Fodor's Expert Review Hilton New York Fashion District

Tucked away on 26th street by 7th Avenue, close to the Fashion Institute of Technology (hence the name), this Hilton Fashion District offers a comfortably size room with a bit more style than what might be expected from this hotel chain. Equipped with the modern amenities a leisure traveler seeks (from free wifi to included breakfast), this Chelsea-located hotel offers an ideal launch point to scope out the arts and culture offerings of the city.

room

With 300 sq. foot kings or double queens, the rooms at this location are near identical—i.e. No one gets stuck with the bum room with the bad configuration facing the garbage dumpster. Self-described as “trendy with a corporate feel) with views facing the city, these rooms offer modern conveniences from hidden storage, spacious workstations, in-room coffee, bedside lighting and charging stations. Recently the hotel updated its carpets, linens and snazzy wallpaper make uplift the style element of the room.

bathroom

Loft-style bathrooms with standing spa showers and a large sink vanity (with lots of storage) comfortably fit two people getting ready.

lobby

The lobby looks like a Hilton with a waiting area and central reception desk. The lobby is also an access point to the property’s third-party restaurant Rare.

gym

A small basic gym satisfies the average traveler, but for those who need more from their gym experience, the concierge has passes to Crunch Fitness.

dining

Rare Bar & Grill, a New York local chain, operates the hotel’s all-day food service starting with a buffet breakfast and running through dinner, even providing room service. The menu is classic American meat-based cuisine.

drinking

Rare View is another well-kept Chelsea secret. This year-round rooftop bar, also operated by Rare, spans the whole roof with great views of Midtown and a decent happy hour menu. Bartenders are friendly, prices aren’t outrageous and the word has yet to spread, meaning you can still grab a table for four.