New York Palace Hotel

The New York Palace is the perfect New York City hotel. The location is superb, the staff is excellent, and the rooms and public areas of the hotel are lovely.

Upon arrival we were informed we had been updated to a tower room as a treat for my daughter's 8th birthday! We arrived well before check-in time but our room was ready! Our room was beautiful..... 53rd floor with a spectacular view of the city and St. Patrick's Cathedral. This isn't the type of hotel we are accustomed to so had to ask many questions about how to get our car from valet parking, how to get our bags to our car when checking out, etc. . The staff answered our questions clearly and always in a friendly, respectul manner. Check in and check out was flawless with the exception of a long wait for our car when we checked out. The worker who parked our car upon arrival and brought our car to us when we were ready to leave was the only employee we encountered who was less than friendly. The woman who handled our check in immediately made us feel welcome and comfortable. She was wonderful!!! Anyway, we felt like royalty the entire stay. The staff made us feel welcome and helped us find our way around the city. The location was excellent. We walked to American Girl Place, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Broadway. The hotel provided a free shuttle to the theater district but not back to the hotel after the show. No bother..... it was an easy and pleasant walk. The courtyard was spectacular and the lobby was beautiful!!! Everything was spotless. Mattresses were exceptional. We did not eat in any of the hotel restaurants but they looked beautiful. There was a Starbucks across the street so we used this for our morning coffee and bagel. I can't say enough about this hotel. It has ruined us for any other hotels. I would definitely stay here again!!!! My daughter had been looking forward to her American Girl Place visit but cut her visit short because she couldn't wait to return to the hotel!!! The hotel did have an American Girl Place package. My daughter received a bed/futon for her doll complete with pillow and blanket. She was thrilled. This hotel is accurately named! My daughter felt like a princess in her palace. We are absolutely in love with New York City now..... I think a big part of this is due to the treatment we received at the New York Palace.

Based on Trip Advisor reviews, we chose to stay at the New York Palace rather than better known alternatives such as the Waldorf Astoria. We’re not used to spending this much money on a hotel, but it was a special occasion and turned out to be worth every penny! The location is spot on - just a stone’s throw from the Rockefeller Plaza which we found to be the perfect place to eat breakfast and chill out at the start of the day. The view from our corner room was simply breathtaking (check out one of the photos I took with St Patrick’s Cathedral in the foreground, looking along 50th Street with Rockefeller on the left and the sun setting over the Hudson river – it was quite spectacular). Another outstanding thing to mention about the Palace Hotel is the quality of the bed. We usually look forward to going home to our own bed at the end of a holiday, but on this occasion we wished we could have taken the bed home with us!

We stayed there one night on June 6. loved it, loved it... Everything was perfect. Friendly staff, especially bellman Brian. He was very knowlegable and helpful.

The hotel itself was beautiful. We really enjoyed sitting in the courtyard. The lobby was elegent too.

The location was convenient. Easy to walk to restaurants and shops.

Liked everything about the New York Palace. Will definately come back.

This is about my most favourite hotel ever and am so delighted to be able to return to NY fairly regularly and stay here. Room are fantastic, staff very attentive and helpful, bed is amazing (you never want get out) and the location is perfect. Only downside is having to leave!!

My husband and I booked this hotel based on its rating on Trip Advisor. We were not disappointed.

For starters, we booked a long weekend deal where, if you booked 2 nights you got the 3rd free, and it included room service breakfast (which, if we had paid for, would have been $90 a day for the two of us).

The location was perfect for walking to 5th Avenue, 30 Rock, Central Park, Times Square. The room was in the non-tower part of the hotel which is, from what I gather, the older, less posh part of the hotel. Doesn't matter because the room was gorgeous. Fluffy bed and nice linens. Spacious. Our view was north and, because we were on a low floor we looked out onto another building wall but could see the Waldorf for half of our view.

The breakfast was 5 star served on cart.

Staff was wonderful including maids, doormen, concierge.

This is our new New York Hotel.

Stayed here for one-night weekend escape. Elegant building. Wonderful location. Friendly stuff. Big, clean, luxury room with nice bed and bathroom. St. Patrick's Cathedral view. Will definitely stay again.

this is by far the BEST hotel I have ben too..a lot of famous peoplego here too..everything about it says *******!!!

The NY Palace Hotel is perfect.

I prefer a different location on the west side or lower manhattan, but this HOTEL is fantastic.

I booked the least expensive room thru the online discounter,Quikbook,, for myself and my daughter for 2 nights.

I can find no fault in any aspect of our stay. Staff: super. Room: outstanding (even tho it was an inside room facing a brick wall). Noise: none.

OK, one problem. I had trouble with the lighting controls in the room,

It does not get too much better than this.

The Palace Hotel is true to its name. The interior is grand, but it’s the staff that treats you like royalty even if you’re in a pair of sneakers and jeans. This hotel definitely deserves its high ranking on Trip Advisor.

Here’s my take:

STAFF--Over-the-top genuinely friendly and helpful. From the moment we got out of our taxi, the bell hops were there to assist with luggage and more important take care of my Mom. Ray practically lifted her out of the cab. The front desk had a good system in place. While one person was keying in our information on the computer, someone else chatted with us making us feel even more welcome. Room Service personnel are some of the best I’ve experienced. One woman in particular who works the late shift taking phone requests was exceptionally pleasant. Housekeeping does a very nice job keeping the rooms tidy and they are very quiet.

ROOMS--Tastefully decorated, comfortable beds and large in size for New York standards. Deluxe Rooms are located between the 9th and 29th Floors, Executive Rooms are the next 10 floors up and the Tower Rooms are located between the 41st and 54th Floors.

