Hotel Pennsylvania

At 401, 7th Avenue, at the corner of 33rd street. Close to the Madison Square Garden, Macy's department stores, and one block away from the Empire State Building. The hotel is 18 miles away from La Guardia airport, 17 miles away from JFK, and 18 miles away from Newark. In front of the Penn subway station (lines 1,2,3 and 9).

In 1920, the Pennsylvania was the biggest hotel in the world, with 2200 rooms. It has a coffee-shop open 24 h a day.

Located in an imposing building built in 1918, the Pennsylvania has 1700 rooms spread in 4 buildings placed like dominos. In October 2001, during our visit, the hotel was going through a large renovation project. 900 rooms had already been renovated, as well as the common areas, the lobby, and the elevators. At first sight, the hotel leaves the impression of a big factory with an impersonal atmosphere. The decoration, art deco style, is too showy and does not have much charm. Facilities are, in general, well-maintained and clean, with a downside concerning the weight lifting room, large but old. In short, a hotel without great distinction but that offers quality accommodations and good amenities.

If you consider New York hotels, the rooms of the Pennsylvania offer excellent sizes, especially for a facility of this size. The decoration has no originality, but the environment is still very nice, bright and clean. You won't find a minibar, a safe or room-service but you will find cable television, individual air conditioning, a telephone with an answering machine, an ironing table and an iron. The bathrooms, decorated in beautiful two-color checkerboard tiles, have bathtubs and hair dryers

The Pennsylvania has 2 restaurants, managed by owners outside the hotel. The Landy's offers international cuisine in a classic American decorated setting. The Benvenuti, as its name indicates, offers Italian specialities. The hotel has a coffee shop open 24 hrs a day, at the end of the lobby.