out of the hotel and enjoy the best attractions.
- Stay Connected: Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and in your room.
- Rest and Recharge: Relax in your spacious room and sleep peacefully in comfortable beds. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, blackout curtains and more.
- Get Started: Whether you're attending a conference or exploring the city, take advantage of our convenient services, including laundry, concierge and parking.
Click here to book your stay at Empire State Dream: Unforgettable Stay at the Best Western Premier! and experience a slice of NYC life. Don’t miss out – book now!
Miami's HOTTEST Beach Hotel: Iberostar Waves Berkeley Shore!
Alright, buckle up, buttercup! This isn't your sanitized travel brochure… this is me attempting to navigate the concrete jungle, all while trying to stay vaguely upright and caffeinated. We're talking Best Western Premier Empire State Hotel in NYC, baby! Let's see if I survive… (spoiler alert: probably, but you can never be too sure with me.)
NYC Pilgrimage: Operation "Don't Get Flattened"
(Day 1: Arrival and the Great Pizza Quest - AKA "Where's the Bathroom?")
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at JFK. Jet-lagged. Disoriented. My internal clock has decided it's permanently 3 AM. First impression of NYC: A wall of noise and a general sense of organized chaos. Wonderful.
- 1:45 PM: The AirTrain. Oh, the AirTrain. It's like a metal slug crawling its way to Manhattan. Managed to actually find the hotel on 31st Street, right near the Empire State Building (whoa, look at that thing!…later).
- 2:30 PM: Check into the Best Western. Okay, the room's…compact. Tiny, even. But hey! Cleanish (that's good, right?). View of… a brick wall. Fine. Whatever. Needed caffeine yesterday.
- 3:00 PM: The Great Pizza Quest begins. I, a pizza aficionado, embark on a hunt for the perfect NY slice. My first stop? Lombardi's since it's supposed to be one of the oldest.
- 3:30 PM Lombardi's. Delicious! The crust was divine, the sauce had a good tang, and the cheese was the perfect amount of greasy. The line was long, the atmosphere was bustling. The pizza was worth the wait.
- 4:30 PM: Okay, pizza coma setting in. Urgent need: Bathroom. Anywhere. Everywhere. Found one in the bowels of the Greenwich Village, and then got lost for a solid 20 minutes trying to find my way back, which I didn't.
- 7:00 PM: Found a deli counter and a sandwich, and maybe a beer. I can vaguely see the outlines of the buildings, even in the dark.
- Late Night: Back at the hotel room. Crash. Tomorrow, conquering the Empire State Building! (Or at least, attempting to.)
(Day 2: Up, Up, and…Down? Plus, a Broadway Fiasco)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up! (Sort of. My body still thinks it's 5 AM in… wherever I came from.) Try to remember what time it is and why I'm wearing yesterday's clothes.
- 9:00 AM: Coffee. Essential. Found a surprisingly decent cafe down the street. Ordered a coffee. Double espresso Iced latte. Got a single shot. The world continues to be unfair.
- 10:00 AM: The Empire State Building! This is the day! Buy a ticket, get in the queue… wait 1,000 hours (okay, not really, but it felt like it).
- 11:30 AM: Finally at the top! The view. Wow. Just… wow. Seriously, it's breathtaking. The city sprawls out below like some kind of fantastical, concrete dream. I’m pretty sure I can see all the way the Brooklyn Bridge.
- 12:30 PM: Post-Empire State glow. I did it! I conquered! (Or at least, ascended.) Realize I'm starving.
- 1:00 PM: A bite in the hotel's café. Overpriced, under seasoned. Meh.
- 2:00 PM: Time Square, The most crowded streets I've ever. Felt like a sardine. It’s brighter than the sun and louder than a rock concert. I can see the billboards, the throngs of tourists, and street performers.
- 5:00 PM: Broadway. Show time! Got my ticket for a musical. Unfortunately the show was cancelled because of a stage production, and all the other shows were sold out. I can't believe this.
- 7:00 PM: Walk in the central park and got lost at the middle of the night and then I can't found my way back to the hotel.
- 9:00 PM: Pizza Quest: part two-- the pizza place I chose was closed. I just want some warm, cheesy goodness. I'm starting to understand why New Yorkers are perpetually, slightly… irritable.
- 10:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Exhausted. Did I have fun? Probably. Am I ready to go home already? Maybe.
- Late Night: Another night of exhaustion, sleep, and dreaming of quiet. And a bathroom. Always a bathroom.
(Day 3: Museums, Mini-Meltdowns, and Saying Goodbye (Maybe))
- 9:00 AM: Decent sleep. The brick wall wasn't so bad after all. Make time for breakfast in the hotel.
- 10:00 AM: Hit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I tried to see everything. It was amazing and mind-blowing. After three hours I'm exhausted.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch break, found a cute little deli and a quick bite.
- 2:00 PM: Head out to the hotel to prepare for departure.
- 4:00 PM: Checked out of the hotel.
- 5:00 PM: Back to JFK. The AirTrain again.
- 7:00 PM: Goodbye to NYC. I'm going to miss the madness. The energy. And maybe, just maybe, the pizza.
Closing thoughts:
NYC. It's a lot. A beautiful, chaotic, overwhelming, and utterly captivating lot. The Best Western? A perfectly acceptable place to crash after a day of being swallowed whole by the city. Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I bring a better-functioning internal clock and a pre-booked bathroom pass? Definitely. Until next time, New York. You magnificent, noisy, pizza-slinging beast.
Luohe's Hidden Gem: Hanting Hotel Review (Yingchuan Ave)!
