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Excelsior Hotel, New York
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Key details
About the Hotel
45 West 81St Street,
New York,
New York,
United States,
10024,
New York State
The Excelsior Hotel is a charming establishment located in New York City's vibrant Upper West Side, offering a comfortable stay just steps from cultural highlights like the Museum of Natural History. It provides an authentic residence-style experience with modern comforts infused into classic design. Overlooking the stunning Rose Center for Earth and Space, the hotel serves as a haven for both families and business travelers alike. Its proximity to kid-friendly attractions and major thoroughfares makes it an appealing choice for visitors seeking a less touristy experience.
Location
Situated just 0.2 km from the 81st Street - Museum of Natural History subway station, the hotel offers easy access to New York City's public transport. The Excelsior's location is enhanced by its proximity to Central Park, chic Upper East Side restaurants, and a range of shopping venues. Guests can take advantage of an airport shuttle, with LaGuardia Airport located only 15 km away.
Rooms
The Excelsior Hotel features a variety of rooms designed to provide a unique experience for guests. The accommodations include air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and seating areas with iPod docks. Decor elements like suede headboards and geometric patterned pillows enhance the aesthetic appeal of each room. Options for up to four guests make it a suitable choice for families or groups.
Eat & Drink
Calle Ocho, the hotel's on-site restaurant, specializes in Latin fusion cuisine and offers a popular brunch menu on weekends. The dining area shares the refined style of the lobby, complemented by comfortable seating. Guests can enjoy a leisurely breakfast in a charming atmosphere, while the lounge area provides additional relaxing options throughout the day.
Leisure & Business
The Excelsior Hotel boasts a well-equipped fitness center with various cardio and weight machines, allowing guests to maintain their workout routines. A dedicated business area provides a conference room and business center for guest use. Fitness enthusiasts can also access hiking and biking trails nearby, while leisure options include a TV room, library, and a small play area for children.
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Select your room type
The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
81st Street - Museum of Natural History IND Eighth Avenue Line300 m
Bus
Bus stop100 m
Facilities
The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences
Comfortable Room!
The Queen room was spacious, clean, and provided a comfortable environment for my two-night stay.view full review
Charming Lounge
The public areas featured big, comfy sofas that made relaxing after a day of exploring a real joy.view full review
Modern Amenities
The bathroom was well-lit and modern, providing all the comforts I needed during my stay.view full review
Adequate Gym
The basic gym was just what I needed for a quick workout, equipped with essential machines and free weights.view full review
