A Great Hotel in New York City - The Hudson Hotel

What's the best way to visit New York City during a short trip? Stay at a hip hotel in a prime location. This way, you will be able to get the most out of your stay by being able to visit many bars, restaurants, shops, and other points of interest all within blocks away and save both time and money. You may be asking what an example of such place is...well from my personal experience, I can say that the Hudson fits the bill.

Conveniently located in Midtown, near Central Park, the Hudson offers almost everything that someone would expect or want from a hotel in NYC - bumping music as soon as you enter the hotel, florescent lighting leading the way to a dimly lit lobby, and bars on both sides of the reception area. It nicely captures the fashionable aura of New York City, albeit a little reminiscent of the "Hollywood" scene. In fact, you have the option of 2 different types of bars within 100 yards of each other inside the hotel - an energetic bar with a live DJ spinning Top 40 hits on one side and a more laidback library bar with a pool table and mounted moose heads exuding old school cabin charm on the other side. And right in the center are the elevators that take you quickly up to the rooms. You can have a night out without even having to step foot outside! No time is wasted in traffic and no money is wasted on cab rides!

The rooms are nothing to note, as it is very small, poorly lit, and minimally furnished -not exactly a welcoming atmosphere. But then again, people who stay here are not keen on staying inside their rooms, but more likely spending their time outside, whether it is checking out the bars within the hotel or roaming the streets outside, where there are endless options of places to visit. Too bad the tiny counter-less sink in the bathroom and poor lighting are not conducive to putting on makeup and getting ready for a night out. But as previously noted, the bars inside, location, and all the other attributes of this trendy boutique hotel make up for its flaws.

If you desire a break from the bars or just want to re-energize for another night out, look no further. A more serene side of the City is steps away, as the Hudson is located a block away from Central Park. Step inside the park and you can get lost in nature and almost forget about the bustle of the busy streets that make up Manhattan. Unless you look up and see the tall buildings between the branches of trees, you feel like miles away. Or if shopping is what you like, one of the most famous places to shop is also a few blocks away from the Hudson - 5^th Avenue and Park Avenue, where it is a shopper's paradise with endless stores and boutiques of the most popular brands. Of course, arguably the most famous area of the City, Times Square is just a walking distance away as well. At this central touristy point, all other tourist attractions are short taxi/subway rides away.

What makes the Hudson also unique from other nice hotels in NYC is its somewhat mature ambiance. It doesn't make you feel too touristy, as it is literally a few steps away from the Time Warner Center, where locals go to work and shop. Hence you are not surrounded by tourists armed with cameras and maps in hand (except for people like me who try and carry those traveler's essentials as discreetly as possible). Instead, people who live in this fabulous city going about their days surround you. As a result, by staying at the Hudson, you get the best of both worlds - tourist and locals.

The Hudson offers a memorable stay in New York City, with its distinctive interior and exterior architecture and design. Because the building is unmarked with the hotel's name, look for the florescent green lights across the front of the building and follow the energy inside.