Absolutely Fabulous

Having been to NYC several times before, all I ask from a hotel usually is that it is clean and safe. But with the New York Helmsley I was blown away. It was brilliant. Clean, safe, fantastic views, helpful staff. Brilliant location. I have to say that USA advisors on this site tend to expect rather more for their buck than perhaps their UK counterparts. Anyone from the UK will find this hotel outstanding value for money. It is a definite UK 4*. When I go back to NY I will definitely stay here again.

Just okay

The New York Helmsley was okay, at best. At $199, I expected better.

Everything was a bit run down. One of the room phones didn't work. The bathroom hair dryer shorted out every day after about 30 seconds of use. I called the morning of check-in to request a cot be set up in our room, so it would be ready for us. Asked again at check-in at 3 pm.

Came back to our room at 11 pm after dinner and a show to find the cot still wasn't there. Called to ask for it again, saying we had some tired kids who needed to go to bed. (With each call, I was asked if I knew that the cot is $30 extra.) It arrived about 20 minutes later, after yet a fourth phone call. On the plus side, the location is quiet and in a slightly upscale area. A bit far to walk to the Broadway show area. The staff were very friendly and polite. Early check-in was no problem. A room on the 28th floor provided a bird's-eye view.

One of my favorites!

I have stayed twice at the Helmsley New York and, as a woman traveling alone, found it to be safe, clean and friendly throughout. It may lack some of the refinements of a more upscale (and expensive) hotel, but it offers excellent value for price. It is a short cab ride from Penn Station and an easy walk to many attractions. I plan to stay there again in the spring, this time with my husband. (That will be the acid test!)

A sure bet

This was my third time in a year that I stayed at the NY Helmsley and one needs to give it some credit. Since it makes no effort to present itself as an upscale hotel one should judge accordingly. Check in lines can be a bit long when arriving in the late afternoon. The lobby is smallish and the elevators have seen brighter days. In the mornings it can be quite a pain during the 8-9am ruch to get to the lobby as the elevators love to stop on every single floor. The rooms that I've had have been very spacious for NYC standards and fixtures always in good working order. I would suggest to ask for a room up high to get away from some of the city noise. My room in the 32 floor offered a great view towards the Empire State Building. It had two large (I guess queen) beds making it quite allright for bigger groups trying to save some money. The ameneties have always struck me as above avarage with very nice towles, soaps and what have you. Room service is expensive and the quality average but take out places are abound in NYC if you get hungry late night. There is also a great breakfast deli right next door which is a great alternative to the not so great breakfast buffet in the restaurant. Overall the Helmsley NYC is a sure bet for budget conscious travelers (I've paid betweeen $100 to $125 per night) that hate the usually claustrophobic room sizes in NYC. Don't go there expecting a luxury place and you won't be dissapointed.

Great Hotel/Location

My parents and my girlfriend stayed here in June, 2003 and had a wonderful stay. The staff was very helpful and friendly. The rooms are larger than the Helmsley Middletowne (which we stayed a few years ago.) They have a lot amenities in the room which make your stay enjoyable.

The higher you go the better the view. It is centrally located between the times square area and upper east side. We were there for a performance at Carnegie Hall and you could easily walk. The elevators work swiftly which is important if you get an upper floor. The bellmen and his staff should be commended for their assistance to us and willingness to get cabs, take our luggage, etc. The lobby bar is also very nice and appreciated at hotels of this type. The rates for the hotel seemed to have gone up considerably from last year which would prevent us from staying there again this year. Too bad!

Old and Overpriced

The hotel is in a decent location. The hotel is old and hasn't been updated in years. The furniture was torn and dirty. The TV came straight out of the Brady Bunch. I've stayed in NY several times and this was the worst yet. It took forever to check in and the staff was average at best. For the money they want for this place, stay somewhere else like The Warwick that has a better spot and is a very nice, private hotel. Even better if you can find a deal on the NY Palace for the same price. Spend your money elsewhere.

In the words of the Terminator, 'I'll be back!'

My wife and I visited NYC November 21-25, 2003. Stayed at the NY Helmsley and WOW what can I say. From the first step inside the front desk staff was friendly and very helpful. From the Bellhop to the Doorman to the Security staff, we could not be more impressed. For us it had a great location, just a couple of blocks from Grand Central, easy access to anywhere in the City, oh and what a city! Our last night there we were already planning our return visits (that's plural) and the one thing we kept static was that each and every time we return we will be staying at the New York Helmsley. Congrats Leona!

Vvery nice indeed!!!

Clean, really big room - in a kind of skyscaper. I got room in the 78.

floor, and was only nearby the top.... But o'coutse way to expensive.

My work payed the. When i now go to NYC on a holiday, I choose cheaper lodgings.

Cheers from Øivind, Norway

Great location, old furnishings & furniture

I stayed there for 2 nights in October 2003. The room and bath were big enough for 2 comfortably. The bathroom was clean with all the amenities. The towels were huge & soft. Even on the 29th floor I heard the noise of 42nd street. We had the windows open because there was a smell of wet paint and couldn't seem to get a strong fan of cool air from the heater/cooler. The bed, chair, other furniture & furnishings were all probably original when the hotel was built. Great location for transportation or walking. For the price it was probably reasonable for New York.

Good hotel

I stayed at The New York Helmsley 3 nights in march 2003.The location, 2 blocks from grand central was very convenient. There is even a subway entrance half a block from the hotel, which I appreciated on the rainy day.The look of the hotel is a bit old fashioned, think Dynastly and the 80's, but it was clean. ROOM:The room was quite large with 2 queen beds.There was no problem in the bathroom, the towels (with the hotel name embossed, i loved these details...) were HUGED.STAFF:The staff was friendly. On the last day I asked for a late check out at 2.00pm, normally 11 am. The answer was "no problem!"I didn't try the restaurant.I had a air+hotel package, the value was very good.