VIEW--I booked a Deluxe Room which does not guarantee a view of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but the staff located a room for us that did. We were 20 some stories up and the view was spectacular. The way the hotel is situated, we could not get a view of the Empire State or Chrysler Buildings, but it may be possible if you book a Tower Room or Suite (check with the staff).

LOCATION--Can’t be beat. Across the street from St. Patrick's Cathedral, less than two blocks from Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall, a short walk to Central Park and Times Square and one block from 5th Avenue. It’s also close to Grand Central Station, the Chrysler Building and Bryant Park.

RATES--The hotel’s website has a weekend rate, which was a far better deal than anyone else was offering at the time. You can definitely find a less expensive hotel, but you won’t have the same experience anywhere else for the price.

ROOM SERVICE--I try to avoid this due to the cost, but many evenings we were out late and it was just more convenient. For years, great hotel food seemed to be only found in European countries. Even the late night menu food was outstanding at the Palace. Basic sounding menu items were delicious. A perfect roast turkey club with bacon and tomato, the Palace Salad with beets, oranges and Vermont goat cheese. They even brought up a bottle of champagne and fruit platter since it was my Mom’s birthday. Another night we had a sirloin burger with sweet potato fries and chicken panini. If you have a morning flight, it’s very convenient to order breakfast at the hotel. You can hang up a breakfast order tag outside your room until 2am and they will deliver your food to you at the designated time you selected, even if it’s 7am.

RESTAURANTS INSIDE HOTEL--I did not eat at “Gilt” although I’ve heard it’s fantastic. I ate at “Istana” and it was definitely a weak link in the hotel. The food was average and the staff definitely were not in the same league as the rest of the staff in the hotel. Don’t expect to get the same warm greeting that you got when you checked in.

GIFT SHOP--Disappointing. Small, hot with a very odd assortment of things. Expensive designer items costing hundreds of dollars next to some cheap plastics. I was hoping to find some Palace Hotel souvenir items, since the logo and the hotel itself is so classy or some nice New York souvenirs. The Gift Shop could use some improvements.

MISC--There are no ice machines on the floors. Call Room Service, and they bring ice up to you on a silver platter---literally. There are no “Do Not Disturb” or “Room Service” hang tags, instead there are square buttons inside the door that you push, which lights up the message outside. All the lights use the same square button feature.

The staff does an outstanding job to ensure your stay in New York is a special one. You’ll love the Palace Hotel! Treat yourself.

My family and I have just returned from a 4 night stay at the beautiful New York Palace. All the previous reviews were right. The Hotel is out of this world and is well worthy of its 5 star status. We stayed in a Deluxe double on the 29th floor and the view of St Patricks was outstanding. The room was beautifully decorated and spotlessy clean. The beds were the best we,ve ever slept in, pure luxury. We were celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary and were delighted to return to our room to chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling water, with a lovely message from hotel. Nothing was too much trouble, the staff and concierge were brilliant. We have had the most amazing trip and if there,s a downside it,s that we,ve been spoilt to say anywhere else.

We were originally supposed to be one of the lower floors (between 0 and 29) and my boyfriend had asked for as high a room as possible. When we got there we checked in and got the shock of our lives when we were upgraded to the 51st floor! The view was amazing and throughout our stay there wasn't a single person in the hotel who wasn't polite at every opportunity, something we're not very used to! Location is fantastic, line 4,5,6 from grand central takes you all the way to downtown. Would totally recommend this hotel and will deffinately be going back!

We stayed in the wonderful Corner, King, Executive Level. We had a million dollar view of the Hudson and St. Patricks Cathedral. The food and service at the club level were wonderful (especially breakfast) and it was nice to pop in and get some water or something else to drink anytime of day.

Close by were lots of shops (even an H&M) and Rockefeller Center. One morning we went down to see the taping of The Today Show. Also, not too far, a quick cab ride (or walk if you prefer) to Times Square or Central Park. I loved getting back to the hotel and walking thru the courtyard into a lobby area. It felt like I was coming home to a beautiful mansion.

We saw the play "In The Heights" and highly recommend this delightful musical.

There is a guided tour of the World Trade Center area that is given by people who have a personal connection to 9/11 and I also recommend that.

One evening we took the 'Night tour' on the double-decker bus (because of the breeze you'll get up top be prepared for it to be a few degrees cooler than ground level) You meet it at Times Square. This particular tour doesn't make stops and shows you a lot of NYC, along with interesting history, in a 2-hour tour. My husband didn't really want to do it but even he would recommend it now!

We also did a few museums. I was prepared to walk but I was unprepared with how much we walked and that is with taking lots and lots of cabs.

After NYC we took the Acela train to WashingtonDC. Loved the train! We didn't know that Penn Station is at Madison Square Garden and we didn't know the layout of where to go. I missed having a bellman help with luggage! The Acela waiting room is nice and when they call your train you go into a large hall and look up at the big board to find your terminal number and head to that escalator. I wish we had that business class high-speed train in Texas!

We were spoiled and I can't imagine staying any other place next time we visit NYC.

We went to the New York Palace to celebrate my 50th birthday and told them when we booked. They upgraded our room to a corner room on the 33rd Floor overlooking the Cathedral and The Rockafella center and also gave me a loverly chocolate bithday cake. So its well worth telling them if you are going to celebrate something special.

Being in the executive rooms we had access to the executive lounge which was wonderful. The breakfast had everything you could possibly want , lunch again had a good selection and then at 5 o'clock canapes and wine, and all this free. You could get away without eating out at all if you so wished.

