Profile

Since this 70-room hotel opened in 2005, the first-time visitors to New York who call Rockefeller Center their home base have had a place to stay close to “home.” Guests have a perfect view from their rooms of the Christmas tree and seasonal fleet of ice skaters swirling around the rink. And the backstage door to Radio City Music Hall is so close that performers sometimes rent rooms for private-dressing accommodations. As they should, the hotel offers discounts to many local area attractions, including Top of the Rock, NBC tours, and Rockefeller Center tours. The softly-lit rooms are spacious by midtown standards and modern, with sleek wooden wardrobes and HDTV—ask about extras like refrigerators and microwaves. Families with children should note that the rooms only come with one bed. There’s a tiny gym on site, though guests might prefer using the hotel’s discount to Sports Club L.A. around the block. Dining options come in two forms: the private Terrace Club or the rowdy, honky-tonk-themed Johnny Utah’s with a mechanical bull. — Connor Kilpatrick

First-time visitors will appreciate the proximity to touristy attractions like Radio City and Rockefeller Plaza.

Cons
The amenities are pretty limited, and larger families are forced to book multiple rooms.