The Avalon Hotel

16 E 32nd St, New York, NY 10016, New York, United States

4-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.3 / 5

The Avalon Hotel is an upscale, family-run 4-star property in Midtown Manhattan, occupying a townhouse-style building at 16 E 32nd St, less than a block from the Empire State Building. Guest rooms are warmly decorated with wood floors, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, work desks with iPod docks, and snack bars with minifridges, while suites offer additional living space and some feature soaking tubs. On-site perks include a continental breakfast (available for a surcharge), a 24-hour library room with computer access and self-serve coffee and tea, meeting spaces for small gatherings, laundry service, and valet parking (surcharge). The hotel's Midtown location puts Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center all within a mile, with the Museum of Modern Art, the High Line, and Top of the Rock also an easy walk or short ride away. Union Square is roughly a six-minute drive, making the hotel a workable base for both sightseeing on foot and exploring further afield by car or subway. With 616 reviews averaging 4.3, it has built a reputation as a reliable, well-located choice for travelers prioritizing proximity to Midtown's landmarks.

Best for

This hotel suits leisure travelers and first-time NYC visitors who want to walk to the Empire State Building, Bryant Park, and Times Square without relying heavily on transit. Its 24-hour library room, meeting spaces, and desks with iPod docks also make it workable for business travelers needing a quiet spot to work outside standard hours. Couples or small groups wanting suites with extra living area or a soaking tub have that option as well.

Travel tips

Book valet parking in advance if driving, since it carries a surcharge and street parking in this part of Midtown is limited. The hotel's location near Grand Central Terminal (under a kilometer away) makes it easy to connect to subway and commuter rail lines for day trips or airport transfers. Given mixed feedback on the included continental breakfast, guests wanting a hot morning meal may want to budget for options at nearby cafes rather than relying solely on the hotel's offering.

What guests say

Guests consistently praise the hotel's staff, singling out both housekeeping and front-desk employees as friendly and helpful, and many highlight the unbeatable Midtown location just steps from the Empire State Building. Recurring complaints center on the included continental breakfast, which several guests found underwhelming compared to hot options like waffles, pancakes, or eggs offered elsewhere. A smaller number of reviewers also mentioned noticing food odors lingering in guest rooms. Overall sentiment remains positive, with location and service outweighing the noted breakfast and odor concerns for most guests.

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