Having said that we ate in the Gilt restaurant and had their taster menu with wine. What can I say it was the best meal I have ever tasted. The service superb and the dining room itself beautiful. Its not cheap especially when you add on tips but well worth the money.

The consierge service was brilliant and all the staff we came across very friendly and helpful.

Would I stay there again next time I am in New York? Definitely, no doubt about it, just trying to find an reason to go back.

My wife and I booked break in New York at the recommendation of our son. We chose the New York Palace because of other Trip Advisor reviews. We were very pleased with both selections. We booked a standard room at the hotel but were 'boosted' to the 32nd floor with great views over St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Rockefeller centre. The room facilities were fine with a very comfortable bed. The hotel facilities and service were what one would expect from a 5 star establishment - not quite up to the London Dorchester (which is in the same group) but still good. All the staff were friendly and helpful - notably the concierge and doormen.

We tried the standard restaurant (Istana) and the Michelin starred Gilt. Both were good (but expensive of course). A special mention goes to Georgio Paraponiaris who runs Istana - very charming and accomodating.

We wanted a hotel with a great location (just across the street from St. Patrick's) and lots of history. The New York Palace provided both. The hotel has a fantastic ambiance and just sitting in the lobby people watching is fun. The service was exceptional. The turn down service was one of the nicest we have had at any hotel. It included chocolate, slippers and music. The bed was extremely comfortable, and the room was very spacious. The bathroom was great, as were the bath amenities.

One of the most beautiful hotels in New York.

After reading the reviews here I knew it was going to be a nice Hotel and a comfortable stay. It was however one of the most enjoyable Hotel stays i have ever had. It was the staff who made you feel at home the second you stepped out of the cab, the little touches in the rooms, the views, the location and the general atmosphere the Palace has. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff and i honestly didnt have one complaint! As 4 girls on a weekend break from Europe to shop, eat, drink and shop again we couldnt have asked for more!

I hope to go back year on year...

If someone would say, Go back? I'd even leave without packing..

what an amazing experience!

it was my first time in NY and I wish i'd never had to leave..

I went to the NY palace in january for 5 nights with my boyfriend.

upon check in we encountered a little problem because we didnt have our credit cards with us, but the staff was extremely helpful and didn't mind and continue the check in.

we got the most amazing hotel room, with an amazing view over snowed down st. patricks cathedral. Like a painting... oh my god!

The room was incredible... the bed was even better... not to talk about the pillows! I wanted to sneak them into my suitcase...

the staff is extremely helpfull.. make all the reservations for restaurants, sightseeings without extra charging you.

you''ll love it! believe me!

the hotel was nice enough, actually the lobby and hotel are very very nice ..i thought .the service was borderline weird at times.., they would engage you in conversation, but as soon as youd tip them, they literrally would clam up and leave ...that happened twice as i recall,so i guess i just figured it was best not to tip.but id say the service was excellent...as far as new york hotels go, i think this is one of its finest, maybe the finest.. ,because the rooms were just average unless you upgrade.i was expecting more i guess.., the view was good enough..oh yes,, they have a busines center but it was closed at 6 pm when we tried to use it on a sunday., according to concierge it is because of the recession....didnt make much sense to us..other than that yes,m very n ice place and worth it..you wont go wrong.......

It has taken me about a year to add this review, but I thought it was worth giving our experience at the New York Palace.

We were booked into a Towers room. Despite having booked a non-smoking double room we were shown first to a twin room and then to a smoking room. When I expressed my dissatisfaction to the guy on the front desk, he basically became quite rude and abrasive (and I don't think it was unreasonable wanting what I'd booked at that price!) We were told to come back in a few hours and the room we'd booked would be available. Whilst we were out, I called and left a voicemail for the manager of the Towers expressing my dissatisfaction with the service we had received.

Wow, was that call worth making. When we returned, with no fuss or fanfare, we were quietly told we'd been upgraded to a suite. And what a suite; you're talking about a huge one bedroomed suite with sitting room, dining area for 8, kitchen and two bathrooms! All with panoramic views over NYC.

Now any hotel that goes to those lengths to resolve a customer complaint gets a full thumbs up in my book as it shows how seriously they take customer service.

Overall, we were very impressed with the hotel; all the other staff we met were very friendly, the Towers concierge was great at organising bookings and the like for us, the location is fantastic meaning that we walked nearly everywhere rather than having to worry about getting cabs. The only negative was the cost of food and drink in the hotel, but this was nothing atypical for a hotel of this calibre and we just went and got a coffee and muffin from Starbucks for breakfast.

The New York Palace is incredible. Yes, it is not cheap, but it is definitely worth every dollar you pay for it.

The staff is very attentive and went out of their way to spoil me. Upon my arrival, I was upgraded to a room in floor 34th, with the most amazing view of the back of St Patrick.

The room was spacious, bright (even though it was winter) and very well decorated, with a very comfortable bed, nice TV and sitting space by the window.

Big bathroom, with all kind of nice toiletries and a tub (which is hard to find in NYC).

This hotel was really beyond my expectations, I would totally recommended it if you can afford it.

I would have no hesitation recommending the Palace to anyone who appreciates high quality and is prepared to pay for it. The staff of the Palace are superb - highly professional, yet very friendly. They made us feel very welcome and nothing too much trouble. Every aspect of the hotel is first class - reception, concierge, restaurants and guest rooms. Even though we were on Madison Avenue overlooking St. Patricks Church

traffic noise was minimal and the bed was so supremely comfortable that we slept like tops! I have stayed in numerous good quality NY hotels and this is easily the best.

