Times Square's BEST Kept Secret: La Quinta Inn & Suites Review!
Times Square's BEST Kept Secret: La Quinta Inn & Suites Review! (Brace Yourselves, It's Real)
Okay, folks, buckle up. Because unlike those polished travel blogger reviews, this is the actual lowdown on La Quinta Inn & Suites in the heart of Times Square. You're not getting some airbrushed fantasy here. You're getting me. And I'm not afraid to say, after battling the concrete jungle (and the occasional rogue pigeon), this place… well, it surprised me.
First Impressions (and the Elevator Saga)
Let's be honest, Times Square is a vibe. A chaotic, dazzling, sensory overload kind of vibe. And when you're dragging your suitcase through that chaos, the last thing you want is a faffy hotel. Accessibility is key. And thankfully, La Quinta scores pretty well here. The entrance is surprisingly easy to navigate, and that's a win right off the bat. Now, the elevator… well, let's just say it's seen some things. But hey, at least it was there! Getting to my room felt like a mini-mission, but I eventually conquered it. The elevator itself is listed.
The Room: My Little Times Square Sanctuary (Almost)
Alright, let's talk room. And, yes, it had Air Conditioning. Thank the sweet baby Jesus. New York in August is basically a giant sauna. The non-smoking room was a breath of fresh air, literally. I appreciated the Blackout curtains – those neon billboards are relentless. And thank you, La Quinta, for the extra long bed. Because after a day of dodging selfie sticks, I needed to sprawl.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Wi-Fi, which is free – HUGE plus! – was surprisingly decent, even with a zillion tourists all vying for bandwidth. I could actually stream my ridiculous reality TV shows. You also get Coffee/tea maker. Some rooms also have a Coffee/tea in the lobby, too. The Internet access – LAN is available, but who uses that anymore?
Now, the cleanliness. Okay, here's the deal. It was… fine. Not sparkling sterile, but definitely clean-ish. The daily housekeeping was a lifesaver. Because, let's be real, after a day of exploring, I was a hot mess. I also noticed the Rooms sanitized between stays. The Non-smoking rooms.
- Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment
Dining: Fueling the Adventure (or Surviving the Hunger Games)
Okay, so, food. Let's be real, eating in Times Square is a gamble. It’s either unbelievably expensive or… well, let’s skip that horror story. Sadly, La Quinta isn’t going to revolutionize your culinary experience. But, hey, they’ve got options. Plus, you can order Food delivery.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
Breakfast, in particular, had a Breakfast [buffet]. It. Was. Standard. Think your continental staples: bagels, muffins, the usual suspects. Nothing to write home about. But it was Breakfast service, and it filled a hole in my stomach.
Getting Around: The Times Square Tango
La Quinta’s location is… well, you’re IN Times Square. You're in it. The good, the bad, and the flashing lights- the good may be tough to find. But, from where you're positioned, you're within reach of everything. Like literally everything. The Taxi service is right outside. And the subway is a hop, skip, and a shove away. This is a massive plus. Just be prepared to embrace the chaos.
- Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
For the Kids (Because, Let's Be Honest, We're All Kids at Heart)
I don't have kids, but I saw families milling about. This seems Family/child friendly.
- For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal
Services and Conveniences: Making Life (Slightly) Easier
Okay, so La Quinta isn't the Ritz. But it does offer some genuinely helpful services. The concierge was helpful. The Daily housekeeping was a blessing. The Elevator was a miracle. The Cash withdrawal was useful.
- Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center
The Spa Conumdrum (Or, Where's the Relaxation?)
Okay, so the website claims there's a fitness center. Gym/fitness. I didn’t see it. I didn’t look hard.
- Things to do, ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
Safety and Security (Because NYC is NYC):
They have CCTV in common areas. This is a good thing.
- Access: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms,
Wi-Fi: Connected to the World (and Instagram)
Here's something crucial in this day and age: The Wi-Fi [free] was a godsend. Because, let's be real, what's a trip to NYC without posting a picture of your greasy slice of pizza? I found the Internet access – wireless to be very helpful. The Internet access – LAN is also available.
- Internet Access: Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi for special events.
The Verdict: Is La Quinta Times Square's Best Kept Secret?
Look, La Quinta Inn & Suites isn't a luxury palace. It's not going to blow your mind with its opulent decor or Michelin-starred dining. But here's the thing: It's a solid, reliable base camp for exploring the absolute madness that is Times Square. It's clean-ish, it's got decent Wi-Fi, the location is unbeatable, the staff were friendly, and the price won’t make you weep. Especially with all the Safety/security feature. I give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. It gets the job done.
Final Thoughts and a HUGE (and maybe desperate) Offer!
So, you’re coming to NYC? You want to be
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, 'cause this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're talking a La Quinta smack in the middle of Times Square… which, let's be honest, already sounds like a chaotic fever dream. So, prepare for a messy, glorious, and probably sleep-deprived adventure.
