Arrival/Check-In: I stayed in New York City with my daughter for the annual Wherever Awards for our sister site, whereverfamily.com. Since the event highlights family travel, we arrived early to enjoy some family sightseeing. We reached Penn Station at 9:30 a.m., directly across from the hotel, far too early to check in. Because we had luggage we didn’t want to carry around, we stopped by the hotel to inquire about leaving our bags.
There was a line of guests checking out when we approached the front desk. The clerk told us the earliest check-in time was 1 p.m., and that we could leave our bags in the luggage room downstairs for a fee of $5 per bag. We purchased luggage tags, dropped our bags off, and set out to see the city.
PHOTO: © HOTEL PENNSYLVANIA
We returned around 2 p.m. and checked in immediately, retrieved our luggage, and took the elevator to the 16th floor. Exiting the elevator revealed a welcoming common area with a large projection TV, comfortable seating, a substantial wooden table and a chandelier that made the space feel bright and inviting. It seemed like an ideal spot to enjoy morning coffee and catch up on the news.
A staff member in the hallway noticed us consulting the room signs and kindly offered to escort us to our room when I gave her the room number.
Guest Quarters: The rooms feature distinctive green doors, which staff explained are the original doors from the hotel’s 1919 construction. The hotel preserved them during a recent renovation as a nod to its history.
Our room had two double beds, a small desk with mirror, an extra chair and a small table by one of the two windows. From the window, the view of the Empire State Building is striking; I looked forward to seeing it illuminated that evening, and it did not disappoint.
The renovated rooms are modern and bright, with neutral tones, light wood headboards and furniture, and pillow-top mattresses that made the beds comfortable. I was surprised by a surprisingly large walk-in closet—bigger than the bathroom, which was compact and featured a pedestal sink and a shallow glass shelf for toiletries.
Services/Amenities: The fitness center on the 18th floor offers a solid selection of equipment. For more extensive facilities, the hotel partners with a nearby sports club so guests 18 and older can access additional amenities, including a lap pool.
There is no full-service on-site restaurant, but a small 24-hour lobby coffee shop serves beverages and treats; my daughter especially enjoyed the hot chocolate. Hotel guests receive a voucher for a complimentary continental breakfast across the street at Café R.
The hotel provides a variety of meeting and event spaces: large ballrooms near the lobby, smaller rooms on the sixth floor, and seven rooms on the 18th floor that leverage the property’s notable views.
Top Takeaways:
◆ Built in 1919, the hotel recently completed a renovation to mark its centennial.
◆ Original green “valet doors” remain, each featuring a plaque that acknowledges the hotel’s history.
◆ Prime location—just steps from Penn Station and within easy view of the Empire State Building.
Hotel Pennsylvania
401 Seventh Ave.
New York, NY 10001
tel 212 736 5000
hotelpenn.com