General
Non-smoking property
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Lift
Ice machine
Sports & Fitness
Fitness centre
Fitness studio
Services
Dry cleaning
Dining
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Business
Business centre
Children
Cots
Room features
Free Wi-Fi in rooms
In-room air conditioning
In-room safe
Sitting area
Ironing facilities
Bathroom
Hair dryer
Free toiletries
Media
Flat-screen TV
Cable/ Satellite television
Telephone
AM/FM alarm clock
Room decor
Carpeted floor
Show more
Location
45 West 81St Street,
New York,
New York,
United States,
10024,
New York State
Map view
street view
45 West 81St Street,
New York,
New York,
United States,
10024,
New York State
City landmarks
Park
Central Park
870 m
Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1.1
km
Square
Times Square
3.0
km
Landmark
Rockefeller Center
2.7
km
Museum
Guggenheim Museum New York
1.6
km
30 Rockfeller Plaza Enter on West 50th Street
Top of the Rock
2.7
km
Gallery
Frick Collection
1.7
km
Museum
The Jewish Museum
1.9
km
20 West 34th Street
Empire State Building
4.0
km
Church
St. Patrick's Cathedral
2.7
km
Park
Bryant Park
3.4
km
2788 Broadway
New York bagels
2.2
km
Theatre
Broadway
2.6
km
Museum
The Museum of Modern Art
2.4
km
W. Park Dr. and W. 72nd St.
Strawberry Fields
1.1
km
Museum
Neue Galerie New York
1.4
km
2 E 91st St
Cooper Hewitt
1.8
km
Tower
Trump Tower
2.3
km
Columbus and Amsterdam Ave. between 63rd and 85th Streets
Upper West Side
690 m
Castle
Belvedere Castle
730 m
Park
The High Line
5.0
km
E 79th St East Side of the Turtle Pond
King Jagiello Monument
760 m
2109 Broadway
The Ansonia
770 m
Zoo
Central Park Zoo
2.2
km
School
The Julliard School
1.8
km
Nearby
Museum
American Museum of Natural History
360 m
Museum
Children's Museum Of Manhattan
570 m
Planetarium
Hayden Planetarium
350 m
American Museum of Natural History
Rose Center for Earth and Space
590 m
Restaurants
Starbucks
100 m
267-275 Columbus Ave
Levain Bakery
920 m
167 W 74th St At Amsterdam Avenue
Andy's Deli
140 m
418 Columbus Ave
Lenwich
170 m
459 Columbus Ave
Famous Original Ray's Pizza
180 m
462 Columbus Ave
Shake Shack
410 m
366 Columbus Ave
Columbus Deli and Food
220 m
476 Columbus Ave
Primo Pizza 84
350 m
57 W 84th St
Joe Coffee Company
410 m
514 Columbus Ave
Made In New York Pizza
420 m
421 Amsterdam Ave At 80th Street
Reviews and Ratings
Feedback from previous guests about their experience.
74%
liked the hotel and would stay again
Convenient Location
Helpful Service
Inconsistent Dining
Room Updating Needed
7.4/10
Very good
Rooms
7.5
Location
8.8
Service
7.4
Dining
6.0
Guest reviews
7.4/10
based on 20 reviews
4/5
based on 2370 reviews
8.4
8.4/10based on 694 reviews
#307 of 528 hotels in New York City based on Tripadvisor
Patricia
United States,
June
2024
8.6/10
My stay at the hotel was simply delightful. The location was fantastic, just a block away from the park and with a subway station conveniently located at the corner. The room was a nice size, very clean, and offered a comfy 2 queen bedroom, making my stay just right from start to finish.
Rooms
9.0
The room in the back was a nice size, very clean, and only one block from the park with a subway station at the corner. The 2 queen bedroom was just right when it went off.
Service
9.0
The service was top-notch. The staff was very friendly and responsive, making sure all my needs were met during my stay. I appreciated their helpfulness with directions and responsiveness to any requests I had.
Location
10.0
The location couldn't have been better. Being right across from Central Park and close to the Museum of Natural History, I was able to easily explore these iconic landmarks during my trip. The convenience of the nearby subway lines was a big plus.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience was satisfactory with fine normal fare available. However, it was a bit disappointing that dining options were not available on Monday and Tuesday. The prices were decent, but the quality was just average.
Facilities
8.0
The facilities provided met my basic needs comfortably. While it may not have had all the bells and whistles of a modern hotel, it served its purpose well during my stay.
Nancy
United States,
May
2024
6.2/10
I had a mixed experience at the hotel. The rooms were larger than I expected and excellently cleaned daily, but it was uncomfortably hot even though it was winter. The lack of amenities and the relatively small size for the price were disappointing. The service was pleasant overall, although not the most accommodating. The location was excellent, close to Central Park and with a beautiful view but felt lacking in friendliness and accommodation at times. The dining options were pricey and didn't meet expectations. The facilities were just average.
Rooms
6.0
The rooms were larger than I expected and excellently cleaned daily, but it was uncomfortably hot even though it was winter. The lack of amenities and the relatively small size for the price were disappointing.
Service
7.0
The service was pleasant overall, although not the most accommodating.
Location
8.0
The location was excellent, close to Central Park and with a beautiful view but felt lacking in friendliness and accommodation at times.
Dining
5.0
The dining options were pricey and didn't meet expectations.
Facilities
5.0
The facilities were just average.