The "Pretend I'm Not Already Exhausted From Just Thinking About This" La Quinta Times Square Extravaganza
Arrival Day (aka Day 0, Because Reality Doesn't Start Until You're Physically There)
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Wake up/Stumble out of bed. Groan. Remind myself that THIS is the dream. Pack last-minute essentials (deodorant, phone charger – necessities, people!). Question the sanity of booking a flight that leaves before noon.
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Rush to the airport. Curse the TSA for making me chuck my perfectly good water bottle into a bin before boarding the plane. Contemplate becoming a hermit. Maybe in Iceland?
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (ish): Arrive at LGA/JFK, depending on the budget (and the universe's generosity). Taxi/Uber/Subway (pray for the love of all that is holy that your phone has signal). The city is a chaotic ballet of honking horns and hurried footsteps, and I'm immediately overwhelmed and exhilarated.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Check into La Quinta. Pray the room is clean. Pray the AC works. Pray the bed isn't a lumpy nightmare. Mental note: stock up on earplugs. Times Square is nothing if not loud.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Unpack. Marvel at the view (or lack thereof – let's be honest). Freshen up. Decide that this day is all about survival and getting oriented.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Attempt to find a decent coffee shop. Get distracted by a street performer juggling flaming torches in front of a Starbucks. Watch the performance, get mesmerized, and buy the performer a dollar. End result? Still haven't gotten coffee.
- 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Get a coffee from Starbucks.
- 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Wander around Times Square. Become completely disoriented. Take a selfie with a giant, inflatable Elmo. Question my life choices. Bask in the garish glory that is Times Square. It’s both awful and fascinating. I think I love it!
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner! Maybe find a cute little Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen. Or maybe just grab a hot dog from a street vendor. Let’s not pretend I have energy for anything fancy.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Find a Broadway show! Or, more realistically, try to snag a last-minute ticket. Or, even more realistically, watch the people milling around the theater and feel vaguely inadequate.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Walk back to La Quinta. Get lost. Curse the lack of clear street signs. Finally, stumble back to the hotel. Collapse into bed. Promise myself I’ll actually unpack tomorrow.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep? Ha! Listen to the symphony of sirens and honking, and the general buzz of the city. I’ll probably just stare at the ceiling, wondering if I really need that second slice of pizza.
Day 1: "The Culture Shock and the Quest for Decent Pizza"
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Wake up in a groggy stupor. The bed… is surprisingly comfortable. Get a coffee from the complimentary coffee station at La Quinta. It's not great, but it'll do.
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast at some place like Gray's Papaya.
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Head towards a museum! The Met? The MoMA? Decide on a whim, or get completely overwhelmed and end up wandering around Central Park instead. Central Park is one of the most beautiful places.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Museum/Park time! Take a million photos. Get lost. Find the best museum bathroom ever. Wonder if I'm worthy to be in the presence of such great art and beauty.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Eat! Eat the best pizza ever! Do a search and ask the locals.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Visit the place that the best pizza place recommend me.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Explore Greenwich Village. I love this place!
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner!
- 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Catch a live show!
Day 2: "The Battle of the Boroughs (and My Own Sanity)"
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Sleep as long as possible! Then scramble to get ready.
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Try to figure out the subway. Fail. Ask for help. Get on the right train (hopefully).
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Brooklyn! Walk the Brooklyn Bridge! Feel like a true New Yorker (even if I'm clearly not). Take pictures.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Eat in Brooklyn.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Explore a new neighborhood.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Back to Manhattan.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner! Find a restaurant with outdoor seating and people-watch like a pro.
- 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: One last hurrah in Times Square. Or just go back to the hotel and fall asleep to the sounds of the city.
Departure Day (aka Day Whatever I Can Bear to Arrive Home):
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Wake up with a profound sense of sadness and exhaustion. Pack. Again.
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Final coffee. Say a tearful goodbye to my room at La Quinta.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Travel to the airport. Pray things go smoothly. Buy a snack.
- 10:00 AM: Reflect on the whole experience, what did I enjoy? What did I not?
Important Notes/Ramblings:
- Pace Yourself: This is New York. You will walk. A lot. Wear comfortable shoes. Seriously. Your feet will thank me.
- Embrace the Imperfection: You will get lost. You will be overwhelmed. You will probably eat something questionable from a street vendor. That's part of the fun.
- The People: New Yorkers are… a mixed bag. Some are incredibly kind and helpful. Others… not so much. Be assertive but polite. And for the love of God, don't block the sidewalk!
- The Food: Eat everything! Don't be afraid to try new things. But maybe avoid the questionable-looking hot dog cart at 2 AM… (unless you're feeling brave).
- Expect the Unexpected: This city is full of surprises. Embrace them! Let yourself be swept away.
- Most Importantly: Enjoy it! Even the chaos. Even the crowds. Even the (potentially) bad coffee. You’re in New York City. Soak it all in. Forget my itinerary, just go with the flow and do what you want - or you'll spend all your time just following a schedule.
