The Conrad is in the Battery Park area of downtown NY. It is surrounded by a mix of offices and apartment blocks and has less traffic than central areas making it quiet at night. Despite being away from the main tourist areas around Times Square and Central Park it is handy for many attractions such as the 9/11 memorial a block away and the ferries to Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Staten Island.
There is much construction ongoing in most parts of New York and although this is evident in Battery Park it did not disturb us at all in the hotel. The hotel is located near the Hudson River waterfront which has a lovely leafy pedestrian and cycle way in both directions, ideal for jogging or walking to the ferries. Riverview rooms look out over the Irish Hunger Memorial park and a ferry jetty towards Jersey City and are highly recommended. The best rooms and views are on higher floors on a corner – we were on the top 15th floor.
The hotel lobby area is stunning with an atrium containing a spectacular artwork stretching to the top floor. There is a good bar and restaurant here plus a small rooftop bar open in good weather from May onwards. The atrium bar is popular with office workers for after work drinks but gets quieter later. There is a cinema complex hidden within the hotel building – ask for a room away from this area as we noted some noise – and a number of restaurants close by. There are also some useful food takeaway and delivery shops in the arcade adjoining the hotel.
We had continental breakfast included in the room rate – but there was a choice of either pastries/croissants, granola, a plate full of fresh fruit, porridge, or scrambled egg on bruschetta plus orange juice and coffee. Alternatively you could choose something from the cooked menu and take part credit against the cost.
All rooms are suites so we had a living area with sofa bed and large flatscreen TV, a shower room – no bath – and a larger than average bedroom with second TV. There are screens to slide across the hall area for privacy if someone is using the sofa bed. Whilst the hotel is expensive the size of the rooms make it good value, especially if like us you like to retire to the room after dinner and relax and watch TV or research the next day's trips on-line. We booked the whole trip on expedia so got a really good room rate.
Rooms have just about everything you need – the two TVs, alarm clock/radio, safe, internet and wifi at extra cost, desk, coffee/hot water machine, mini-bar – you can request a separate fridge if you need one for your own drinks, milk etc – a supply of coffee pods and tea bags, hairdrier, umbrella, iron, free newspaper,
There is a free local circular bus with a stop at the hotel which is handy – see downtownny.com under "getting around" – but the subway stations are only a 10 minute walk away and you can get anywhere in Manhattan or Brooklyn from there very cheaply, a 7 day pass was $31 each. Also recommended are the Gray Line open top bus tours, we had a 3 day pass which included 4 tours, hop on hop off as many times as you liked.
The Conrad is undoubtedly the best hotel we have stayed in on holiday. We had undisturbed sleep every night, comfortable beds, easily manageable room temperature, a great shower and plenty of space to relax in plus a good view. All the staff were welcoming, friendly and helpful. The guests varied from business folk to couples, honeymooners, small groups, families with small children and even a famous professional basketball team! All seemed to be very well looked after and impressed with their stay.
We have no hesitation in recommending this hotel to Silver Travellers looking for a quiet hotel on a luxury break in New York. If you want further evidence of the quality check tripadvisor reviews.