Matt
United Kingdom,
May
2024
6.4/10
The hotel's location is excellent, near Central Park and close to the subway, making it convenient to explore the area. The rooms could benefit from modernization, especially the bathroom, but they were generally clean. The service was friendly overall, though there were moments of rudeness. The dining options were disproportionately expensive for the choices available. The hotel offers some facilities, but some areas could use improvement.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms were a bit dated and could do with modernization, including the small and somewhat oppressive bathroom.
Service
6.0
The service was mostly friendly, with occasional moments of irritation among the staff.
Location
8.0
The hotel's location is excellent, just off Central Park West near the Museum of Natural History and convenient to subway stations.
Dining
5.0
The dining options were far too expensive for the limited choices available.
Facilities
6.0
The hotel offers basic facilities but could improve the dining experience and overall value for money.
Harry
United Kingdom,
April
2024
8.8/10
I found the hotel to be incredibly comfortable and more than I needed. The reasonable room temperature, clean environment, desk, and small chair all contributed to a great stay. The service was top-notch, with helpful and friendly staff at the front desk and with cleaning. While there were some disruptions due to building work, the staff handled my room change request with care. The location was excellent, offering a peaceful experience with a nice view of the natural history museum and easy access to the subway. The dining options were quite satisfying, although a bit pricey for what was offered. Overall, a great stay with minor room for improvement.
Rooms
9.0
The room was so comfortable and really more than I needed, with a desk and small chair, and was very clean.
Service
9.0
The staff were helpful and great, from the front desk to the cleaning service, making my stay enjoyable. They handled my room change request due to noise with professionalism.
Location
9.0
The location was excellent, especially for a more peaceful Manhattan experience with easy access to attractions and the subway.
Dining
8.0
The dining experience was very good, offering a satisfying variety of options, although it felt a bit pricey for what was provided.
Facilities
9.0
The facilities were great, offering all that I needed during my stay.
Charles
United Kingdom,
March
2024
7.4/10
I had a wonderful stay at the hotel. The rooms exceeded my expectations in terms of comfort and cleanliness, although they could use some modernization, especially the bathroom. The lack of a refrigerator was a minor inconvenience, but overall, the room was sufficient for our 2-night stay.
Rooms
8.0
The rooms were beyond our expectations in terms of comfort and cleanliness but could do with some modernization, especially the bathroom. They were a bit small and lacked a refrigerator, but overall, they were ample for our 2-night stay.
Service
7.0
The service was friendly and helpful. The staff, for the most part, was kind and attentive, although there was one receptionist who was not as pleasant during a couple of interactions. The dry cleaning and paid shuttle service were convenient additions.
Location
9.0
The location of the hotel was superb. Being next to Central Park and museums made for an excellent walking and NYC experience. It was very convenient for public transportation, with easy access to the subway.
Dining
6.0
The dining options were fine with normal fare, but the prices were a bit on the higher side for the choices available. Unfortunately, dining was not available on Mondays and Tuesdays, which was a downside.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities provided by the hotel were satisfactory.
Antony
United Kingdom,
February
2024
7.8/10
I absolutely loved my stay at this hotel. The location was superb, just a block away from the park and with a subway station conveniently at the corner. The rooms were spacious, and I had a lovely view of the Natural History Museum. However, the heating system was quite noisy, which was a bit of a downside.
Rooms
8.0
The rooms were of a good size, comfortable, and quiet (except for the heating system noise).
Service
7.0
The service was attentive, with staff going the extra mile to fix issues like clogged toilets. However, there were a few missteps that seemed a bit discourteous at times.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location is fantastic, in the quiet upper west side near Central Park, with easy access to the subway and great dining options nearby.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience was pleasant, with complimentary coffee and a welcoming breakfast service. However, meals were not prepared by the hotel's restaurant.
Facilities
8.0
The facilities were adequate, and the upgrade to a room with a small kitchen was a nice touch for families.
