"Empire Hotel NYC — Great Location, But Showing Its Age
We stayed at the Empire Hotel for our NYC trip, and overall, I’d say the location is definitely the biggest selling point. It’s directly across from Lincoln Center, just a short walk to Central Park and Columbus Circle, and close to the subway. We could easily get around the city and come back to a quieter area away from the craziness of Times Square.
The hotel itself has a really cool old-school NYC vibe. The lobby is beautiful and has a lot of character, and of course, the famous red Empire sign on the rooftop is iconic. The rooftop area was definitely one of the highlights.
Our room was comfortable and clean, and the staff we interacted with were friendly and helpful. That said, the hotel is definitely showing its age. Some areas could use some updating, and I wouldn't describe the rooms as luxurious for the price. That seems to be a pretty common theme in recent guest reviews as well.
For us, the location made up for a lot. Being able to walk to Central Park, Lincoln Center and Columbus Circle—and having the subway so close—was incredibly convenient.
Would I stay here again? Probably, especially if I got a good rate. I’d choose the Empire more for its location, character and NYC atmosphere than for a luxury hotel experience.
Overall: 4/5 ⭐️
Great location, cool NYC character, friendly staff and a fun rooftop—but the rooms and some of the hotel could definitely use a refresh."
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