Arrival/Check-In: I arrived in New York in the late afternoon. There was a lot of traffic getting into Manhattan as expected, but I got to the Yotel as the sun was setting, giving the mostly tinted glass structure vibrancy. The doorman ushered me through the large main lobby, which has a minimalist feel, to the self-check-in computers off to the left. I had a bit of trouble finding my confirmation, but a friendly attendant helped me. In order to get to your room, you need to take an elevator to the fourth floor, which holds “Mission Control,” also known as the concierge desk and dining entrances. I followed the crowd to the elevator bank which takes guests to their appropriate floor.

Guest Quarters: My room was a Premium Cabin, about 170 square feet total; I could view the entire room as I entered. The cabin continued the hotel’s modern and minimalist feel, with stark white bedding and walls and purple hues as accents. It was tricky to fit my luggage in the door without hitting the bed, but I found it nice to have my suitcase and clothes so close. The bed turned into a couch to conserve space during the day; a simple push of a button converted it from seating to full bed. The desk was against the other side of the bed, which didn’t allow me to spread papers out, but it was big enough for a laptop. The setup meant there were numerous electrical outlets in reach of the bed. The room included free WiFi, and the 32-inch flat screen was a nice addition. There was no separation between the room and bathroom, and with the glass shower stall, it’s ideal for one person; if there are two, a curtain can be stretched to cover the area. The single sink did not offer much storage room, but there was shallow shelving off to the side. The floor-to-ceiling window in the bathroom area provided amazing views and lots of natural light.

Services/Amenities: The fourth floor is the main focus of the hotel. The Yotel’s restaurant, Dohyo, is a Japanese Sumo-themed restaurant with a creative seating design; it serves a great lobster slider. Off the fourth floor, a 7,000-square-foot terrace offers great nightlife and impressive views of the city. Guests can rent Club Lounge Cabins that surround the lounge as space for a business meeting or a private lounge to enjoy with friends. Each is equipped with a flat-screen TV, a minibar and food service. Although small in size, the state-of-the-art gym on the fourth level is clean and comfortable and has great machines.

The Experience: The first full-scale hotel in the Yotel collection (the other three are airport hotels), the Yotel New York offers a completely different experience, creating an ultra-modern vibe with a smart self-serve theme. Once you get used to some quirks (like no closets in guestrooms), it is fun. The location is perfect, within walking distance of Hell’s Kitchen and an abundance of amazing Thai restaurants. The hotel is just two blocks west of Times Square and 10 minutes from the Javits Convention Center.

GT Checklist

• Doorman/valet
• Less than 10 minutes for check-in
• Separate tub and shower
• Large vanity
• High-quality towels
• Powerful, unattached hair dryer
• High-quality bed linens
• Large, flat-screen television
• Large desk with convenient outlets
• Large, complimentary laptop safe
• Complimentary in-room WiFi
• Complimentary bottled water
• Stocked minibar
• Ample lighting
• In-room coffeemaker
• Iron and ironing board
• On-site restaurant and bar
• 24-hour room service
• State-of-the-art fitness center

Yotel New York

570 10th Ave.
New York, NY 10036
tel 646 449 7700
yotelnewyork.com