Hyatt Herald Square: NYC's BEST Hotel? You WON'T Believe This!
Hyatt Herald Square: NYC's BEST Hotel? Hold On… Is This Real Life?! (A Totally Honest Review)
Okay, so the hype around the Hyatt Herald Square in NYC? It's HUGE. "NYC's BEST Hotel?" They practically shout it from the rooftops. But honestly, after my recent stay, I'm still processing it all. Is it truly the best? Let's untangle this chaotic ball of yarn, shall we? Deep breath.
First impressions? The location is a win. Herald Square, people! You're smack-dab in the middle of everything. Accessibility? Yeah, it's got elevators galore (essential!), and I saw ramps. Accessibility gets a solid thumbs up. But hey, I didn't need a wheelchair, so I can't vouch for the full in-depth accessibility report. Still, good signs are good signs.
Internet Access: Gotta Stay Connected (Or Else!)
Wi-Fi? Free in all rooms! Praise the Wi-Fi gods! Crucial. Absolutely crucial. Especially when you're juggling work emails, posting Insta stories of your epic New York adventure, and frantically Googling "best pizza near me." Internet [LAN] is there too, but let's be real, who uses wired internet these days unless they're, like, data scientists? Internet services seem solid as well.
The Rooms: Cozy Chaos or City Chic?
My room? Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. It had all the usual suspects. Decent size, clean (more on that later), and the bed? Comfy enough that I actually slept a decent night, which, in NYC, is a miracle!
Important side note: My first impression was a little… "meh." It's New York, not a museum! There was some mild wear and tear happening. A slight scuff on the wall, but hey, it's NYC! Things get bumped! Room decorations were adequate. Don't expect anything particularly fancy, let's be real.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Post-Pandemic Reality Check
Here’s where things get interesting. Cleanliness and safety are clearly a priority. I saw evidence of the following: Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and Staff trained in safety protocol. I appreciated the anti-viral cleaning products. Rooms sanitized between stays, you know. Rooms sanitized between stays is really key. Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, and Cashless payment service (essential these days, IMO). Physically distancing of at least 1 meter was attempted, but let's be real, it's NYC. That can be tough! I'd grade them a B+ on all this. Solid, but not perfect.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the NYC Adventure
Okay, so food. This is important. Restaurants are on-site, yay! A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
The breakfast buffet? Decent. Standard hotel fare. I’m not gonna lie, the Coffee shop coffee wasn't exactly life-changing. The bar was… well, it's a bar! Good for a quick pre-theater drink. Room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver when you’ve been out all day and just want to collapse in your room with a burger.
One quirk? I ordered Soup in restaurant from room service one night. It arrived with, like, way too much salt. I felt bad complaining, but I did! They comped it, which was nice. The overall dining experience? Overall, the food situation is pretty solid, but I wouldn't rave about it.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax… Or Not!
The Pool with view? Sadly, absent. This isn’t a resort. Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]? Nope, nope, nope. They gotta' step that up if they want to be the ultimate NYC hotel.
Gym/fitness? Fine, a tiny little thingie, but it was there. I mostly just walked around and used the gym's water dispenser.
About the "Relaxation" Experiences… or lack thereof: Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage - None of those things exist here! Come on, Hyatt!
Services and Conveniences: The Perks That Make a Difference
Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
The Concierge was amazing. Super helpful with restaurant recommendations and navigating the subway (which, let's be honest, can be a nightmare!). Contactless check-in/out was smooth as silk. Daily housekeeping kept my room tidy (hallelujah!), and the Doorman was always friendly. Having a Convenience store nearby was perfect for midnight snack cravings. Luggage storage was a lifesaver. Dry cleaning and Laundry service are available which is great but I didn't use them. They really have streamlined the whole experience as much as possible.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly?
For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
I didn’t have kids with me, but I spotted a few families there. Seems like they try to be Family/child friendly. Babysitting service is available. But I'm not convinced this is the ultimate place to bring the kiddos. It's a great choice but It's not a huge focus.
So… NYC's BEST Hotel? (The Verdict!)
Okay, so, is the Hyatt Herald Square the absolute BEST hotel in NYC? No. Not quite. But the location's PERFECT. The staff? Friendly and helpful. The rooms? Clean, functional, and the beds are comfortable. The amenities? Fine. The food? Fine. The price? Okay, maybe a bit high, but it's NEW YORK, baby!
I mean, I felt safe. I felt comfortable. I would definitely consider going back and I’d recommend it to a friend, especially if they're prioritizing location and a generally pleasant experience.
The Imperfections? The small room, the so-so dining, and the lack of spa amenities. It's not a resort. It's a city hotel.
My Quirky Observation: The elevators are super fast. Seriously. I swear, they could be used to transport people and goods quickly across the city!
