The Empire Hotel
New York
Visit nearby Lincoln Center for world-class performing arts events.
The Empire Hotel offers guests a sophisticated experience in New York City’s dynamic Upper West Side. Notably famous for its rooftop space, The Empire Rooftop Bar & Lounge provides an elegant setting where visitors can indulge in expertly crafted cocktails and light snacks, while soaking in expansive views of the city. This thoughtfully designed rooftop features both east and west terraces, offering a broad perspective of the urban skyline. The setting is topped off by the iconic 'Hotel Empire' sign shining above, conveying a classic city feel.
The hotel features a range of accommodations, including spacious one- and two-bedroom suites that present luxury city living with modern amenities. These rooms are well-suited for a variety of travel needs, whether guests are visiting with friends and family or seeking an extensive space to relax amidst the city’s vibrant energy.
For those looking to unwind, the Empire Hotel's rooftop plunge pool presents a unique opportunity to enjoy the summer sun in a picturesque setting. The bi-level area encourages relaxation with its inviting plunge pool and surrounding seating, allowing for a tranquil retreat overhead the bustling streets.
Culinary enthusiasts can enjoy the bold Mexican flavors at Rosa Mexicano, conveniently located within the hotel. This particular dining spot provides an engaging atmosphere with its reimagined mezzanine level location, a continuation of its role as a favored destination for those seeking vibrant meals and celebrations.
The Empire Hotel's central position allows guests easy access to many of New York City's cultural landmarks and leisure spots such as Central Park and Lincoln Center. With a laid-back yet polished atmosphere, it caters well to those seeking proximity to quintessential New York experiences while enjoying a refined lodging environment.
Reviews
I visit NYC 4-5x/yr. This property is a conveniently located UWS hotel, mere steps from Juilliard & Lincoln Center. Staff is “above & beyond” helpful & customer focused. The lobby is lovely, and WiFi is great! The downside: the rooms are TINY (tinier than most NYC hotels, honestly) but competitively priced for the area. Beds are decently comfortable and my room was clean. There has been an attempt to “update” the plumbing in the bathrooms, and it’s better than before BUT cheap fixtures so I doubt they’ll last long. Charging ports were adequate (located in the lamps) and functional. This property is vintage, and the rooms show their age in spite of paint, etc., to try to freshen them. My biggest issue was the AC—thermostat in my room read 67, and I could not change the fan nor the temp (controlled by the hotel). I FROZE all evening and no extra blankets in the room. The sound of the fan did drown out the city noise, tho—no sound machine needed, lol. The hallways, in contrast, were exceedingly warm. And the elevator is slow & noisy (tho it WAS functional and efficient). My take—I’d stay again if I just need a place to sleep/park my bags while in the city for a short visit. For longer than a night, or traveling with my spouse, I’ll likely hit up the roomier hotel offerings in Midtown or Columbus circle.
My girlfriend and I had a wonderful stay for five days. The room was clean and everything worked. The daily cleaning of the room was perfect. The location is great, next to Lincoln Center and Central Park. We also enjoyed several evenings enjoying the rooftop bar, with great views. The staff were always friendly and professional. It was a great stay, and we look forward to returning.
The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the lobby is beautiful. However, the hotel is showing its age and the guest floors could use some updating. My room had peeling wallpaper, visible wear, and some stains. The shower also did not work properly—the rainfall shower would only function at the same time as the handheld shower. There is no phone in the room, so if you only have mobile data and need assistance, you'll need to go down to the front desk. The elevators also seemed quite dated, made some concerning noises, and further highlighted the hotel's age. That said, for the price I paid, I felt it was good value overall. I had a nice view, and the location is excellent—it's very easy to walk to many attractions. The pool was quite small and crowded with families when I visited, and the operating hours were very limited.
Beautiful lobby, great location, but everything else was a letdown. The AC wasn't working when I checked in and the room was sitting at 77°F. I called the front desk and they said they'd send someone up - that never happened. I ended up calling three more times before they finally moved me to a different room. That whole experience pretty much set the tone for the stay. Every time I needed something, staff would promise to handle it and then just... not. Happened during a power outage, happened when I asked for ice. Also worth mentioning - no streaming on the TV whatsoever. Cable only, no Netflix, no Chromecast, no AirPlay. For what they charge per night that feels pretty inexcusable in 2024. The building itself has real charm and I understand why people book it. But charm only goes so far when you're sweating in your room waiting for a callback that never comes. For the price, I would not book it again.