Jane
United Kingdom,
February
2024
7.4/10
The hotel is located in a quiet area near the Natural History Museum, making it a peaceful stay within walking distance of Broadway's restaurants and shops. The service was generally kind and helpful, with only a minor hiccup with one receptionist. Although the dining was inconsistent, the overall experience was pleasant and value for money given the proximity to Central Park and the subway.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms were suitable for a family experiencing jet lag, although they could use some updating. The beds were a bit small for three adults, but we did enjoy the park view as requested.
Service
9.0
The service was exceptionally nice and helpful, particularly from Candace at the desk and Peter, our porter. However, one receptionist had a couple of off moments. The paid shuttle service was a convenient option.
Location
8.0
The location was ideal for us near the Natural History Museum, offering a quiet setting yet close to Central Park and other attractions. The subway access made it easy to explore the city.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience was inconsistent, with some enjoyable meals but limited availability on certain days. The price for the meals made it worth the value.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities were satisfactory, with the park proximity and easy access to both Central Park and the subway being notable highlights.
Convenient Location
Inconsistent Dining
Theodore
United Kingdom,
December
2023
7.8/10
I was pleasantly surprised by the hotel, despite closure on Mondays and Tuesdays due to fewer guests. There was no view from my room, but the front desk staff was very helpful with restaurant recommendations and other assistance.
Rooms
8.0
The room was clean and comfortable.
Service
7.0
The staff went out of their way to assist, except for some issues with breakfast. However, the man helping with cabs was friendly.
Location
9.0
The location was outstanding, with easy access to Central Park and the Museum of Natural History.
Dining
7.0
I enjoyed a nearby Starbucks and a local coffee shop. The buffet was a bit pricey at $17 per person.
Facilities
8.0
The facilities such as the dry cleaning and paid shuttle service were convenient.
Convenient Location
Limited Views
Arthur
United Kingdom,
December
2023
7.2/10
I was pleasantly surprised by the size and cleanliness of our room, which was conveniently located just a block away from the park and subway. The quiet atmosphere was a definite plus, although I found the service to be functional yet somewhat lacking warmth and information. The hotel's proximity to Central Park and the Museum of Natural History made exploring the area a breeze.
Rooms
8.0
The room was larger than I expected, very clean, and conveniently located just a block from the park with a subway station nearby.
Service
6.0
The service was functional and polite but lacked warmth and detailed information.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location was excellent, just one block from Central Park and near the subway, providing easy access to many great places.
Dining
6.0
The dining options were fine, but I found them to be normal fare. It was disappointing that the restaurant was not available on Monday and Tuesday.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities were decent, offering the basics without any standout features.
Samuel
United States,
December
2023
7.6/10
I had a mixed experience at this hotel. While the rooms were lovely to use in the late evening with a balcony overlooking NY, there was persistent banging noise coming from a party on the 2nd floor that was annoying and wouldn't stop. The service was very nice and helpful overall, but I felt that one staff member really needs to take a course in customer service. The location was fantastic, being so close to Central Park, the Museum of Natural History, and transportation options in NYC. Unfortunately, the dining options were not very good and felt disproportionately expensive. Overall, it was a decent stay with some memorable highlights and drawbacks.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms were lovely to use in the late evening with a balcony in NY, but noisy due to a party on the 2nd floor.
Service
8.0
The service was very nice and helpful, but one staff member really needs to take a course in customer service.
Location
9.0
The location was fantastic -- next to the Museum of Natural History, Central Park, subways, bus stops, and excellent restaurants.
Dining
5.0
The dining was not very good and felt like a disproportionately expensive option.
Facilities
10.0
Jonathan
United Kingdom,
December
2023
8.2/10
Upon arrival, the room was a little hot even after I put on the air conditioning, but the Fabreeze made it feel large, comfortable, and quite chic. The staff was extremely polite and helpful with making our arrangements to travel to the airport for our return home. The location is excellent, right across from the Science Museum and a small park, away from touristy Midtown. The dining was fine normal fare but not available on Monday and Tuesday. The facilities were modern in conveniences.
Rooms
8.0
The room was large, comfortable, and quite chic.
Service
9.0
The staff was very helpful and friendly.
