gaffannie

We will be in NYC Dec. 26-30 and are staying at the Westin at Times Square, whose exact address is 270 W. 43rd St. We would like advice about what facing direction we should ask for to get the best possible view of Times Square as well as advice regarding which floor to request. (The hotel has 45 floors.) How much of the street noise travels into the rooms?? I am a very light sleeper who needs her sleep, but I don't want to request a higher room if it means compromising the view. Should I bring earplugs?

I appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks.

Rob

You may be able to see some of TImes Square from the higher floors facing east. If you get a room facing south you can look out onto 42nd Street which is as well lit as Times Square

GoTravel

There are so many high rises in that area, you may very well have a view of just that, other high rises. Can you reserve a room with a view?

I wouldn't worry about the noise. For the most part, the first several floors will be public areas (restaurants, offices, meeting space).

mclaurie

Have fun reading LOADS of reviews here.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._New_York.html

It sounds like corner rooms are larger & offer better views, but people liked views on floors in the teens to floors in the 30's. May be that rooms in the 40's are smaller because of building setback. Noise seems not be a problem with windows closed.

Patrick

"Noise seems not to be a problem with windows closed." And as with most newer hotels, there is no option. Windows don't open. I've been walking by the Westin a lot, and from the outside, I can't imagine any decent views except the south rooms towards 42nd street, even though across the street is a huge hole, the start of a giant new building. Rooms facing west get a spectacular view of the row of porn theatres on 8th -- LOL.

mclaurie

Patrick-from a user review on tripadvisor.com

"Stayed at the Westin on Saturday, Aug 9th and loved it. The room was a nice size. The beds and and linens were so comfortable. Everything was decorated very modernly. I would highly recommend this hotel. I didn't hear any street noise and we were on the 14th floor. If we opened the window you could hear noise but, but who opens a window in August? Hotel staff was very nice and the hotel in centrally located to everything. It is right near all the theatres, which is great if you are seeing a show!

Patrick

Funny you should bring this up, McLaurie. After posting my message yesterday, I passed by the Westin again. Despite always noticing the smooth glass exerior which looked "sealed tight", yesterday I noticed lots of windows open -- they apparently open out at the bottom just a couple of inches, and yes I imagine the sound raising up into those outwardly opened windows would be pretty loud. That tends to be one of the loudest corners around, between all the busses in and out of Port Authority, the trucks which actually crosstown on 42nd, and the constant lines of taxis and cars honking at all the pedestrians there who refuse to follow the walk/don't walk signs.

JeanG

If you are a light sleeper bring ear plugs just in case. I live two blocks west of the Westin and it can get very noisy here. One of the problems we have is that the Lincoln Tunnel entrance is between 10th & 11th and 39th & 40th. The entrance ramps run from 9th. Normally it's not that bad, and certainly wouldn't keep you up at night, but sometimes the tunnel traffic backs up. When all those cars start leaning on their horns at the same time, it's very noisy.