American Dream

About American Dream

American Dream suits travelers who want a simple, unpretentious base in Gramercy and plan to spend their days out in Manhattan. The 2-star hotel sits at 168 East 24th Street, and it keeps the practical things in place: free Wifi, air conditioning, a kitchen and luggage storage. Couples on a city break, solo visitors and small groups who treat the room as a place to sleep fit best here. Expect a straightforward stay rather than a full-service one. Book through the IMPT app.

American Dream holds an official 2-star rating, which in Manhattan points to a straightforward hotel that covers the essentials rather than extras. Rooms come with air conditioning and internet access, and the property lists a kitchen and laundry service. This is a place to sleep well and head out, not a resort to linger in. Business travelers with early meetings and visitors who plan long days of walking tend to appreciate the format. Confirm the details of the room you book with the property.

Rooms and listed facilities

The listed facilities at American Dream cover the basics for most trips. Couples get air conditioning, free Wifi and internet access. Families can use the kitchen for simple meals and the laundry service for longer stays. Business travelers have a place to work online and luggage storage for a late departure. Late arrivals should confirm reception hours with the property in advance. Ask about the kitchen equipment, room layout and what the bar and snack cafe offer before booking.

The setting

American Dream stands at 168 East 24th Street in Gramercy, on the east side of Manhattan at the southern edge of Midtown. The Commissioners' grid is close at hand: numbered streets run east to west and avenues north to south, with Fifth Avenue dividing East from West addresses. Measured in a straight line, Times Square is about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) away, Grand Central Terminal about 1 mile (1.6 km), Penn Station about 0.9 miles (1.5 km) and the Fifth Avenue corner of Central Park about 1.8 miles (2.9 km). Walking distances are longer than these figures suggest.

Location and neighborhood

Gramercy and Stuyvesant Town make up a quiet pocket on Manhattan's east side, a short walk south of Midtown's office towers. Gramercy Park itself is a private square, kept locked and open only to holders of keys, and the streets around it are lined with brownstones and plane trees. Irving Place runs south toward Union Square with cafes and small shops along the way. Stuyvesant Square, further east, is a public park with a fountain and mature trees. The area suits couples who want long mornings, short walks and evenings that end early, with the rest of the city close at hand.

The neighborhood is low-rise for Manhattan, with townhouses, churches and a few small hotels on side streets. Evenings are calm: you hear doorbells, bicycles and conversation rather than traffic. For a slow weekend, the rhythm here is simple. Coffee in the morning, a walk through the squares, a late lunch, then a play or a film in the evening. Union Square and its farmers market are a short walk south, and the East River promenade is a few blocks east. Spring and autumn are the mildest seasons for walking; summer afternoons can be hot and humid, so plan shade and water.

Getting there and around

American Dream sits on the east side between the river and the avenues, with the subway a short walk away at Union Square or 23rd Street. From the airports, JFK and Newark are typically 45 to 75 minutes from Midtown depending on traffic and connections, and LaGuardia is closest by road. As a guide, American Dream is around 13 miles (20.4 km) from the airport and around 1 mile (1.6 km) from the main rail station. For getting around, tap a contactless card or phone on the subway, which runs 24 hours; check current service changes with the MTA. Walking is often quickest within the neighborhood.

Nearby sights and food

From American Dream, the city's main sights are within easy reach. Grand Central Terminal is a short walk or a quick subway ride, and its main concourse is worth a look even if you are not catching a train. The Theater District around Times Square is a little further north; evening curtains are typically at 7 or 8 pm, so check the show. The High Line, Little Island and Hudson River Park are west along the river, and Hudson Yards with the Vessel is nearby. Several observation decks give long views; book ahead.

Eating near Gramercy and Stuyvesant Town is low-key and varied. Irving Place and the side streets around Union Square hold small Italian trattorias, Japanese counters, Indian kitchens and American bistros, plus bakeries for a slow breakfast and wine bars for an early evening. Curry Hill, along Lexington Avenue in the twenties and thirties, is known for Indian restaurants and groceries. For a quiet dinner, choose a neighborhood place with a few tables rather than a big room near the stations. Reservations help at weekends.

A day from American Dream

A slow Saturday from American Dream starts with coffee and a pastry on Irving Place, then a walk through Stuyvesant Square and along the East River promenade. Stop at the Union Square farmers market if it is running, then take a late lunch nearby. In the afternoon, ride the subway to the High Line and walk south to Little Island, or head to Grand Central Terminal for the concourse and a look at the ceiling. In the evening, choose a small restaurant in the neighborhood, then see a Broadway show; check the curtain time and book ahead. Finish with a nightcap close to American Dream and an early night.

Distances

Facilities listed by the supplier

As listed by the booking supplier; a facility not listed here may still exist. Confirm anything important with the property.

• 24-hour security
• Air conditioning
• Snack bar
• Bathroom
• Cleaning
• First aid
• Free Wi-Fi
• Game room
• Hairdryer
• Internet access
• Kitchen
• Laundry Service
• Lounge
• Luggage storage
• Non smoking rooms
• Shower
• Smoke detector
• TV
• Towels
• WC
• Wi-Fi