Novotel New York

Surprised my girlfriend with a week away in New York over Christmas in 2017. Looked at a lot of different hotels in the area before deciding on this one, even tho it was a bit on the expensive side for what it is the reviews looked good. Asked for a clean room with a view and we got just that. The views of times square were stunning, you couldnt help but look out even when you awoke at night. The room cleaning was excellent throughout our stay to. We only had breakfast once as it was greatly over priced and not very good at all. The whole layout needs a rethink as some people weren't even queuing, just walking in grabbing a plate, eating quickly, and then walking off. We had our breakfast at Juniors just across the road. Cheaper, better, and they have cheesecake. Drinks at the bar were nice my girlfriend had a few mojitos which she said was some of the best she's had, service however was very slow, not enough staff. Upon returning home i noticed a pending transaction on my card for $500, I thought nothing of it thinking it was probably a breakage deposit or something and would be refunded after a week or two. 3 months later and it was still there. I tried e-mailing, facebook, twitter, got no reply. We had paid for everything upfront and were told there was nothing left to pay at the check-in desk so couldnt think of what this was for. In the end we had to open up a complaint with AccorHotels before anything was done and a week later the money was back in my account, no explanation to why or what had happened tho.

Excellent reception staff and comfortable quiet rooms. Coffee machine and extra pods on request brought to room which was a nice touch. Rooftop bar views stunning. What let the hotel down was breakfast buffet. Long queues. Food and cereal bowls often ran out and took ages to replace. Found myself often asking for things which was a pain as it happened so often. Many wait staff indifferent. Eggs to order were available but never offered. If I had not known beforehand I would not have known that Eggs Benedict, omelettes, fried eggs and poached were a possibility included in price of buffet apart from scrambled. Food that was there was of good quality and plenty of hot and cold choice. Gratuity is looked for daily by waiters via the tab even if included in the price. Overall we would return and recommend.

Go there just for the rooftop with direct view on Times Square ... really amazing view, a lot of room and never crowded when I was there in August. Hotel staff is very friendly. Rooms are clean, nice design and quiet. What is missing for an US hotel is coffee machine in the room... but there is free coffee/tea in the lobby every morning and a Starbuck just in the street.