I have just come back from visiting the New York Palace , we stayed for 4 days and the hotel is fantastic!!!! The rooms are very spacious compared to other hotels in New York, with plasmas tv and excellent views of St Patricks Cathedral. The bathrooms are of a good size with loads of little extras ...Molton Brown toiletries bathrobes and slippers. The staff her were lovely especially the bellboys at the entrance who couldnt do enough and always made polite conversation with us and the bar staff who were as friendly two girls and a young man in particular whho would chat to you about your day and give advice on places restaurants etc should you need it. My only negative comment about this hotel which is a small issue is that sometimes on entering the hotel you can feel a little uneasy as if you shouldnt be talking or everyone is watching you, this is not down to the staff but to the type of people that stay here and for that reason the hotel can come accross a little stuffy!! Apart from this MINOR problem it was great would return again ....oh and one other thing DO NOT use the phone in the room 3 very short calls lasting 5-10 mins $146!!!

I have stayed in a few hotels in the city and am starting to experiment with different hotels in different locations. This hotel was nothing short of fabulous. The hotel is beautiful, the rooms are lovely, the beds are comfortable, service is excellent, the location is perfect. I may continue to experiment with other locations for different experiences but I believe the New York Palace has spoiled me for life.

We just got back from a quick get away and over night in New York. We found the Palace was the perfect place to stay. We never had stayed here before but after reading Trip Adviser reviews we were compelled to try it. We usually are Kimpton, Ritz and Four Season travelers. For one quick night and knowing we would not be in our room much we were trying to find the best bang for our buck and we found it.

We booked with Amex and got upgraded plus lunch and breakfast. They upgraded us to a high corner suite that was fantastic...spacious and 5 stars all the way!

The Tower section has its own private check in and concierge service so you never have to deal with crowds...very nice touch.

The hotel was spotless and had all the amenities one would care for. The hotel actually smelled like a clean casino...fresh C02 in the hallways.

We ate our lunch downstairs and although they say it is free it is 75.00 credit which only paid for half the bill which ended up being 140.00...we ate a very simple lunch (so note that the free lunch or dinner will cost you). The food and service was great how ever.

Turn down service was superb.

Bed was outstanding. Robes and towels were 5 star.

Bellman and door service was so so ...not the best...did not open the door for you as you came in or out with luggage...barely a hello..not 5 star quality.

The gym was nice and had a great view.

Skip the spa...one of the worst I have ever been to. Rooms are dirty and they are in the locker room. Shower was clogged and dirty. Therapist was clueless on the treatment and they gave the wrong time on treatment. For the money they are charging they should have stellar service and treatments...absolutely horrible!! I actually questioned whether the therapist had any training at all! Go to Oasis Day Spa on 33rd & Park for quality treatments and great prices.

Room service was good. Right on time and decent food.

Over all we loved this hotel. You can't beat the location and the price was fantastic for the rooms. We will return. Thank you Trip Advisers for yet another accurate rating.

This was my first trip to NYC and had half an idea of what to expect but as you drive over the bridge into Manhattan you jaw drops the skyline is truly amazing! On arrival the doorman were very efficient as were the reception staff at check in. We had a suite on the 47th floor over looking St Patrick's the views were fabulous, the suite was clean and tidy and was well maintained throughout our stay, room service were very obliging and allowed us to order food that was not on room service menu(lobster at 11.00pm not bad!)

the stay overall was excellent and all staff were kind, courteous and very helpful i would recommend this hotel to anyone travelling on business or pleasure well done to all of the staff

It was my first trip to NYC so I wanted to stay somewhere nice. Imagine when I opened the door to my room on the top floor to find I was in a corner room with a view of Radio City Music Hall and the Cathedral. Two luxurious bathrooms and big screen televisions throughout. I would have thought this a good value in Las Vegas, but for New York it was a tremendous value. The restaurant downstairs (Gilt) is fabulous. The location across from Rockefeller Center was excellent. My only complaint was with the surly doorman, who flat out refused a $3 tip to hail me a cab when I told him (truthfully) it was all I had. He said he'd wait until I could hit find my girlfriend (who had more cash) and I ended up giving him $5. Ridiculous for a minute of work. I also didn't like that I had to pay $5 each for printouts at the business center. Come on. However, the hotel was wonderful and I will definitely go back.

Just an amazing, amazing property, especially considering just how large this hotel is. Like many others posting here, my wife and I searched far and wide to come up with a dead on “perfect” hotel for our 25th anniversary (we’re still smarting a bit from a disastrous 10th anniversary at a now defunct B & B in Orange, Virginia). We even investigated more “storied” NY and expensive hotels, but finally chose the Palace. And we’re glad we did. The New York Palace more than lived up to its already elite Trip Advisor reputation.

Initially I was little unsure. The doorman, Louis, was wonderful and all that you hoped for – warm, funny, all the while welcoming you to his hotel. But at check-in itself, the desk person seemed a little too deferential. Completely professional, yet somewhat distant. Then our bellman was the same way. Just fine, but Louis had set a standard neither person matched. Waiting for the elevator just off the bustling lobby I was starting to feel that maybe it was obvious we weren’t the highest rollers in the place, and that our special weekend would be “lost” in such a massive hotel. Plus we were staying on an Executive floor, but nobody had made any mention or explanation of how the Executive Lounge worked.

After settling in the room for a few minutes – the room was a stunning Executive Corner Suite overlooking St. Patrick’s Cathedral - we warily made our way to the lounge for some coffee (it was 3 pm, between food service there).

At the point we entered the lounge the fog of doubt lifted. Gavin the lounge manager found our names on his list, gave us a warm welcome, apologized for the mix up, and explained how the lounge worked. And he went on to apologize two more time before we finished our coffee and decadent hotel-baked cookies (all the while overlooking St. Patrick’s from 39 floors up).