Location
9.0
The location is excellent, across from the Science Museum and a small park, away from touristy Midtown.
Dining
7.0
The dining was fine normal fare but not available on Monday and Tuesday.
Facilities
8.0
The facilities were modern in conveniences.
Fred
United Kingdom,
November
2023
6.8/10
The hotel is centrally located in the Upper West Side, perfect for a family of four with teens. The neighborhood offers a nice local feel with easy access to taxis, restaurants, museums, and Central Park. The ambiance is quiet yet bustling with nearby attractions and conveniences; however, the outdated room style and leftover hair in the shower were drawbacks for me.
Rooms
7.0
The room had an old-style decor, and unfortunately, there was hair left in the shower. Free Wi-Fi was not available in the room unless requested.
Service
7.0
The staff was inconsistent due to ongoing outside renovations, but overall, they were lovely. However, dealing with the issue of our supposedly invalid credit card three times wasn't ideal.
Location
9.0
The location is great for families and offers a neighborhood feel with easy access to various amenities and attractions. Directly across the street from the Museum of Natural History.
Dining
5.0
The dining room had limited choices, and additional charges for certain items were not clearly communicated, like the Wi-Fi. The dining experience was uneventful and did not offer good value for money.
Facilities
6.0
Despite some issues, the hotel had paid shuttle services and dry cleaning facilities available. However, the overall value for money was not the best.
Hugh
United Kingdom,
October
2023
7.0/10
The hotel offers spacious rooms with good facilities but shows signs of age. Despite being a bit hot even in late November, the rooms are larger than typical Manhattan accommodations. The service has its highs and lows, with helpful and accommodating staff alongside some instances of inconvenience and unexpected charges. The location is convenient for visiting attractions like Central Park and the Museum of Natural History, yet not as close to Times Square as some might prefer. The dining experience, though lavish, may come at a higher cost than expected, and the facilities are rated as satisfactory.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms are spacious enough and offer good facilities, but the temperature was uncomfortably hot even in late November.
Service
6.0
The staff, including front desk personnel and room attendants, provided valuable assistance and recommendations, although occasional inconveniences like loud noise and unexpected fees were noted.
Location
8.0
The location is convenient for exploring key attractions in New York, particularly the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Columbia University, and offers easy access to the subway, although it might require additional travel to reach some popular areas.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience is described as lavish but comes at a higher price point, making it less accessible for those seeking more affordable options.
Facilities
7.0
Niall
United Kingdom,
October
2023
6.8/10
The hotel had spacious rooms with helpful staff and a great location for exploring NYC. The room I stayed in was not exactly like the one in the picture, but it was big with separate beds. However, there was a banging noise that wouldn’t stop, which was a bit frustrating.
Rooms
7.0
The room was big and had separate beds, but there was a persistent banging noise.
Service
6.0
The service was nice overall, but the staff seemed harried and occasionally snappy with each other. They really need to work on customer service.
Location
9.0
The location was not in downtown, but it was excellent for a quiet stay near the Natural History Museum. It was within walking distance of restaurants, shops on Broadway, Central Park, and the Met.
Dining
5.0
The dining was overpriced and somewhat underwhelming. They need to add more variety, especially fresh fruit and yogurt.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities were sufficient, but nothing exceptional.
Great Location
Banging Noise
David
United Kingdom,
August
2023
7.2/10
The hotel's rooms were large and spacious, but the temperature control was an issue, and the lack of free Wi-Fi in the room was a downside. The service was friendly and fresh, although slightly inconsistent due to the older facility. Its location was excellent, near key attractions and in a beautiful, quiet area, with varied dining options nearby. The dining experience was average, with overpriced options. The facilities met expectations but had room for improvement.
Rooms
7.0
The room was large and spacious, but the temperature control was a problem.
Service
8.0
The staff was friendly and fresh, but slightly inconsistent due to the older facility.
Location
9.0
The location was excellent, near key attractions and in a beautiful, quiet area with varied dining options.
Dining
5.0
The dining was overpriced and only average.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities met expectations but had room for improvement.