Arrival/Check-In: I arrived in New York in the late afternoon. Traffic into Manhattan was heavy, as expected, but I reached Yotel just as the sun was setting, which brought warmth to the building’s mostly tinted glass façade. The doorman guided me through the spacious, minimalist main lobby to the self-check-in kiosks on the left. I had a little trouble locating my confirmation, and a helpful attendant assisted me promptly. To access the rooms, guests take an elevator to the fourth floor, home to “Mission Control,” the concierge desk and the dining entrances. I joined the other guests at the elevator bank, which directs visitors to their assigned floors.
Guest Quarters: My room was a Premium Cabin of approximately 170 square feet, and the compact layout was visible immediately on entry. The room continued the hotel’s modern, minimalist design with crisp white bedding and walls accented by purple tones. Fitting luggage at the doorway required a bit of maneuvering, but I appreciated having suitcase and clothing storage within easy reach. The bed converts to a sofa to conserve space during the day; a simple push of a button transforms it from seating to a full bed. A desk sits along the other side of the bed—sufficient for a laptop but not for spreading out many papers. The placement ensured several electrical outlets were reachable from the bed. Complimentary Wi-Fi and a 32-inch flat-screen TV were included. The room and bathroom share the same area, featuring a glass shower stall, which works best for solo travelers; when two people share a room, a curtain can be drawn for privacy. The single sink offers limited storage, though shallow shelving is available to the side. A floor-to-ceiling window in the bathroom area delivers excellent views and abundant natural light.
Services/Amenities: The fourth floor serves as the hotel’s hub. Dohyo, Yotel’s Japanese sumo-themed restaurant, presents a distinctive seating design and a menu with standout items such as a lobster slider. Adjacent to the fourth floor, a 7,000-square-foot terrace provides lively nightlife and striking city views. Guests can reserve Club Lounge Cabins that surround the lounge, offering private space for business meetings or gatherings with friends; each cabin includes a flat-screen TV, minibar and food service. While compact, the fourth-floor gym is modern, clean and well-equipped with quality machines.
The Experience: As the first full-scale Yotel hotel (the brand’s other properties are airport locations), Yotel New York delivers an ultra-modern atmosphere built around a smart, self-service concept. Once you adapt to some of the space-saving choices—such as the absence of traditional closets—the stay is enjoyable. The location is excellent, within walking distance of Hell’s Kitchen with its many notable Thai restaurants. The hotel is just two blocks west of Times Square and about ten minutes from the Javits Convention Center.
GT Checklist
- Doorman/valet
- Less than 10 minutes for check-in
- Separate tub and shower
- Large vanity
- High-quality towels
- Powerful, unattached hair dryer
- High-quality bed linens
- Large, flat-screen television
- Large desk with convenient outlets
- Large, complimentary laptop safe
- Complimentary in-room WiFi
- Complimentary bottled water
- Stocked minibar
- Ample lighting
- In-room coffeemaker
- Iron and ironing board
- On-site restaurant and bar
- 24-hour room service
- State-of-the-art fitness center
Yotel New York
570 10th Ave.
New York, NY 10036
tel 646 449 7700
yotelnewyork.com