Empire State Dream: Best Western Premier - FAQs (Because Let's Be Real, You Have Questions, and I Have Opinions)
So, is the Best Western Premier *actually* premier? Like, are we talking caviar and diamond-encrusted toothpicks?
Okay, let's temper expectations right off the bat. No, darling, you’re *not* getting caviar. Unless you sneak it in your luggage. (I wouldn't judge.) But, and this is a big BUT, it's definitely a step up from your average, slightly-smelly Best Western. Think… upgraded lighting, slightly fancier (but still comfortable) beds, and maybe, just maybe, a rogue, perfectly-ripe apple waiting on your nightstand. (Okay, the apple was wishful thinking. Still, the point is, it's NICE.) It's like the Best Western that finally went to therapy and sorted its issues out. They remembered they're supposed to make things *pleasant* for you.
The location… really *that* good? Is it actually close to stuff, or is the map lying to me again?
Okay, LOCATION. This is where things get interesting. YES. The map is largely telling the truth. (But trust me, I've been tricked by maps before. One time in Prague... don't even get me STARTED.) Seriously though, the proximity to the Empire State Building is practically *scary* convenient. You can practically roll out of bed (after you hit snooze three times, because, you know, human) and be admiring the majestic spire in, like, five minutes. I kid you not. One morning, I legit just sprinted out the door in my pajamas to catch the sunrise over the building (don't judge, the coffee hadn't kicked in yet), and it was... glorious. So yeah, location? Solid. It's also close to, like, everything else you *should* be seeing, like, Central Park, Times Square (brace yourself), and all those shops that threaten your bank account.
Breakfast. Tell me about the breakfast. Because I *need* breakfast. Hangry tourist is not a pretty sight.
Breakfast. The make-or-break factor, let's be honest. Okay, so the buffet isn’t exactly Michelin-star worthy, but it’s… adequate. There's your standard fare: scrambled eggs (sometimes), sausage (sometimes a scary color, I won't lie), pastries (decent), instant oatmeal (blah), and those little yogurt cups that all taste mysteriously the same. BUT, and this is a big but, they had a waffle maker. A *waffle maker*. And I am a sucker for a crispy, golden waffle. I may or may not have eaten approximately three waffles every morning. And covered them in a mountain of syrup. Don’t judge me. Fuel is important. So, breakfast? Not gourmet, but it will do. Especially if you're a waffle aficionado like yours truly.
The rooms! Are they tiny, cramped, and filled with the ghosts of previous stressed-out tourists?
Oh, the rooms. Look, let's be real. It's New York. Space is a premium. Cramped? Maybe a smidge. Tiny? Possibly. Filled with the ghosts of stressed-out tourists? Potentially. (I swear I heard a frustrated sigh from the corner one night). But honestly? They're surprisingly… functional. The beds are comfy (critical!), the bathrooms are cleanish (essential!), and the air conditioning actually works (hallelujah!). I did have a room overlooking a brick wall, but, hey, at least it *was* quiet. And who needs a view when you're in *NEW YORK* and can, you know, actually GO OUTSIDE AND LOOK AT STUFF? So, yeah, the rooms are… fine. Not palatial, but perfectly serviceable. And, bonus: *they have USB charging ports by the bed*. Seriously, that’s a travel game-changer right there. I'm talking to you, phone battery, I'm talking to you.
The staff... are they actually *nice* or just faking it for tips?
The staff… Okay, this is where I need to confess something. I accidentally locked myself out of my room at *2 AM*. Let that sink in. Jet lag, stupid key card, total brain malfunction. And the poor guy at the front desk... bless his heart. He could have been annoyed, he could have sighed and rolled his eyes (I would have deserved it). But he wasn't. He was incredibly patient, even managed a chuckle at my mortified face, and got me back in my room faster than I could say "I am so, so sorry." So, based on my personal, late-night, incredibly embarrassing experience? The staff? Legitimately nice. They seemed genuinely helpful and actually pretty chill. Perhaps because they've seen it all. And that, my friends, is worth its weight in gold when you're stranded with no access to your toothbrush after a long day of schlepping through museums.
Is there a gym? Because all those bagels are gonna hit hard.
Ugh, the dreaded gym question. Yes, they have a “gym”. Let’s put it this way: it’s there. It's small. It has the bare minimum. A treadmill, a couple of weights that might or might not be rusted, and likely a TV playing some sort of daytime talk show. Did I use it? Well, I *intended* to. I packed my gym clothes! Did I *actually* hit the treadmill after a day of pizza, cheesecake, and (let's be honest) a mountain of waffles? Nope. The lure of the city was just too strong. Plus, the thought of getting sweaty and gross before heading back out to explore? Nah. Sorry, but I opted for walking everywhere, which, let me tell you, is a workout in itself in New York! So, the gym? It's there, I guess. But if you're a serious fitness freak, you might be disappointed. Let’s just call it a "suggestion" of a fitness facility and leave it at that.
Okay, so overall, is the Best Western Premier a good choice for a New York trip? Would YOU stay there again? Give it to me straight!
Alright, final verdict. Would *I* stay there again? Yes. Absolutely, yes. For the price, the location, and (let's be honest) the overall *convenience* of it all, it’s a solid choice. It's clean, it's in a great spot, the staff are decent humans, and the waffle maker is a national treasure. It's not the Four Seasons, sure (and my bank account is eternally grateful for that), but it’s practical, it's safe, and it lets you focus on the real reason you’re there: to soak up the electric energy of New York City. Plus, that feeling of stumbling back to your hotel bedHotels With Balconys
