Very good location
This was a Birthday treat for my hubby and as we checked in he was wished a Happy Birthday from the staff. There was a huge cup cake and a card relaying a Birthday wish for him so that was a lovely start to our holiday here. The staff were very friendly and helpful, the Hotel nice and clean and the rooms very comfortable. I think we could have slept 4 in our bed it was so big!! Breakfast is pretty good with quite a nice selection of hot & cold foods and drinks etc. As said in another review it is best to get to breakfast early, to avoid the crowds and get back in the lifts with no hold up. The paper cups and plates etc are not really a problem, although plastic knives & forks aren't so good but generally you just accept this. A glass each in the room would have been nice though as we do tend to have a drink before and after going out in the evenings. The location of the Hotel is brilliant. Between 8th and 9th it was central for everywhere. 9th Ave is good for finding restaurants etc, Times square and Broadway, beyond for Central Park, Grand Central, Rockerfellas, and Empire State were all within 20 mins or less to walk. We walked down to the river, and it wasn't too much longer. (The aircraft carrier museum is good to see there, much more than it looks from outside including a submarine visit and concorde too (at an extra cost)) It is very easy to take the underground downtown to the ferries and boats. Pier 17 is a good place to catch the hop on hop off tour which takes you up the river and back and you get a good look at the Statue of Liberty etc. Remember to ask for tickets to see the 9/11 memorial, you can get off and view the pools put up in memory of all that died. A very nice way to remember them. We didn't see any options for getting tickets at the site.
Talking of ease. From the Airport, we took the air train from JFK terminal 8 (the train stops at all terminals) just 2 stops, and then took the long island train which took us to block 33/34. (Depending on where you come out!) We were staying at block 42 so just 10 - 15 mins, if that, easy walk and you are at your Hotel. We had thought about a transport bus, although reviews were not good with them, or getting the Hotel to arrange transport, but as it was SO easy and less expensive, we opted for the same going back. Considering it was rush hour when we did so, it was still remarkably good. There are helpful staff at the stations too if you come unstuck. If buying you tickets for the air train on your return from a machine, beware some of them only give a max $6 change. We needed 2 $5 dollar tickets and only had a $20 so it would have effectively cost us $14!! If there is a staff member there selling what appear to be tout tickets, as long as he has the official jacket on he is official. We got out tickets from him no problem. It only takes 25/30 mins to do the whole train journeys, the courtesy bus can take up to 1 1/2 hrs in traffic.
Back to the Hotel, we would stay here again and recommend it to anyone. Don't forget to grab a cookie of the desk when you are checking in, they are cool.