Recharged, we went out to check the neighborhood – and what a neighborhood it is with Fifth Avenue just a block to the west. After returning to the hotel, we had no sooner put our coats down when there was a knock on the door. Being delivered were five chocolate covered strawberries (see photo), a large complimentary bottle of Fiji water (a $14 value in the mini bar), and a thoughtful note from the hotel wishing us a happy anniversary. Needless to say, we were in a great frame mind by that point.

And it got better. Before heading out to dinner - the recommendation and reservations for Park Avenue Winter were both courtesy of concierge Adhara - we went back to the Executive Lounge for champagne and hors d’oeuvres. As I waited for a new bottle of bubbly to be uncorked, the kindly waitperson/bartender reminded me in mannerism and speech of Carl, the headwaiter of Rick’s Cafe in Casablanca. “Dis cork – eets a rebel,” he said with a smile and laugh.

Next we experienced the kind of thing that makes a great hotel great. The restaurant was only about 10 blocks away, but still needed a cab. Unfortunately, they were a little scarce at 6:15 pm on a Friday night, even for a Palace doorman. So as things got tight for our reservation time, Louis saved the day by putting us in one of the hotel’s car for the trip. (The driver told us that what the doorman says goes.)

It was an excellent memorable dinner, but when we got back to the hotel our room was in the process of being turned down. So for the third time that day we went up to visit Gavin, finishing off the night with some port and strawberries and cream (small portion – we were stuffed already). After a late night visit to Top of the Rock, we were finally in for the evening.

As for some earlier reviews mentioning the expense of in house coffee/tea/water and food, an Executive Level room really seems like the way to go at the hotel. Included with your room is access - with an elevator ride - to tea, coffee, water, soda, beer, and snacks from 7 am to 10 pm, and of course a full breakfast, pretty serious lunch, and evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (we definitely witnessed people making dinner out the evening goodies). So for instance, first thing in the morning I got take-out coffee cups from the lounge and brought them back to the room. Then there wasn’t a desperate rush to get to breakfast simply to get some coffee (there is a Starbucks next to the hotel on 51st, and also several coffee shops).

Breakfast was impressive and very, very good. Eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast, steel cut oatmeal, cold cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, and an amazing array of fresh baked breads, bagels, and pastries (definitely try the crumb cake!). All awesome – and the coffee was always awesome no matter the time of day.

Somehow we misplaced one of our room key cards, and on our way out for the day we stopped at the desk to get a new one - just in case we did leave it on the Rockefeller Center Observation deck. Our same desk person was there from the day before, and without a question he reset the card still in our possession and issued a new one. He did remember us and addressed us by name - once again, in a respectful but quiet manner (that was just his style). Then as my wife and I fiddled with maps, gloves, and scarves in the middle of the lobby, trying to figure out which door to exit to get to a subway station, our desk person came out from behind the counter and asked if there was any other way he could help us with our day. He offered directions to the subway, and to the concierge desk. It was one of those “little” things that means a lot.

We had dinner in the hotel at Gilt that evening, and it was a completely other-wordly over-the-top gastronomic experience. We did the five-course chef’s tasting menu with wine courses. It was like theater with food, with my wife and I on center stage. Service and food were incredible. Again, our anniversary was acknowledged with a special dessert. It was the most expensive dinner we’ve ever eaten, but worth it for a 25th. (Very glad we did it, but we can probably wait at least another five years for such an extravagant night out). We didn’t help Gavin close the lounge this evening. Six different wines were enough for one night.

Sunday morning consisted of coffee in the room, a run in Central Park, breakfast in the lounge, finding the misplaced room key on the desk, and saying a big thank you to Adhara the concierge. Stephen took care of our bags on the way out, and was warm and professional. The hotel held them for us until late in the afternoon, and by luck, Stephen was there to retrieve them. Again cabs were hard to come by, so a different doorman (on the 51st entrance) ran all the way down to Park Avenue to retrieve a cab for us.

Sorry if this went on way long. Just wanted to get in the little things that really make the Palace a world-class hotel. We had great expectation - and they were exceeded. Thank you Louis, Bitang, Gavin, Adhara, and Stephen. You guys and the Palace turned our anniversary into a marvelous dream. We will always remember number twenty-five - and I think we’ve finally put crappy number ten behind us!

(Oh, yes, beds super comfy, and the room was spotless!)

This is a great hotel. It is in a fantastic location in midtown without being right in the middle of the chaos that is Broadway and the surrounding streets. Concierge is excellent. Everyone on the staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful. This is a luxury hotel, but the staff is not pretentious. The hotel is a comfortable stay and a lovely place to call home while in NYC.

In NYC for my fiance's 30th birthday and booked this hotel as a treat. On the pricey side, but worth it. Service was fab, rooms spacious with the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. The receptionist upgraded us to a room with a view of St. Patrick's Cathedral as it was my partner's birthday and sent us up a birthday cake. The conceirge was very helpful. Beds were turned down every night, with chocolates on the pillow, lovely Molton Brown products in the bathroom. In walking distance of the main sites and across the road from Saks. Glad we picked this hotel and would definately stay again.

We stayed at the NY Palace Hotel in March 2009, and will definitely stay there again in the future! The rooms were amazingly clean, spacious and the view we had of St. Pat's Cathedral (looking DOWN on all the spires, what a great vantage point!) was amazing. We could also see Rockefeller Center from our Corner King room.

The beds were super plush, and my only complaint (if you could even call it that) was that upon return at midnight to our room, when they did the turndown service (with delicious CHOCOLATES!) they removed all the pillows but two, and I like to sleep with two pillows myself. I could have just called down to have one brought up but was too tired. No biggie, but, I would have liked a spare one left in a closet or something.

