We were in the Kitano the first week of April 2008 (for 7 days). We had choosen for a premier room. We also asked for a room with a good view. We got a corner-room on the 10th floor, with a very beautifull view on the Park Ave (and Grand Station) and also on 38th Street. The premier room was very large (with writing desk and sitting area) and a little bit more expensive in relation to the standard room. The service has a very high level and two times a days there is house-keeping. We also used the breakfast in the hotel with waiters for the drinks and a great and extensive buffet, also with hot dishes. Because the hotel is Japanees, you also can take a Japanese-breakfast. We found the breakfast rather expensive (incl. all about 36 dollars). Also the minibar was expensive.

The hotel is not very large (about 150 rooms) and very personal and not too busy. The hotel will be the most silent in NY; the isolation is very good and when the windows are closed you nearly don't hear sounds from the street.

The situation is very central but not too busy in the street. You can reach many destinations on foot.

We will choose for the Kitano at another visit to NY.

We stayed at the Kitano twice on a short trip to NYC (with a visit to New Jersey, DC and the Blue Ridge Mountains in between). Booked through Trailfinders, it was good value for a top class hotel in a central location. We booked an additional night after our trip outside NYC which was a lot more expensive. Service at reception was quiet and effective with one very nice, helpful doorman.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay and found that the hotel was well located for exploring Manhattan on foot or via the subway. It's only two blocks from Grand Central Station and many of the sights of central New York are within easy reach. One of the best things about the hotel was the quiet rooms we had - I'm a light sleeper who lives out in the countryside and usually don't sleep too well in city hotels. There was no air conditioning noise (the weather was cold when we were there so we didn't need aircon but I usually find that it's on anyway in hotels like this). The double glazed windows effectively cut down the traffic noise to a barely perceptible level.

The first 4 nights we were on the 8th floor, overlooking Park Avenue and we could see the top of the Chrysler Building from our room. The last night was on the 10th floor around the other side of the hotel with a fantastic view of the Empire State. We didn't eat in the hotel and enjoyed visiting the diner in Pershing Square for our breakfasts.

Clean, quiet with very nice rooms. I'd definitely stay here again when visiting NYC. The only thing I'd suggest they upgrade is to get some HD channels on the TV!

I go to NYC on business every other month. I just need a quiet, safe, clean place. I travel by myself so I need to stay in a safe neighborhood. The Kitano is probably the quietest hotel in NYC. In other hotels you often hear sirens, etc all night. Here it was silent. The hotel lobby itself is quiet. The people that work there are soft spoken.

The service was excellent, especially for NYC... no attitude at all.

The room was modern and extremely clean. Bed extra comfortable.

The downside....Pricey.

If you are going for fun, I'd stay somewhere like the W but if you need clean and quiet, try the Kitano

We picked The Kitano based on the reviews we read here and are glad we did. It is indeed a very nice hotel and in a great location. We walked everywhere except Metropolitan Museum, which by the way it is a must see museum.

The staff is very friendly. The concierge was very helpful. They recommended some great places to eat. Don’t miss Simply Pasta close to Time Square. Fantastic meal.

The only complaint is the size of the beds (they were supposed to be queen beds, but were not even full). For $500 a night, we did expect a bigger bed. But I guess this is NY.

Overall, a very nice hotel.