Our experience enjoying a night’s stay in the heart of New York with views of Times Square and complete relaxation at the Riu Plaza New York.
Twice a day people spill out of the sidewalks after a Broadway show in Manhattan’s Theater District. The air is filled with a heady excitement that can only be found in this area near Times Square. It’s a feeling that you remember all your life; a feeling that if you stop and stand stock still you can conjure up without too much difficulty. New York gets under your skin that way and doesn’t let go; and these streets are only steps away from the Riu Plaza New York. Thankfully, the hotel provides a welcome respite from the crowds of people on the street.
The Riu Plaza New York is easy to find on the corner of 46th and 8th just north of the Port Authority Bus Terminal and a five minute walk from Times Square. In fact, we could see the famous pillar of screens where the ball drops on New Year’s Eve from our hotel room window! We arrived on a rainy Friday morning; happily stepping through the big glass entrance to a purple and silver toned lobby. As we checked in, we couldn’t help but admire the sleek and sophisticated decoration. Lamps that resembled sea urchin shells in pinks and purples hung high above our heads and behind the reception desk a curtain of blown glass bulbs were strung over a grey background, white lines snaking back and forth creating an illusion of a waterfall.
Our room was on the 27th floor. Here the decoration was classic New York with large black and white photos of iconic landmarks lining the halls. Over our bed there was a fantastic shot of the Brooklyn Bridge leading your eye to the window and the cars, busses and pedestrians all doing a sort of silent dance on the street below. Everywhere you looked it was obvious that we were in the Big Apple.
Our king sized bed was extremely comfortable; although I must admit that the bath with jacuzzi style jets was a fantastic addition. We had just come inside from a chilly, rainy day and the bath was perfect to relax and unwind before enjoying a complimentary bottle of cava and a little box of chocolates the hotel had left for us. If there is anything that is necessary in New York, it is a comfortable hotel where you can relax and feel at home immediately. As we lounged on the bed watching TV and sipping our cava, it was easy to settle into the hotel.
The Riu Plaza New York offers all the amenities you would expect from a New York City hotel with a fitness room, internet access, concierge, luggage storage, as well as two restaurants. One is a grab and go coffee shop that is fantastic if you arrive between meals, but need a little nosh to get you through to dinner. The “Fashion” Restaurant and Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We suggest you take advantage of the hotel’s breakfast buffet. There is something for every taste from fruit and bagels with lox to cereal to eggs and bacon. We were able to enjoy a hearty brunch and leave ready to take on Manhattan.
If you are looking for a hotel that is in the middle of the action without the craziness, the Riu Plaza New York is a great option. It’s a bit removed from Times Square; and the thick windows ensure that you can see midtown and it’s buzz without having to listen to horns honking or people shouting. The hotel is also very well connected to different subway lines which is important because if you’ll only be in New York for a few days; you don’t want to waste time on public transit. In addition, the Riu Plaza New York is very reasonably priced considering it is right in the heart of New York. What more could you ask for?
