Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square

About Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square

This is a practical Midtown base for travelers who want the Theater District, Times Square and the subway within a short walk of the lobby. Couples on a theater weekend, small groups, and business travelers with meetings in Midtown all fit here. Families book it for the family rooms and the short walk back after an evening show. Late arrivals land on a staffed desk at any hour. The address on West 46th Street keeps the noise of the square at a distance while leaving it close.

The hotel carries a four-star official rating and a guest score of 4.4 out of 5 from 9,122 reviews, which is the booking supplier's figure rather than an independent inspection. Expect a full-service city hotel rather than a quiet boutique, with a breakfast service, a fitness center and a business center. The building suits a short Manhattan trip built around shows, museums and walking. Guests who want a small house with a courtyard should choose another style of stay.

Rooms and listed facilities

The supplier lists air conditioning, a safe, wifi and a 24 hour front desk, which covers the basics for couples and solo travelers. Families have listed family rooms and a cot option on request. Business travelers get a business center, internet access and concierge help with bookings. The desk stays staffed around the clock, so a late flight from JFK does not leave you waiting. The supplier also lists a fitness center, laundry service, luggage storage, lifts, parking and accessible rooms. Confirm parking, cot availability and any facility fee with the property before booking.

The setting

The address sits on West 46th Street, in Hell's Kitchen on the western edge of Midtown, a few short blocks from Times Square. In a straight line, Times Square is about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) away, Grand Central Terminal about 0.8 miles (1.3 km), Penn Station about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) and Central Park at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street about 0.9 miles (1.4 km). The observation decks are about 0.8 miles (1.3 km). JFK lies about 14 miles (22.1 km) away in a straight line, LaGuardia about 6.1 miles (9.8 km) and Newark about 11 miles (17.5 km). Evening curtains are a short walk from the door.

Location and neighborhood

Hell's Kitchen works well when your flight lands early or your train gets in late. The neighborhood fills the west side of Midtown from 34th Street to 59th Street, between the Theater District and the Hudson. Ninth Avenue runs through its middle, with Restaurant Row and a dense run of food places along the avenue. Numbered cross streets make walking simple, and you can reach Times Square, Penn Station and the Port Authority Bus Terminal on foot. Late at night, stay on lit avenues and check current subway service before setting out.

For an early departure, the west-side grid keeps the route simple: head east for the Theater District and Grand Central Terminal, or south for Penn Station. Buses and the subway run through the neighborhood, though overnight service can change, so check the current timetable with the transit authority. Keep your bearings by the avenue names: Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh avenues run north to south. The Hudson River parks on the west edge give a quiet place to wait out a delay, and the blocks near the terminals stay active at most hours.

Getting there and around

Getting in and out is straightforward if you plan for the hour. The road distance from the airport is around 14 miles (22.1 km); where a rail link exists, it can be quicker when roads are busy. Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square is around 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from the main rail station, which helps on late arrivals and early departures. Within the neighborhood, walk the avenues and use the subway for longer hops; tap to pay at the turnstiles and check current service updates with the transit authority. A late arrival should confirm the last train or bus rather than assume overnight frequencies.

Nearby sights and food

Sights cluster on both sides of Hell's Kitchen. The Intrepid Museum sits at the Hudson edge on the west side. East of the neighborhood, Broadway theaters fill the Theater District around Times Square; evening curtains are usually at 7 or 8 pm, so check the show. The Museum of Modern Art is a short walk or subway ride east, and Hudson Yards and the Vessel lie south along the Hudson. Observation decks are spread across Midtown, and Grand Central Terminal is east on 42nd Street. Check opening days before setting out.

Food is one of the reasons to base a stay here. Restaurant Row, on West 46th Street, packs pre-theater dining into a short block, while Ninth Avenue runs through the neighborhood with a long mix of casual counters, bakeries, delis and sit-down rooms. Menus cover Thai, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Indian and Middle Eastern cooking, with pizza slices and noodle bowls for quick meals. Portions and noise levels vary, so look at a menu before sitting down. Late-night options thin out after the theaters close, but the avenues usually keep a few places open.

A day from Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square

A day from Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square can begin early with a walk west to the Hudson River paths while the streets are quiet. Continue south to Hudson Yards and the Vessel, then loop back through the neighborhood for a late breakfast at a bakery or diner. Spend midday at the Intrepid Museum or cross to the Museum of Modern Art, checking opening hours and timed entry before you go. In the afternoon, walk the Theater District and Grand Central Terminal. Have an early dinner near Restaurant Row, see a Broadway show if tickets are available, then return to Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square on foot or by subway.

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 Front Desk
• 24-hour security
• Air conditioning
• Alarm clock
• Banquet
• Bars
• Bathroom
• Breakfast
• Business Center
• Car rental service
• Cleaning
• Coffee
• Concierge
• Crib
• Desk
• Dry cleaning service
• Family rooms
• First aid
• Fitness Center
• Free Wi-Fi
• Garage
• Hairdryer
• Housekeeping
• Internet access
• Iron and board
• Laundry Service
• Elevators
• Luggage storage
• Non smoking rooms
• Parking
• Refrigerator
• Restaurant
• Safe
• Shower
• Smoke detector
• TV
• Telephone
• Toiletries
• Towels
• WC