Novotel New YorkEditor's Pick

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The three-star Novotel New York, currently the only US branch of the French Novotel chain, is a business-class hotel perched above Times Square in the middle of Midtown Manhattan.

Here's some context, for those unfamiliar with the world of French hotel chains. Novotel is part of the massive Accor hotel group. Within the Accor universe, Novotel is classed as a luxury, though not an upscale, hotel type. The Manhattan Novotel's 480 rooms tick all the business class boxes, both positive and negative. On the positive side, guests will have all the amenities they need to conduct their business—and personal—lives (satellite television, minibar, ergonomic work area...); on the negative side, there are those crazy business-class hotel types of charges: a pricey breakfast and a more reasonable $9.99 per day for Wi-Fi use.

Some rooms are just a touch worse for wear. Probably the greatest need for renovation is on display in the bathrooms, with their large old-school tiles. Nonetheless, the grayish neutral color scheme is pleasing, the duvets are appropriately plump, and some views are undeniably awesome.

Downstairs is a vast, bright lobby, with delightfully high ceilings. An atrium offers stellar views over Times Square, as does the hotel’s seventh floor terraces, a fun place for cocktails.

Everyone on staff appears to speak French. In fact, the hotel feels as if it were transported in prefab form directly from France. The result is a little Francophone outpost among Midtown's skyscrapers. Among our Editor's Picks in New York, few hotels feel quite so unto themselves, removed from the spirit of New York.

» Alex Robertson Textor

Note: This hotel was visited by a EuroCheapo editor and is recommended based on cleanliness, location, price and overall quality. EuroCheapo did not charge this hotel to be listed.