Very nice hotel

While the Hampton Inn was not my first choice, I really enjoyed my stay. Everything else was either booked (NYC marathon that week-end) or had an outrageous price tag. The room was a decent size for a NYC hotel with updated, stylish furnishings. I had a comfortable king-sized bed, flat panel TV and desk. There wasn't much closet (actually a cabinet) and drawer space, but that was fine for a long week-end. The hotel was clean and the staff was very pleasant. The free breakfast wasn't bad. I would definitley recommend the Hampton Inn and stay there again.

Hampton Inn Madison Square Garden

Paying twice what you'd pay anywhere else for a hotel doesn't always mean it's twice as good, but that's New York for you I guess. On the web, this hotel looked better than anything else in the same price range - and it actually seeemed better in real life, both clean and comfortable. Still pretty new, so not looking worn, let's hope it stays this way. Little extras included free in-room internet access, phone calls and breakfast (basic, but it was there). Close to the Empire State Building, it's also walking distance from Penn Station. One downfall: I was awoken quite early by builders acorss the road, but the speed they were getting the building up, hopefully they'll soon be finished! If it weren't for lack of bar/restaurant/room service, I'd rate this a 4-star property. ALMOST worth the NYC prices!

Great hotel in a good location

We stayed here for 4 nights. Got checked in very quickly, pleasant staff.

The room was spotless and very modern with plasma TV, nice bathroom, tea/coffee making facilities.

It was our second visit to NYC and would definitely stay here again as it was in an excellent location.

Very convenient!

This an excellent hotel. The rooms are very modern, brand new, super clean, but a bit small. They remind me a lot of European hotel rooms. All rooms come with a flat screen TV and free internet which is good for those with a laptop. What is missing however, is a desktop computer in the lobby so that those that did not bring their laptops can browse. Customer sevice is excellent. I was checked in and given a room at 10:30 am despite the fact that it was stated that I could only check in at 3pm. I really appreciated that gesture. Breakfast was very good, it came as a buffet and coffee as well as juices could be taken from the caf round the clock. This hotel is a block from Penn station and 2 blocks from the Empire State Building. There is a starbucks and a huge $0.99 cents store across the street where souvenirs can be bought at a fraction of regular prices. The Manhattan shopping mall with its food courts is 2 blocks away. I would go back there, that's a given. Manhattan has lots of dirty and old hotels so i definitely prefer a brand new hotel.

Handy and functional

We stayed at Hampton Inn Herald Square for a week in May. We booked the room through the web site of Tui Hotels Germany and got a pretty good deal.

The room was quite small but on the other hand it's bigger than your average room in London or Paris. Otherwise it was functional, clean and comfortable enough. The hotel has some nice touches like the free buffet breakfast, and free coffee, ice tea, biscuits and so on. The personnel were friendly and helpful.

The location was very good for our stay. It is within walking distance from major attractions and the transportation (underground, buses, trains) are easily reachable. If your flight is for Newark you could consider using the train to/from Penn Station which is 3 minutes by foot from the hotel. The train is more convenient than the bus connection.

There is a construction work going on on the other side of the street so you might want to have a room off the street.

The hotel was very popular during the weekend. You might have to wait for the lift for a few minutes during the busiest hours.

Satisfied Customer

Stayed for a Girls Weekend getaway. Great for the site seeing visitor. I took the express Long Island Railroad train from JFK to Penn Station. It took about 15 minutes and cost a total of $11. Forget the $65 plus tip cab ride--use the trains!! The hotel was just a short walk from Penn Station. You can walk to the Empire State Building and Time Square (although Times Square is a bit of a hike--by many low end cheap clothing and shoe stores) or just go to one of many convenient subway stations to get almost everywhere quickly. The rooms were very clean and nicely decorated, but VERY small. You cannot open your suitcase on the floor and then walk around--its one or the other. Aveda products...nice. Staff was very helpful and friendly. They gave us advise on where to go, what to do, and held our luggage after checkout so we could get a few more hours in before leaving the city. REQUEST A ROOM ON A LOWER FLOOR!!! The wait for the elevators can be painful--better to take the stairs. Line at the concierge and front desk can get long too. Overall--at $189 per night, I was happy.

Good News and Bad News

First, the Good News-All of the amenities I associate with the Hampton Inn Brand were present during my stay: A well-stocked, varied breakfast buffet (and pre-packed breakfast-on-the-go bags, if you're in a hurry), (moderately) clean rooms, and friendly, helpful staff. The location is also great. This hotel is very near the Manhattan Mall and Penn Station/Madison Square Garden.

Now, the Bad News-I encountered most of the negatives that I associate with NYC hotels during my stay: Paper thin walls, a tiny room (I couldn't hang my coat in the closet without steping over my suitcase), an uncomfortable bed, and a tiny bathroom with very little counter space. [There were two adults in the room with two double beds (Room 1502).] Another quirk: because this hotel is on 31st street, which isn't a major street, it can be difficult to catch a cab directly in front of the hotel. We needed to leave for the airport around 5 PM-ish, and after waiting for 10 minutes or so with no luck, we ended up dragging all our luggage over to Penn station and catching a cab there. Not the end of the world, but a pain, nonetheless.

I travel to NYC at least once a year. While I can't say I'd avoid this hotel, If I did stay here again, I would definitely try to get a better class of room, if such exists.

Great customer service

Stayed at Hampton Inn and was so impressed with service. Staff was very freindly always was ready to help with all my needs. I will be back any time I stay in NYC.

Not Impressed with this Hampton Inn.

Just got back from a 4 night stay with my husband and 14 year old son. No roll-away or sleep sofa available. My son slept on the floor. When I asked for additional bedding for him, they gave me 3 sheets. Toilet paper here must be a commodity more precious than gold. The maid never left any and when I asked for some, she gave us a half used roll! The breakfast was the worst I'd ever had at a Hampton Inn, fruit was old and soggy, eggs tasted like cardboard, no bacon or sausage. The non-existent loading zone in front of the hotel, made drop-off and leaving very unpleasant, with taxis and such honking their horns at you while unloading and loading suitcases alone (not a bell boy or doorman in sight). When we travel to NYC again, we will stay anywhere but here. To bad they are giving Hampton Inn such a bad reputation.

Good Location

This hotel is in a great location for Madison Square Garden or the Javits

Center. While not an especially interesting area-few nice restaurants

and no charm on this block, it is close to Macy's, the Subway and walking

distance to Chelsea. Rooms are tiny but well designed, unfortunately

windows do not open. Rooms were not very clean-pills, straws, pins on

carpet. Hair on floor and soiled toilet in bathroom. Breakfast assortment

very good, coffee very good, breakfast room clean and attractive. I

will definately stay here again for trade shows