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Pass under the quintessential New York black awning, rotate through the revolving door and Sofitel New York greets you with a lengthy, imposing, Art Deco-esque lair of a lobby. It’s a lowly illuminated but pleasingly warm welcome from New York’s crispy late-fall streets, and while confusingly you’ll need to walk all the way towards the glitzy statement staircase at the far end to reach the actual reception, there are plenty of staff floating around to assist you.
This hotel is Sofitel’s new North American flagship property, which, after a substantial facelift, is a Midtown base that brims with potential. Despite a slightly bizarre entrance and shortcomings in the food offering, the hotel’s impressive location, immaculately designed beds and assured luxury service are where it gleams. Here’s what we thought of Sofitel New York.
Why stay at Sofitel New York?
You probably haven’t traveled all the way to New York for a glimpse at the French way of life, but Sofitel is keen to deliver at least a flavor of it anyway. With the brand’s renewed emphasis on eating, drinking and sleeping well (which they refer to as the ‘French zest’), Sofitel New York has emerged from its site-wide renovation, striving and mostly succeeding to deliver on all those with polish.
The number one reason you should stay at this hotel is because of its prime—and we mean prime—location. Beyond having the Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Bryant Park, Central Park, Broadway and Times Square all within walking distance, this hotel operates with the expertise you’d expect from such a recognizable brand.
What are the rooms like at Sofitel New York?
Options here range from 350 square foot rooms to the lavishly glamorous 1,205 square foot Penthouse Suite. The 398 accommodations will soon become 399, when work on two fourth-floor meeting rooms is complete and a second penthouse (along with the one already on the 28th floor) is created—complete with terrace space for up to 100 people, no less.
I stayed in a Prestige 1 Bedroom King Suite, a space designed in a sweeping loop, leading you from the generous entranceway into a living space with a comfy seating area, on to a capacious bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, and finally to the en suite, via a closet area, which linked back to the entranceway. The carpet, covered in a swirling pattern reminiscent of gradient markings on a map, runs throughout the space—other than the en-suite, finished in an ever-so-slightly dated beige marble. The whole space is filled with lamps, and while that also means a lot of switches, it’s ideal if you’re a Big Light hater like me.
Otherwise, the room is kitted out with everything a guest might need. Two TVs—one in the living area, one at the foot of the bed—plus a coffee and tea station with a Nespresso machine and mini fridge. The en suite’s functionality shines a lot brighter than its appearance—there’s minimal single-use clutter provided, and it features a large, well-lit mirror, a good-sized bath, deliciously floral Diptyque toiletries and a shower with perfect water pressure which gets properly piping hot.
The standout? That’d be the bed—or the Sofitel MyBed™, to be exact. Doughy down bedding is covered in sumptuous, satiny sheets, and paired with the almost impossibly luxe feather-top mattress and a generous helping of dreamily (but still somehow supportive) pillows. It meant some of the comfiest sleeps of my life.
What is the food like at Sofitel New York?
While Midtown is arguably one of the hardest spots in Manhattan to avoid tourist trap restaurants, I’d still encourage you to venture further afield for your dining. New York is blessed with endless food options, after all—the trick is simply knowing where to look.
That doesn’t mean the food at Sofitel New York isn’t decent. There is only one on-site restaurant, Social 45, and it’s a pleasant enough if slightly cookie-cutter hotel restaurant space (oddly branded as ‘The Lounge’, though there isn’t much room to actually lounge), with lots of contrasting marble on the floors and table surfaces, gold fixtures, smooth, curved corners on the bar and furniture, and nicely dimmed lighting. However, the menu here leans expensive without a lot of imagination, perhaps best encompassed by an eyewateringly pricey amuse bouche of ‘grilled cheese and caviar’, which is as random and inelegant as it sounds. The references to French cooking feel like an afterthought, rather than a sophisticated blend.
Room service, however, is good. I ordered my breakfast each morning and it arrived promptly, hot, and each time courtesy of a chipper room attendant. The omelette was tasty and generous, and the morning menu has a healthy array of sweet and savory options—my only advice here would be to avoid the ‘power bowl’, an odd plate of undercooked and underseasoned quinoa for some reason served with raw chickpeas, plain sweet potato, pickled shallots and salsa.
What is the service like at Sofitel New York?
It’s professional and highly reminiscent of a business hotel, with staff poised and formally dressed in shirts, ties, waistcoats and blazers, lingering in the lobby or at the reception desks ready to offer efficient assistance. But while you’re addressed as ‘miss’ or ‘sir’, it’s far from stuffy. To drive the message home that Sofitel is, in fact, a French brand, you’re greeted in French—yes, in this Manhattan hotel—and while it’s unexpected and arguably unnecessary, I actually grew to like it.
We’re told that about 60 of Sofitel New York’s employees have been there since it opened 25 years ago. Every interaction, from check-in to the effortless ease of a room service run, speaks volumes about how experienced this team is; even the smallest services, like replacing my room key, took mere seconds with not an eyelid batted.
What are the facilities like at Sofitel New York?
Midtown hotels know that their purpose is to act as a base rather than a destination, and the Sofitel New York is no different. Aside from spacious rooms and the restaurant, it isn’t packed with facilities—you’re hardly going to be spending much time there, after all. However, there is a 24-hour fitness center with a good assortment of machines and free weights, plus conference spaces and a massive, ridiculously grand ballroom on the second floor.
It’s also worth noting that all rooms are subject to a nightly $45 (plus tax) ‘urban experience’ fee, but that includes $25 credit towards food and drink (though restaurant breakfasts and room service are excluded), a reusable water bottle (for the water stations located on each floor) and a complimentary package (such as 15 percent off at Bloomingdales or access to premium WiFi).
What’s the area like around Sofitel New York?
Drop a pin on the center of Manhattan and it will land somewhere near the Sofitel New York. It’s one of a handful of hotels lined up on West 44th Street, which sits between Fifth and Sixth Avenue just two blocks away from Bryant Park, and its heart-of-the-action location is undoubtedly its biggest draw.
Midtown, while famously touristy, busy, noisy and pricey, is also one of the most convenient neighborhoods to stay in New York if you’re a first-time visitor keen to maximize sightseeing. Walk six blocks north to the Rockefeller Center (which I sincerely recommend visiting on a clear evening at around 11pm), 15 to Central Park (and go via 5th Avenue for the shopping and a peek at the Plaza), or head west for Times Square and, of course, Broadway.
If, like me, you’re a fan of all things briney, head to the aggressively-named cocktail bar NOTHING REALLY MATTERS, which is burrowed inside 50 St subway (via the entrance next to Famous New York Pizza) and order the ‘Dirty Martini On The Rocks’: it’s a sickeningly drinkable concoction of Vodka (or gin, if you prefer), dry vermouth, olives and blue cheese. For dinner nearby, try Nisran’s Kitchen or Kochi.
Why should you book a stay at Sofitel New York?
This hotel, if you have the cash, is a convenient and reliable base for a first or extended visit to New York. Excellent transport links, an abundance of landmarks, rooms and suites with ample space for respite, all delivered by the safe hands of experienced high-end hospitality professionals, mean you can expect a comfortable and smooth stay right at the Center of the Universe.
DETAILS
Address: 45 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036, USA
Price per night: Rooms start at $550 including breakfast
Closest transport: 42 St-Bryant Park subway station, for the B, D, F and M trains, is two blocks away, and you’re a 10-minute walk from Grand Central Station. LaGuardia Airport is a 45 minute drive, Newark is 50 and JFK is one hour and 10 minutes.
Book now: via Booking.com
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