Make sure they don't place you in a room under the club/lounge bar
I've always found the reviews on tripadvisor very helpful, whether they are good or bad especially the tips other travellers provide, hopefully this one will assist. I booked 2 junior suites at the Empire for my 40th birthday, these were booked in 2011 for an April 2012 trip. On arrival, I was told I'd been downgraded to a smaller room but was receiving a discount for the 'inconvenience'. The room was very small but I was so tired after a long trip, I advised the desk I would sort the room out the following morning. When I entered the room, I could hear music but didn't think much more of it, until my head hit the pillow. There was lound music with a heavy base played until 4am in the morning, at 3am I couldn't stand this any longer and called the reception to be told the last visitors had been allowed in and it would stop at 4am however, they would ask for the music to be turned down. At the time I was at a loss to where this was coming from, the following day I was moved to my originally booked room and discovered that the music was coming from the hotel's own lounge bar on the rooftop (I was on the 10th floor and directly below the music). I explained to the reception it had been like torture and as this morning was my birthday and a special trip, the morning was ruined. If anyone else arrives or plans to arrive on a Firday or Saturday, check if there is a function or event taking place and aks where you've been placed. My fellow travellers were on the 10th floor as well, but place round the side of the building and didn't hear the music.
I am returning to New York again later in the year but will not be using the Empire again or suggesting it to others.
My rating has been based on poor customer relations. I also had to request towels, as these were not replacd after the room was cleaned.