Overall Emotional Reaction: 7.5/10. Solid Choice.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into my New York City adventure, specifically, the Hyatt Herald Square. Prepare for a chaotic tapestry of highs, lows, and questionable food choices, all brought to you unfiltered. Here we go:
Day 1: Arrival and the "Oh My God, I'm in New York" Syndrome
1:00 PM - Touchdown at JFK (and the Great Luggage Humiliation): Okay, so, first things first. I, in my infinite wisdom, decided to pack a suitcase that’s basically a black hole. Lost my phone charger immediately. Found my phone in the most ridiculous place. In my sock. The absolute state of me. Anyway, the ride into Manhattan was… a sensory overload. Buildings scraping the sky, yellow cabs buzzing like angry bees, and street vendors yelling things I couldn’t quite decipher. Pure, unadulterated chaos. Loved it. Absolutely loved it.
3:00 PM - Check-in at Hyatt Herald Square (Finally, a Sanctuary from the Madness?): Now, I'd read reviews. "Trendy!" "Modern!" "Cozy!" Yeah, well, my "cozy" room was… okay. Don't get me wrong, it was clean, well-equipped, and had a surprisingly decent view (I was facing away from the Empire State Building, which instantly fueled my petty side). But the real test? The bed situation. Was it firm enough? Yes, it was.
3:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance and the Inevitable Snack Attack: First order of business: a quick tour of the room. Bathroom - check. Bed - double-check. Mini-fridge - ah ha! That little beacon of hope. My first New York snack was… a bag of stale pretzel sticks I picked up at the airport. Glamorous, I know.
4:00 PM - Exploring the Neighborhood and a Glorious Pizza Revelation: Alright, energized by questionable carbs, I decided to brave the elements and wander. Herald Square itself? Honestly, a bit underwhelming. A massive Macy's, sure, but I'm not exactly a shopper. But then, then, I stumbled upon a tiny, hole-in-the-wall pizza place. The aroma hit me first… hot, cheesy, and oh-so-glorious. I ordered a slice, and… oh. My. God. This. Was. Pizza. Seriously. Life-changing. This is why people love New York. (And I may or may not have gone back for a second slice.)
Day 2: Museums, Muses, and Minor Meltdowns
9:00 AM - Breakfast at the Hotel Restaurant (or, the Problematic Coffee): I figured I’d treat myself to the hotel breakfast. The avocado toast was acceptable. The coffee, however, was a crime against beans. Dark, bitter, and tasted vaguely like disappointment. Still, I needed the caffeine because…
10:00 AM - The Metropolitan Museum of Art: A Whirlwind of Wonder and Weariness: Okay, The Met. A bucket-list item for sure. The sheer scale of it is mind-boggling. I felt like I was walking through a different century every five minutes! Egyptian artifacts - check. Renaissance paintings - check. The sheer vastness of it all, though, led to a slightly dizzying experience. Lost my way in the ancient arms section. Eventually. Saw a statue. Got lost.
1:00 PM - Lunch-A quick, tasty, and forgettable stop: Stopped at a nearby deli for a quick lunch.
2:00 PM - Bryant Park and the Question of 'Am I Becoming a Basic Tourist?': Bryant Park. So charming, so picturesque, so… everyone was there. It's perfect for people-watching. I was struck by the sheer variety of people. There were families, couples, businesspeople on their lunch break, actors, and even a woman with a pet ferret! I started to wonder if I was becoming a cliché. Oh well, I liked it, even if I did eat a pretzel from a very attractive street vendor.
4:00 PM - Back to the hotel, because I had to charge my phone: This is the worst, but I was so tired.
6:00 PM - Dinner and a Broadway Dream Deferred (for Now): I had tickets for a show but I had to cancel because I was so tired.
Day 3: Errands! and the Big Apple's Heart
9:00 AM - Late Start, and the Discovery of Amazing Coffee: My body was still getting used to the time zone. The coffee in a local coffee shop saved my existence.
10:00 AM - Errand-Running Adventure (and the Unexpected Charm of a Pharmacy): Okay, errands. Sounds boring, I know. But wandering into a random pharmacy, buying some random things, and getting a feel for the local quirks? Actually, pretty delightful.
12:00 PM - Walking the streets of new york: Seriously, just walking and getting lost.
3:00 PM - Final Thoughts: All in all, the Hyatt Herald Square was a good home base. It wasn't amazing. It wasn't terrible. It just… was. New York, though, that was something else. I left with a heart full of memories, a slightly depleted bank account, and a craving for more pizza. Would I go back? Absolutely. And next time, I'm going to be brave enough to try a real Broadway show. And maybe, just maybe, figure out how to pack a decent phone charger.
Okay, Seriously. Is the Hyatt Herald Square *Actually* as Good as Everyone Says?
What About the Rooms? The "Views" They Show Off… Are They Real?
Ugh, Hotel Breakfasts. How's the Grub at Hyatt Herald Square?
Let's Talk Service: Any Nightmare Stories? Or Did They Actually Help?
What About the Rooftop Bar Everyone Raves About? Worth the Hype?
So, The Verdict? Is the Hyatt Herald Square the Best?
Any Tips for Surviving the Hyatt Herald Square Experience?
