If you're looking for a business class hotel in mid-town Manhattan, you can't go wrong with the Hilton New York. It's between 53rd and 54th Street and 6th Ave (Ave of the Americas) and is therefore located within walking distances to Broadway theatres (one block over on 7th Ave), Rockefeller Center (down 6th Ave @ 50th Street) and offices in Mid-Town Manhattan.

We visited New York in October and stayed at the Hilton for 2 nights with our children and what follows below is a recap of our experience.

The front-desk was efficient and awful at the same time. No smiles at all but I chalked it up to the standard New York culture. I had requested a non-smoking room with 2 doubles but I was given a Smoking Room with a King. When I went down to get my room switch, they had to check with a "manager" before making the switch. But I did eventually end up with a non-smoking room. The clerk asked for the spelling of my name when she had my credit card in front of me (hmmmm) but she did ask for a picture ID when I asked for a replacement key.

The desk had a convenient high-speed internet connection and power outlets built into the base of the lamp for laptops. Because the rooms were newly renovated -- the furnishings were comfortable. However, it looked like it had the original bathtub and shower-heads from 20 years ago so not everything was refurbished. But it's nice if you're tall because the shower-heads were placed high. All in all, it was better than what I expected from a huge convention hotel.

Outside the room, there is a new spa and fitness center that's small, but comfortable. Use of the fitness center costs an extra $12.50 a day but is free if you're a Hhonors Silver/Gold/Platinum member. There were the standard cycles and treadmills as well as free weights available. I enjoyed the clean steam room and the lemonade and tea available in the spa.

Breakfast is available in the hotel at the New York Marketplace restaurant ($14 for the continental buffet; $17 for the full American buffet with eggs and omelets cooked to order and $19 for the Japanese buffet). There's also the standard hotel lounge which was very loud and filled with smoke; and a high-end Italian restaurant ($40 entrees). I enjoyed the buffet for breakfast, but enjoyed walking down the block to a regular New York deli even better.

Conclusion: All in all, it was a very comfortable experience. It's definitely a nice place to be in New York. You won't get really attentive service (It's not the Palace or the Four Seasons) but if you need a nice place in mid-town for business or pleasure, it hits the spot.