And hey, even if this trip ends up being a complete mess, at least you'll have a story to tell, right? And that, my friends, is what life is all about! Now go forth, and conquer (or at least slightly survive) the Big Apple!
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La Quinta Times Square: The Secret's Out (Maybe...My Wallet Weeps) - A Chaotic FAQ
Okay, spill the beans! Is La Quinta in Times Square really a "best-kept secret" as the internet whispers?
Hah! "Best-kept secret?" Look, if a secret involves a flashing neon sign and a location you could throw a dirty sock onto from a Broadway stage, then yes, *maybe*. The truth is, it's a *relative* secret. If you're expecting zero crowds and a secluded oasis, you're sadly mistaken. But! For its price point and crazy-convenient location? Yeah, it's pretty darn good. My bestie, Sarah, she's a high-maintenance princess, right? Complained about the *lack* of a rooftop infinity pool (seriously, Sarah?), but actually *liked* the place! And Sarah doesn't like anything. So... there you go. Secret-ish. And not a particularly *well-kept* one anymore, judging by the constant stream of people.
Let's talk location. THE location. Times Square. What's it *really* like being there?
Okay, buckle up. It's sensory overload. Like, imagine being force-fed glitter, screaming babies, and the smell of hot dogs 24/7. It's… intense. You *will* be bumped into. You *will* be asked to pose with a costumed Elmo (run, just run). And you *will* probably lose your sense of direction within five minutes. But here's the kicker: *it's also amazing*. The energy? Electric. The Broadway theaters are steps away. The food options are endless (though your wallet will cry). And yeah, you *can* wander out at 2 AM, jet-lagged, and still find a pizza place open. La Quinta, being smack-dab in the chaos, is the perfect base camp. Though, I swear, I saw a rat the size of a small dog one night. Just sayin'.
Tell me about the *actual* rooms! The most important thing! Are they cramped? Clean? Bearable?
Okay, let's be honest. This isn't the Ritz. The rooms are...functional. Think "efficiently designed" rather than "luxurious spa suite." They're definitely on the smaller side, especially for NYC standards. But! They're generally clean. I'm a bit of a neat freak, and I got a decent vibe. My first visit, though? The air conditioning sounded like a jet engine taking off every five minutes. I swear, I didn't sleep for THREE HOURS the first night! Eventually, I called the front desk, the kindest person I met there - she got me a new room! And the second room's air conditioning was... well, still noisy, but bearable. So, yeah, hit or miss on the noise factor. But the beds are comfy, the showers had good water pressure (a MUST!), and free Wi-Fi is a godsend.
Breakfast? Free breakfast is a big deal! Spill the tea, what's the food situation?
Ah, the breakfast. Okay, here's where things get a *bit*… predictable. It's the standard continental spread: bagels, muffins, cereal, yogurt, maybe some scrambled eggs of questionable origin. Don't expect gourmet. Don't expect a Michelin star. But hey, it's FREE. And when you're facing a day of walking around Times Square, a bagel and a cup of lukewarm coffee is better than nothing, right? Sometimes, the croissants were actually *slightly* edible. One day, the toaster was broken. Another day, the juice machine was out of order. It's all part of the La Quinta charm, honestly. Manage your expectations. It's a convenient way to start your day without having to drop another $20 on breakfast. And the coffee? Well, it's coffee!
Is there a gym? I gotta work off all those hot dogs!
Sort of. There *is* a "fitness center." It's tiny. Like, the size of a large closet. Expect a treadmill, maybe an elliptical, and some free weights. It's enough to get a *tiny* workout in, but don't plan on doing your usual routine. Also, the equipment has seen better days. And it's usually crowded. Seriously, bring a book. Consider the gym your penance before your next broadway show, and then don't worry about it!
What about the staff? Are they friendly and helpful? Important for any stay.
Honestly? It varies. The front desk staff are generally pretty good, always busy making hotel reservations. They are at their post at all times. I've had super-friendly encounters, and I've had… less enthusiastic ones. But they're dealing with a *lot* of people, all the time. If you're polite and patient, you'll be fine. They're pretty efficient. I remember one time, I needed a lost-and-found item from a previous stay, and they were super helpful in finding it. But, like I said, the staff can be very busy. And honestly? A bit of an understatement.
So, the million-dollar question: would you stay there again? Really?
...Probably. Okay, yes, probably. Despite the noise, the cramped rooms, the questionable bagels, and the constant sensory barrage of Times Square, it's a solid choice. The location is unbeatable. The price is usually decent (relatively speaking, for NYC). It's clean enough. And it gets the job done. My biggest regret? Not booking a room with a higher floor level. The lower levels are just *noisy*. So, yeah, I'd go back. But next time, I'm bribing the front desk with a box of donuts for a room on the 20th floor or above. Wish me luck!
