When I asked for suggestions of a hotel in Times Square for my daughter and I to stay at on our trip to the Big Apple on my facebook page, I received not one but two recommendations for the YOTEL.
With a name like YOTEL, I couldn’t wait to search the internet and find out more. My interest was piqued.
Right away I knew the YOTEL would satisfy my daughters’ desire for hip and trendy lodging in New York City, what I didn’t count on was how much I would enjoy our stay too.
Getting to the hotel from the Metro station under the Port Authority Bus Terminal was an easy couple blocks down 42nd Street to 10th Avenue.
Check in and check out is a bit different at the YOTEL. Rather than stepping up to a counter with a front desk representative, you step up to a computer and check yourself in.
The computer spits out your room keys and some brief directions. If you run into problems there’s normally someone there to assist you but the prompts on the computer screen are pretty self-explanatory and walk you through the quick process.
My daughter loved the bike hanging from the ceiling. I couldn’t get over the robotic arm that retrieved luggage from bins behind a secured glass wall. The seating area with the comfy, cool seating was pretty fun too.
We jumped in the elevator to take us to the common area on the fourth floor where we transferred to a different elevator to take us to our floor.
The elevators are really cool and dark with a purple glow, reminding me of club lighting. My daughter loved it. We jumped into the second elevator, pushed the number 11 and didn’t move. It took us a few minutes, but we discovered that we had to hold our room key up to a sensor before it would move. Kind of cool, huh? And a great security feature.
My daughter and I both loved our room on the 11th floor. It was the smallest hotel room I have ever stayed in, but you could tell from the layout that every inch had been planned for optimal functionality. I loved the technological upgrades, the hot water in the shower and the organic body wash and the view!
This room was perfect for the two of us but I certainly wouldn’t want to stay here with someone I wasn’t totally comfortable with. See that white curtain? It’s hiding a glass walled shower and sliding glass door that separates the toilet from the rest of the bathroom. Glass, as in you can see straight through it. And the white curtain doesn’t always do a great job hiding what’s on the other side. Especially when the light is on in the bathroom.
My daughter and I made a plan that we would not glance towards that side of the room when it was in use. 🙂
My daughter loved her bunk. She loved it so much that it became her favorite feature in the room. She also said it was very comfortable to sleep on. I don’t really believe her, judging from how uncomfortable my bed was. After tossing and turning most of the night, I finally decided to sleep on top of a couple pillows. UPDATE: Yotel listens to their guests. I’m glad to report the beds have been upgraded for added comfort.
We both loved the view when we checked in. We were only a few blocks from the Hudson River and could see it in the distance.
At night it was even more spectacular and I was really glad that I paid for the upgrade.
The bed may not have been the most comfortable bed that I’ve ever slept in, but that wouldn’t stop me from staying at the Yotel for another quick stay, especially now that the beds have been upgraded.
The YOTEL definitely offers a unique and memorable experience and trust me when I say that teens will love it. My daughter gives the Yotel two thumbs up. She’d give it more, but well, that’s all the thumbs she has.
You can read the reviews on TripAdvisor to see what other travelers’ have to say about this property too.
Contact Information:
YOTEL New York at Times Square
Address: 570 10th Avenue New York, NY 10036
Phone: 1 (646) 449-7700
Website: www.yotelnewyork.com
Twitter: @YotelHQ
Facebook: Yotel
If you’re planning a trip to New York City with Teens, make sure you read these posts as well.
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Have you stayed in New York City? What was your experience like?
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Jen
Friday 10th of March 2017
Question, what's the most cost and time efficient way to get to/from La Guardia to Yotel
Tonya Prater
Sunday 26th of March 2017
Hi Jen, I can't answer that question as I always drive near the city and then take the train in, however, YOTEL has some great information on their website: http://www.yotel.com/en/hotels/yotel-new-york/transport
InACents
Monday 15th of October 2012
Interesting spin on a hotel. In NYC, it takes quite a bit to stand out in a crowd, but uncomfortable beds are not the difference I had in mind.
Tonya
Monday 15th of October 2012
Had to chuckle when I read your comment, Justin! :) My daughter told me that she had the best sleep ever and that I was just being overly critical. I think whe was just dead tired and could have slept on the street. However, I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and if I ever stay in NYC again, I am willing to stay at the Yotel one more night- I wouldn't book more nights than that, just incase I am right! :)