The bathrooms are beautiful, marble, with great bath products. The fridge was loaded with all sorts of goodies, anything you might want or need. The hotel staff were the best I've ever encountered in NYC.

They were taping the movie Salt, with Angelina Jolie, on the street behind our hotel, when we arrived, which made entry into the hotel side street w/ our car difficult since it was cordoned off, but one call to the hotel and they had staff out there moving pylons to let us in, and were so good about getting us settled into our room. Henry was especially helpful answering any questions we had and giving us some tips for a place to grab lunch.

Also, the location of the hotel was great. I felt very safe.

We stayed at the NY Palace for 4 nights 24-28 March while we were in the City getting married. This was my 5th visit to NYC but first at the Palace & I would now be reluctant to stay anywhere else. Its true that you get what you pay for & this hotel is just class. It has the most beautiful lobby & courtyard & staff & service is excellent.

The rooms are spacious by NY standards & kept immaculate. We had a wonderful view across to St Patricks Cathedral. We visited the Gilt Bar in the hotel which is lovely.

The Location is great close to TOTR & a short walk from 5th Avenue shops, Central Park & Times Square.

Would highly recommend this hotel to anyone & look forward to visiting again in the future.

This is the first time I actually LOVED my hotel in NY! The location right off 5th Avenue and walking distance to Central Park could not be beat. The rooms are large (by NY standards) clean and elegant, the lobby was gorgeous with beautiful chandeliers and the views of St. Patrick's cathedral from our full length windows int he room were breathtaking in the winter snow. The customer service of the hotel was also great. It's just as pretty as on Gossip Girl!

After flying back from Europe, we stayed at this hotel. We were beyond tired.

Front desk was very nice, the bellman was a doll. The room was so comfy- the bed was sink right into and location couldnt of been anymore perfect! I would stay there again.

This Is by far the best hotel i have ever stayed in, the rooms are large spacious and if your lucky to get one on a high floor you will either get a fantastic view of St Patricks Cathedral or the east river. The Staff are the friendliest i have ever experienced in a hotel, and the concierge get you the best show tickets available. I would reccommend this hotel to anyone and everyone if you are looking for a fantastic hotel in a fabulous location with superb staff.

I would go back in a minute!

Thanks to all the staff at the New York Palace

I went to New York with my teenage daughter to meet with friends, shop and a few cultural visits. The Palace is centrally located and we could walk to most places. Staff very friendly and attentive and nothing too much trouble. We had a room on 32nd floor with two double beds. The room was spacious and bathroom comfortable. We originally booked direct but found a much better rate through Hotels.com and so cancelled the first booking. With our booking came Executive Lounge access which provided complementary breakfast, lunch, hors d'oeuvres, deserts, wine, coffee, cookies - well pretty much everything throughout the day together with internet access. This was a huge bonus as it pretty much amounted to full board at a very good rate. I would definitely recommend this hotel but make sure you get Executive Lounge access especially if you are traveling with youngsters who don't want to spend too much time in restaurants.

My wife and I searched and searched for days on which hotel to stay in during our honeymoon in NYC. After days of reading reviews, and deciding to spend the extra money to be happy we chose the Palace. From the minute we stepped out of the cab, to the minute we checked out, it was simply amazing! George, the doorman, was as friendly as could be. Henry the Bellhop was great to us. We are a young couple, but were treated like royalty. Before seeing Wicked on Saturday night, we ate at Istana in the Lobby of the Palace. Georgio, the manager, came to our table and introduced himself, and asked what brought us to Istana that night. We said its our honeymoon and we are staying in the hotel as well. He promptly brought over Champagne on the house and had the piano player play a song for us. After our meal, he surprised us with a small 7 layer cake that had Congratulations written on it. We were blown away. To be treated so nice nad have the whole staff congratulate us made it that much more special. Thank You Georgio, you made us feel like a King and Queen! turn down service was for lack of better words so cool. They laid out your robes on the bed, turn on classical music, put the remote and channel guide next to the bed and lay out your slippers too. I asked for a view of St. Patricks and was so granted. The Consiere (spelled wrong I know!) made a great choice for us for a sushi dinner. They even made reservations for us. After hours of walking around the city seeing the sights, to go back to a bed like the ones they have was like heaven! It was like a large cloud! huge goose down pillows, great soft sheets and great comforter. On the morning we had to checkout, =(, my wife went across to Starbucks for a coffee for us and with her hands full, the doorman spun the revolving door for her so she could get through. Simple things, make all the difference. This is a great place to stay. I hope to someday go back, everyone so nice and profesional. Thanks Palace you made our honeymoon all that much better!!!

Tripadvisor is right. Thisis a great hotel. I paid $210 x 3 nights, at hotels.com, linked through kayak.com, for a weekend. I expected the lowest grade room. I don't know what I got, but it was great. King sized bed, not-so-great view, which is meaningless to me, and the usual 5* amenities and service. The staff is obvioulsy very well trained, as both the doorman and bellhop gave us an orientation. large room, especially for NY.

I used Trip advisor for my research for our 1 night stay in NYC. The Palace Hotel was just great. Nice location- not in too busy of a location, close proximity to shopping and sites. The hotel was immaculate, rooms large and staff super nice and helpful. In a heart beat I would stay here again. We were originally booked at the Ritz because we never stayed on the Central Park side but after visiting it and staying at the Palace, I am glad we made the choice.

