Riu Plaza New York Times Square

New York hotels are devilously expensive and the Riu is no exception. The Riu is a very goof hotel but strap yourself in for several unpleasant surprises! Let's deal with the positives first! Then, I'll deal with the Negatives and finally the unexpected. Location is superb!! Only a 4 minute walk to Times Square and fabulous Restaurant Row is in the same street. You can also walk to some other great attractions from the hotel. At the Riu, breakfast is included and it is sumptuous, and you can really load up on it before you commence your day's activity. However, the Breakfast logistics can be a head-ache. ( Will explain later). The Riu is very clean, modern, has great security and also has a comfortable cocktail and bar area. There is also a very nice Coffee Shop there.The rooms are fairly basic but they are a comfortable size. Good TV and WIFI reception as well. We felt very safe and content there! And now the negatives!! Check-in is painfully slow. Many arrivals sit in the lobby looking sullen and bored as they await their room and seats in the lobby are almost fully occupied. We had a very long wait, believe me!! Your entry to the Breakfast room is a night-mare. The Lifts cannot cope with the breakfast traffic and you can be stranded for quite a long time. Then you wait in a fenced-off line for your admission to breakfast. It takes a long time. However, the breakfast itself is very good. A tip...Load up your water bottles in this room while you are there. A big saving in NYC. No tea/coffee facilities in your room. This was very disappointing, considering the high tariff at the hotel. Hotels throughout the world provide this for their guests. Maybe, hotel management can explain Why? Now , to the unexpected, the surprises!!! Can you believe, there is a resort fee of $35 US per night. They Never explained what it covered. ( I believe New York legislators are trying to amend this law.) Perhaps in future, it could pay for tea/coffee in your room for starters. Also, be warned, you pay $250 US as a deposit. Again, not sure why. Make sure you clear this expense before leaving. Having given you a forensic report on the hotel, my final summary is that we liked staying at the Riu and we had a a happy few days there. Yes, even despite the flaws and surprises, we will return. Read less

Expensive hotel for zero benefits. My boyfriend made the booking, his flight from where he was on a business trip, was delayed 6 hours so I arrived beforehand and they made me wait in the lobby all this time , without allowing me to shower and rest in the room WE PAD FOR. He called them 3x asking to let me checkin, even put my name as second guest but still nothing. I work everyday from 5am online and i really needed that rest. They also dont offer any quiet space for guests, no other rooms or chill spaces like other hotels, instead everyone off the streets are crowded amongst the guests in the lobby area around the limited seats. Then, the next morning I asked could I use a computer room area or conference room area to make some online calls (without waking up people in my room) and they said I HAVE TO PAY for that room. So back to the crowded loud lobby again........ So what actually does this hotel offer other than just a bed for 200-300 dollars a night? NOTHING. Read less