Hampton Inn by Hilton New York Times Square

Overview

You know what struck me first about Hampton Inn by Hilton New York Times Square? The lobby actually feels calm despite being right in the absolute heart of the chaos. I mean, you walk in from West 48th Street – which is basically tourist central – and there’s this immediate sense of “okay, I can breathe here.” The staff behind the front desk seemed genuinely happy to help rather than just going through the motions, which honestly surprised me given how many frazzled travelers they must deal with daily.

The rooms are exactly what you’d expect from a solid three-star place, but here’s the thing – they’re clean, the beds are actually comfortable, and the windows have decent soundproofing. That last part matters more than you might think because you’re literally surrounded by Broadway theaters and the Port Authority crowd. I stayed on the 12th floor and could barely hear the street noise, though you’ll definitely catch the occasional siren (it’s New York, after all). The bathrooms are small but functional – think airplane bathroom but with better lighting and actual counter space for your stuff. What I really appreciated was the mini-fridge that actually worked and didn’t sound like a diesel engine running all night.

Location-wise, this place is almost ridiculous in terms of convenience. You’re two blocks from Times Square if you want to torture yourself with the tourist crowds, but you’re also walking distance to some genuinely good spots that locals actually frequent. There’s this little deli on 47th that makes incredible sandwiches – way better than anything you’ll find in the tourist traps. The subway access is everywhere around here, though honestly, you can walk to most Manhattan attractions if you don’t mind putting in some steps. Parking is… well, it’s Manhattan, so forget about driving unless you enjoy paying $40+ per day for the privilege of moving your car six inches forward in traffic. The hotel doesn’t have its own garage, but there are several nearby if you absolutely must bring a car for some reason. I’d honestly recommend just flying in and using your feet or the subway – you’ll save money and sanity. One small thing that bugged me was the elevator situation during peak hours – there are only two, and when everyone’s trying to get ready for Broadway shows around 6 PM, you might find yourself waiting a bit. But the trade-off for staying right in the thick of everything? Totally worth it, especially if you’re the type who wants to experience the full New York energy without having to commute from somewhere quieter.