Hotel 414

Just when you found yourself despairing of ever finding a small, relaxed, boutique hotel in Midtown, you run across the Hotel 414. A central location, budget-friendly price point and gorgeous aesthetic distinguish the three-star 414 as one of Midtown's best—and most charming—values.

Quick read

Pros: Great location. Intimate setting. Good value.

Cons: No elevator. Street noise for front-facing rooms.

Rooms

Each of the Hotel 414’s 22 guest rooms features framed iconic New York City photographs. Rooms are outfitted in a refined black, silver and white palette. We loved the sleek headboards made of silver and white squares. Fluffy pillows and cute black bedside tables with handy drawers complete the look.

Perks include air conditioning, a large flat-screen television, phone, safe, mini-fridge and iPod dock. Rooms are on the small side, but they do not feel cramped.

Note that the Hotel 414 is located in the heart of a very busy area, meaning that front-facing rooms will definitely pick up noise from the street. Pack earplugs or ask for one of the back rooms, which overlook the pretty courtyard.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are perfectly serviceable, with cute floor tiling. All are equipped with a hair dryer and toiletries.

Hotel

From the bright red doorway to the understated, simple rooms and personable staff, the Hotel 414 is a fantastic hotel. It’s a true bed and breakfast, with a little nook in the reception area where complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning. The internal courtyard is a great place for dining and socializing in warmer weather.

Wireless Internet access is free throughout. Note that as it is situated in two historic townhouses, the hotel does not have an elevator.

Location

The residential Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood is close enough to Times Square, yet feels refreshingly removed from the bustle. Wallet-friendly restaurants along 9th Avenue offer an enticing variety of eating. For example, there seems to be a Thai restaurant every block–each tastier than the last.

Midtown tourist attractions (Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the MoMA, Radio City Music Hall...) and the Broadway theaters are all nearby, and convenient access to the subway can take you uptown or downtown in a hurry.

Transportation

Subways: The A/C/E lines at 42nd Street-Port Authority Station are the closest, with an entrance a five-minute walk away on 44th Street and 8th Avenue. The N/Q/R also stops a few blocks away on 49th Street and 7th Avenue.

JFK: To reach the Hotel 414 from JFK, take the Air Train to Howard Beach Station, then the A express train toward Manhattan to 42nd Street-Port Authority. Ride in the front car to be closer to the hotel upon exiting the subway. If you exit at 44th Street and 8th Avenue, the hotel is within reasonable walking distance without heavy luggage.

LaGuardia: One of the perks of staying in Midtown is the free Midtown hotel transfer service that runs from Grand Central Station. Take an airport bus from LaGuardia to Grand Centrel and then pick up the hotel transfer.

Newark: Take the Air Train to the NJ Transit station, and then any NJ Transit train into New York Penn Station. The hotel is a quick cab ride from Penn Station, or you can take the M20 bus, which travels up 8th Avenue and drops off between 45th and 46th Streets.