Being a New York Native and probably moving from the area for the last time in my life, I wanted my New Orleans wife to celebrate New Years Times Square style. Well the NYPD ruined that with extra tight security and limited room in Times Square so we celebrated the ball drop in Central Park with the fireworks. It was very cold that night, very cold -4 or something so we stayed outside 45 minutes only. Back to the hotel it was wonderful, elegent great service, excellent rooms, food, lobby, doorman. One time coming back the doorman said , "Welcome back home" I like that! The little extras make the money worth it. the view from my room was of St. Patricks catheral, I cried as I opened the drapes. The location of 50th and Madison is great and central to everything, Saks, Rockefeller center,shopping, Times Square everything. The hotel had a very Europen flair as did most of the other guests, I felt as I was in Europe without taking a flight. Stay there if you can, its worth the money. Stay on the club floor as the breakfast is free and very nice.

i just spent a week in new york with family at the palace hotel, and it was amazing! the location is absolutely perfect- walk to times square or central park. the hotel itself is very nice. our room was actually upgraded when we got there to the 37th floor, so you can imagine the beautiful city view that provided. the staff was always very helpful; we asked the concierge how to get around/where's what, and they were always happy to point us in the right direction. the bar/restaurant downstairs, gilt, has some amazing desserts and a really comfortable atmosphere. of course, my favorite part is probably the way the maid set out our slippers on little white rugs at the side of the bed for turn down :) all in all, great place to stay!

March 4 - 14

44 yo well travelled mom and 16 yo daughter, looking to see as much as possible and visit a few colleges.

We reserved via a third party online service and got a variable rate from 210 to 250, total taxes/service included came out to 2085.00. What we got was two double beds in a room on the 31st floor. Nothing extra. The veiw included was to the north, 51st street I believe.

This is an excellant choice for location, the subway at rockerfeller is just past St. Patricks (about 5 minute walk) and the Grand Central is an easy stroll south. We walked to Central Park, a bit distant but doable, and to Time Square frequently during the stay. In the mornings we were across the block from a star bucks and/or bakery. The concierge was very good, no problems with asking for a double room and no hidden charges.

I had expected a small room, but it was roomy, large sink/vanity, tub and toilet. The dresser was large enough to accomodate both our wardrobe and the two large suitcases we brought were stashed out of the way without any problem.

Except for the first night, we never ran into the maid who had our rooms clean each afternoon and again turned down when we returned from a show. The bellmen were the most friendly I have encountered in this city. The main entrance is beautiful and a very nice place to meet friends. We did not dine at the hotel but would love to do so in the future.

Internet service was great, the maid remembered my preferences for type of chocolate and ice everyday.

I would definitly return to this hotel.

Cons: The price of room service/snacks is rather ridiculous compared to the room fee but going out was very easy.

We spent 3 nights at the hotel. Our stay was flawless. The room was big and had an amazing view of the St. Patrick Cathedral. The service was perfect and the staff was eager to help at all times. Would definitely stay there again!

We stayed at the Palace the wekend of the 7th of March. What a spectacular hotel. They were so accomodating and even upgraded our room when I mentioned that my daughter opted for a NYC trip with her mom rather than travel with friends on her senior class trip to Orlando. They were so gracious and extremely helpful. The concierge went out of their way to provide dining suggestions, address information and things to do!! We will definitely be back ~ it is well worth the $$$.

I have never written a hotel review before, but after our second visit to The New York Palace I could not resist. Normally people only write to complain about an experience but there is nothing to complain about here.

They have the best/happiest staff. It must be a great place to work and it shows from the bellman to the front desk to the cleaning staff, everyone is always smiling. No rude New York attitude here, real smiles and delightful chit chat in the elevator/halls.. A big group was checking in right before us and we had to wait. The front desk apologized repeatedly for making us wait. .

The entire place is very elegant, and not the fake flashy type as in Vegas. Just take a look at the ceilings, especially the one in the Gilt bar. The bed is the most comfortable hotel bed, you don't want to get out of it. Even the standard rooms are quite large for a NYC hotel.

The location is very convenient and we could walk almost anywhere. We did not eat in the hotel this time but we did have drinks in their bar. Our first visit we had breakfast and found the food and service was very good.

We spend several weekends in the city during the year and have stayed at many other hotels but unless they are completely booked , I would not stay anywhere else.

My wife and I stayed at the New York Palace for two nights and really enjoyed it.

I was looking for a five star hotel that wouldn't cost a fortune and I thought the 375$ we paid was quite reasonable compared to other five star hotels in midtown.

The room wasn't too big but it was just right.

We had a nice view and the beds and covers were very comfortable.

The only downside was the breakfast which we ordered to the room which was very expensive, but I guess that's the same in most hotels.

We were in NY for business and stayed at this hotel for 5 nights.

The location is superb - walking distance from the mains office building and lots of shops and nice places to eat.

The rooms were really nice, spacious and very comfortable.

The concierge desk is very good and effiicient.

They managed to help us out with all our questions and get us last minute reservations at some of the fancy places too which typically require you to book weeks in advance.

Overall, this hotel is a great base for both business as well as tourist travellers.

Fantastic views and superbly located in manhattan. Saks is almost across the road and the shops on park, 5th and madison are within walking distance ... ideally located for the avid shopper!

Fantastic concierge services and very helpful staff. Insist on a room with a view (ok...its going to be pretty much a view of tall buildings but then in manhattan, a good skyline view is quite appreciable).

Rooms are well appointed and very comfortable. Bath accessories are good.

Convenient town-car limo service available to JFK, La Guardia or Newark Airports (about USD 85).

Bear with me - complaints are usually long winded and this is long... :)

I've stayed at the New York Palace on two occasions. Both times have been arranged by American Express who ensured the type of room and location in the reservation and offered certain amenities including breakfast and a lunch for two.

