Would Recommend the Kitano
by TripAdvisor Member Cathe66
I stayed for 4 nights in March, 2004 and shared a twin room. The room was plenty big enough for two and we had a large luxury bathroom (had some difficulty working the shower but soon rectified that). Room was quiet, bed was comfortable. All linen and towels spotless.
We had breakfast each morning in the restaurant which was also very good. It was a peaceful place to eat, talk about the day ahead etc.
The front desk staff were helpful, we changed our UK £ to US $ on a number of occasions, all straightforward and no queues.
The bar man was always welcoming, chatty and would give us ideas on where to eat and places to see etc.
All in all, a lovely hotel, would stay at the Kitano again.
Puzzled? Kitano is wonderful.
by A TripAdvisor Member
I'm writing this during my fourth stay at the Kitano and am writing this because I'm surprised at the recent negative reviews. Normal room rates are about $210 and at that price the value is terrific. When the hotel jacks up rates to over $300 during busy times, I stay elsewhere. But, every room I have had has been beautiful. The decor is simple and elegant reflecting the Japanese theme, rooms a reasonable size bed comfortable, full marble bath is large and functional and the windows open. When I hear someone complain about noise in New York, I have to wonder where the hell the think they are staying. And, Murray Hill is a great neighborhood. Want more action - stay in Times Square with the rest of the tourists. One time I did get a non-smoking room that some inconsiderate dirtbag had obviously smoked in and the front desk moved me in an instant. If I were to nitpick, I'd say that the TV is too small. Big deal. Here's a secret, though. If you want high speed internet you don't have to pay for the hotel's broadband, you can pick up the free Wi-Fi from the Kimpton across the street!
Very Impressed!
by A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed at the Kitano from 21 - 28 Feb and found it wonderful. It was my first time in new York and afetr having read some previous negative reviews on the site was not looking forward to my stay. But, I found the staff helpful, friendly and sincere (which is rare these days). After cheaking in we asked to be moved roomns because the two double beds we were given were simply not big enough for two people to sleep in. The front desk moved us staight away and I did not feel like an inconvenience (as I have before). The bar is a great place to start the night and the staff were happy to chat away. The rooms, although plain and simple, were extremely clean and well kept. Turn down at night was a lovely touch to come back to and the windows certainly made my sleeping alot easier.
I would certainly book the Kitano again on my next trip to New York which I am planning already.
wonderful experience
by TripAdvisor Member EmilyNYC
My now-husband and I blocked a bunch of rooms at this hotel for our wedding last August. We also booked the largest suite in the hotel where we planned to have our after-reception party. We originally thought we would have this party in one of the gorgeous, huge balcony suites at the Marriott Eastside, but we were told no parties. The Kitano had no problem with parties, so we went with them.
The staff at the Kitano was incredibly nice, helpful, and accommodating. The suite was very large (almost 1000 square feet, I think) and was perfectly soundproof. It was tastefully decorated--minimalistic and serene, though not incredibly striking or unique except for the general Asian theme. Our suite had a huge, gorgeous bathroom that you entered through the bedroom and a smaller bathroom for guests off of the living room area. We appreciated having the second bathroom--my husband and I stayed overnight in the suite, and I didn't really want drunk guests in the bathroom we would use. We kept the bedroom door closed, and the party just took place in the living room area.
The bar area was fine--nothing special. We brought our own drinks of course.
The only problem we had was that the air conditioning seemed to only go up so high. With 40 people in one room in the middle of August drinking it up, it got a little warm. The staff tried to get the air conditioning unit to put out more cool air, but to no avail. Small inconvenience, though it was not a big problem--it was the kind of medium-cool/warm you could easily get used to. After everyone left, the room temperature was just fine, even a little chilly.
I loved the Kitano. It's a beautiful hotel. The staff is superb, and the rooms exude calm, cool, and luxury. What a deal for $210/$240 per room (the small ones)! I read some earlier reviews unhappy with the size of the rooms and the decor, but regarding size--that's New York! There are MUCH smaller rooms in this little city of ours, and for the rate you're paying at a four-star hotel, the rooms are a very good size. Regarding decor--that's modern Asian minimalism. That IS the decor, kind of what you see at some upscale spas in Manhattan--cool, serene minimalism is the point. Personally, I prefer minimalistic decor to ostentatious displays.
All in all, a wonderful experience, and I highly recommend this hotel!
Wonderful, hats off!
by A TripAdvisor Member
Hats off to the Kitano! Arrived on a Saturday afternoon, only one night wish it were more. Lobby is spotless, beautiful first class all the way. Check in first class, the staff first class. Room large, actually very large for a New York Hotel, spotless, not a detail missed. Bathrooms large, spotless. Room service quick, again first rate. Ordered sushi, good by not great. Priced good for room service, great for NY. The only thing we did not like was the TV size, very small and we wonder way? Upon check out we mentioned to the staff how we enjoyed our stay, we also mentioned the TV size. Two days later a letter arrives from the hotel thanking us for our business, thankful that we enjoyed our stay. The letter goes on to say how they took our comment about the TV and passed it on to upper management. Now folks, that's a hotel that cares about its customer's. It shows the second you walk into the door and we shall make this hotel our stay again and again.
expensive but good
by TripAdvisor Member FrancescaRome_Italy
This is a very good hotel if you're around for business, shopping or tourism. It is a very japanese hotel, even though a bit impersonal. The location is perfect for the heart of Manhattan, the staff is very helpful, and food is very good (i was working in my room and ate those delicious salads!!). Still, it is expensive: 320$ per night but the room was a superior-deluxe and it was very spacious, full of light and extremely clean. The only critic i can make is that i asked for a quiet room and they put me straight on top of works going on in the street, but the concierge went to complain and made them stop. That was quite a fuss in the middle of the night but in New York you can't expect the quietness of a mountain chalet...
Sign in with Facebook
