Park West Hotel

About Park West Hotel

Park West Hotel suits travelers who want a straightforward base on the Upper West Side and prefer to spend their budget on the city rather than the room. The address on Central Park West puts Central Park about 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away in a straight line, and the surrounding Manhattan Valley blocks give a quieter, residential feel than Midtown. Couples on a first trip, families with older children and business travelers with meetings downtown all fit here, provided expectations match a simple three-star property.

Park West Hotel is a three-star hotel, so expect the essentials rather than extras: a bed, air conditioning, wifi and a concierge service, with lifts serving the building. The booking supplier records a guest score of 2.9 out of 5 from 905 reviews, which is worth reading closely before you book. That score is the supplier's own summary of past guest ratings, not a rating from this guide. Read recent reviews closely, then decide whether the location outweighs the compromises for your trip.

Rooms and listed facilities

Facilities listed by the supplier cover air conditioning, free wifi, a business center, a concierge, lifts and car parking, and pets are allowed. Couples can use the concierge for directions and tickets; families will want to confirm bed setup and room size directly with the property before booking, since layouts vary. Business travelers get the listed business center, and anyone arriving late should confirm reception hours and parking arrangements in advance. Ask Park West Hotel about the total price with taxes and fees, and about any facility fee added to the bill.

The listed facilities read differently depending on the trip. Two people touring the park and the museums can treat the concierge as a first stop for maps and opening times, while a small family should confirm what sleeping arrangements the property can offer before booking. Anyone traveling for work can use the business center and free wifi, and drivers should reserve parking rather than assume a space on arrival. Confirm all of this with Park West Hotel, including the total bill with taxes and fees.

The setting

Park West Hotel stands at 465 Central Park West, in Manhattan Valley on the Upper West Side, a stretch of avenue that runs along the park's western edge. Central Park itself is about 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away in a straight line, an easy walk for most guests. The streets here are part of the 1811 grid, so numbered cross streets make the address simple to follow.

The setting is residential rather than theatrical: Manhattan Valley sits between the Upper West Side's busier blocks to the south and Harlem to the north. From 465 Central Park West, the American Museum of Natural History and the start of Museum Mile both lie south along Fifth Avenue and Central Park West. JFK is about 14 miles (23.3 km) away in a straight line, LaGuardia about 4.8 miles (7.7 km) and Newark about 14 miles (21.8 km), so plan airport transfers with the current traffic in mind.

Location and neighborhood

Manhattan Valley starts at 96th Street and runs north to 110th Street, the Upper West Side block by block. Riverside Park borders it on the west; the north end of Central Park sits at its eastern edge. Broadway cuts diagonally through, with Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues carrying much of the local life. The neighborhood is residential, and its food scene follows that: bakeries, groceries, casual counters and small dining rooms serve people who live here. Evenings begin close to home for guests at Park West Hotel, with a meal on an avenue and a walk in the park.

For food lovers, the appeal is choice without ceremony. A night can stay local, moving from a taqueria or noodle counter to a wine bar or dessert shop, or it can use the neighborhood as a calm base before heading to the Theater District. Broadway houses cluster around Times Square, and evening curtains are typically at 7 or 8 pm; check the show. Back on the avenues, taverns and cocktail lounges keep later hours. Weekend dinners fill small rooms, so reserve ahead. Compare menus along Broadway, Amsterdam and Columbus before choosing.

Getting there and around

Arriving is straightforward by rail or road. The area is around 14 miles (23.3 km) from the airport and around 3.4 miles (5.4 km) from the station; allow for traffic and connections. The subway runs 24 hours a day, and contactless payment is standard: tap a card or phone at the turnstile. Stations along Broadway serve the neighborhood, though service changes can affect weekend routes, so check the current status with the transit authority. Local buses run on the avenues; confirm routes and times. If a car brings you in, congestion pricing applies below 60th Street, and the rules are worth checking before you travel.

Nearby sights and food

Sights are close at hand and farther down the island. Central Park begins at 110th Street and spreads south for 843 acres, with open lawns, paths and the North Woods; entry is open to all. The American Museum of Natural History is on Central Park West at 79th Street. MoMA and the Theater District are farther south in Midtown. Riverside Park gives a quieter western edge. Check opening days and timed entries with each museum before setting out.

Eating in Manhattan Valley is informal and varied. Along Broadway and the avenues, expect taquerias, pizza counters, noodle shops, bakeries, diners and small dining rooms. Menus often draw on Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Ethiopian and Mediterranean cooking, with American standards in the mix. Some places are counter service; others take reservations. Grocery stores and markets make self-catering easy. For an evening out, look for wine bars, taverns and cocktail lounges, plus dessert counters that stay open later. Hours vary, so check the current schedule before you go.

A day from Park West Hotel

A day from Park West Hotel can start with a walk in Central Park's north end, entering at 110th Street and following paths south. Stop for coffee and a bakery breakfast on the way back. Midday suits a museum: the American Museum of Natural History at 79th Street is the nearest major collection, and timed entry is worth checking. Lunch could be a casual counter or a small dining room near Broadway. In the afternoon, cross to Riverside Park for river air. Dinner in the neighborhood comes first, then a subway ride to the Theater District for a Broadway curtain, typically 7 or 8 pm; check the show. End with a late dessert or a drink near Park West Hotel.

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.

• Air conditioning
• Business Center
• Car parking
• Concierge
• Dry cleaning service
• Free Wi-Fi
• Elevators
• Multilingual staff
• Pets allowed
• Reception area
• TV
• Telephone
• Wi-Fi