My first stay with my sister was in April 2008. We requested a double bed in the Tower which was confirmed with a phone call the morning we were to arrive. Check in was no issue and an absolutely wonderful bellman accompanied us to our room to get us settled. That's where the problems started. Incredible room - beautiful room with a single large, king sized bed. I've spent enough days of my youth stuck in the same bed with a sister who kicks that I wasn't about to spend three nights in the same bed with her as an adult (who I'm sure still kicks).

When I told the bellmen that we had confirmed double beds, he immediately called down to the desk and started working to get us in another room. From the one sided conversation, I could tell that he had to explain three times that we weren't a couple when asked why the single bed was an issue. After he got that point across, the desk clerk had him ask us if a roll-away bed would be ok. A roll-away bed is cool at the Motel 6, but the Motel 6 doesn't cost over $600 a night. I could tell by his "you've got to be kidding me" comment to the clerk that he didn't think it was a grand idea, either.

Finally, after about 20 minutes of the clerk telling him there were no other rooms available, I made the comment that we'd just check out and find some place else to stay. When the clerk heard that, miraculously, a glorious room with double beds, on the next floor, became available.

The rest of the stay was fantastic. Had the most incredible hamburger ever, nothing but rave reviews about the lounge GILT and just had an all around great time.

I figured that this first time was a fluke, so I decided to try it again in October with my son.

Went through American Express and reconfirmed the room (double, in the tower), the day before we arrived. This time check in wasn't as nice as the first. The clerk seemed pre-occupied - rushed and unfriendly, and the hotel was extremely crowded. I noticed that she didn't go over the amenities for the room and while I was tempted to ask her, I figured I'd come back down later when I could speak with someone else who was a bit more agreeable.

So we get to the room and yep, we got a double which was great, but it was a tiny double with a small window, a view of nothing on what the bellman called "the Executive Floor". This definitely wasn't a Tower room. Compared to the previous room in April, it was about $100 more and about 1/2 the size. I figured the price increase was the time of year but then it donned on me that the room must have been booked wrong. I called the front desk and was put on line with the assistant manager who I later found out was the clerk that checked us in. As part of our original reservation, we were supposed to have a continental breakfast in the morning and lunch at the restaurant covered in the room charge. When I asked her about these, I was told we could have breakfast at the "executive lounge" and there was no lunch credit. When I asked about the room in the Tower I had confirmed, I was told that room was not available and if it was, it would have been far more expensive. When I let her know that I had guaranteed, documented reservations confirmed by American Express and that there were amenities attached at a set price, she said I was wrong and we had reservations for exactly the room and package we were in regardless of what I said. When I asked to speak with the manager, she told me she was the acting manager and hung up the phone.

Since I couldn't get anywhere with her, I called American Express and let them deal with it. This time it turned into a 30 minute phone call involving her boss, the sales staff, and two American Express representatives to finally get us in to a glorious double bed room in the Tower as originally booked. The funny thing? The room ended up to be cheaper even though it was larger and much nicer and once again, though being told this mythical Tower room wasn't available, enough complaining made it appear out of thin air. I guess it was that "executive lounge" privilege that I didn't want, that raised the rate of the smaller, dingier room.

The rest of the stay? Perfect.

When I returned home, I wrote a letter to the manager letting him know about the problems on both stays. I received a prompt reply which offered a short apology for the issues with check in ("we're very sorry"), no additional explanation for my troubles, an admonishment for not going to the Tower check-in area (um, ok, I'll concede that I didn't know that but then no one told me) and said "please ask to speak with me next time you have issues with the check in process".

I guess I expected more.

Would I stay there again? No and that's upsetting because aside from the awful room games and lack of assistance from the front desk staff, the hotel is delightful. The food is glorious, the wait staff is great and it's just a fantastic location. But both times I felt like the front desk staff went out of their way to cast me as the culprit over resolving problems they caused. Did I ever get angry, rude or fussy? No and I had someone tell me that had I been, it most likely would have been resolved quicker. What a shame. It is truly a gem in the city but I've had better check in experiences at motels that are a fraction of the cost.

My only advice is to guarantee everything, in writing, before you arrive and if it's not up to your standards, fight like the dickens to make it right.

So--if you're thinking about taking advantage of the Palace's current special room rates, as we did, exercise caution. For a very reasonable -- not arguing that -- $210 a night you get a decent room (by NYC standards) in a convenient Midtown location.

And that's it. Upon checking in (met with bare civility) we were immediately told that, because we had already pre-paid, we would get whatever was available. In this case, it's a clean room on the lowest guest floor, with a view of...nothing, and two double beds. BUT WAIT! If we wanted a king bed, like we'd originally requested, we could have it, for fifty bucks more a night. Otherwise--would we kindly get lost? Chose not to pay, cause I think that's kind of, what's the term? , oh; BAIT AND SWITCH.

In hindsight, this is a good lesson. I travel a lot, and stay at hotels across the spectrum. Was thinking of this as a good intro to the merits of the Dorchester hotels and it has been a learning experience. Won't stay with them again (at least, not without an explicit, detailed receipt of what I'm ordering/paying for upfront). You'd think this economic climate an opportunity to lure new customers, but perhaps they are just interested in filling rooms. Who cares? There's a lot of hotels in this class for similar full rack rates.

Room is decent size and clean; nice flat screen TV; you have to pay for wireless internet, as is the odd custom at upscale hotels (so strange). There's no AC or fan controls however, and it's a bit stuffy and humid.

In conclusion--I have no trouble or compunction about paying full rate for a nice hotel. If you're looking for a good deal, look elsewhere. If you're willing to shell out, I'm sure this is just great. But don't believe you get anything for their "special rates".