The Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection, New York

The Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection - A Historic Beaux Arts Hotel with Literary Legacy, Round Table Restaurant, and Blue Bar

Located in a 12-story Beaux Arts building in Midtown Manhattan, this 4-star New York City hotel opened its doors in 1902. The Algonquin features wood-paneled walls, Persian rugs, and Corinthian columns in its intimate lobby, where soft jazz music plays throughout. The Round Table Restaurant serves retro American cuisine and pre-theater steaks, while the street-accessible Blue Bar, illuminated in blue hues, offers cocktails and small plates. A 24-hour fitness center serves business travelers, and guest rooms include Wi-Fi and iPod docking stations. The property's largest accommodation, the 665-square-foot John Barrymore suite, honors the legendary actor who frequently stayed at the hotel. The Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection stands 5 minutes from 42nd Street-Bryant Park/Fifth Avenue subway station and 10 minutes from Grand Central. Key attractions within walking distance include Times Square, Radio City Music Hall, Fifth Avenue shopping, and Central Park.

Pros

Historic legacy as home of The New Yorker magazine's founding and gathering place for literary figures

Resident feline concierge, Hamlet VIII, continues the hotel's unique cat tradition

Lobby lounge provides city views and evening entertainment

Quiet block location despite central position in Theater District

Cons

9.5 miles distance from LaGuardia Airport

Exterior appears modest compared to surrounding high-rise buildings