Right in Times Square, right in the heart of this city that never sleeps, stands a new Tempo hotel, from the great Hilton family. We tested it. And yes, we actually slept there.
Tempo? If the name doesn’t ring a bell, it’s because the news has been passed over lightly. The Hilton chain actually expanded its range of hotels a few years ago: in January 2020. Halfway between the popular Garden Tree and the chic Canopy are now these hotels called Tempo, which target a very specific audience: “ambitious and modern travelers” looking for services but also style. The goal: to “relax” and “recharge,” states the launch press release.
After Nashville then Louisville, Hilton’s new Tempo hotel opened in New York last year, in 2023. During a recent stay in the Big Apple, we were invited to try it.
Located directly on the corner of 7th Avenue and 47th Street, just steps from the red steps of Times Square, it’s hard to be more central to life. Archicentral, there’s a subway entrance right at its feet (and another one just a block away, as well as a pretzel stand, a souvenir shop, or a Minnie Mouse mascot—if you want some action, here it is!).
To access its chic and bright lobby (on the 11th floor, above a theater), you have to take an elevator, and there you are: in a true oasis of calm, despite the world, because obviously, it enters and it comes out at all hours of the day and night here!
The hotel stretches over 36 floors and has 661 rooms, all with large beds (very comfortable, queen or king size) only. Its main, and not least, attraction: the view. Because of its location, several rooms here overlook Times Square, with its huge light panels. A very good plan for New Year’s Eve, for a prime spot to see the famous ball fall at midnight. And windows going from floor to ceiling, this has the merit of giving a real illusion of grandeur to the rooms which are quite small, although very functional.
If you’re wondering: yes, it’s soundproof. And it’s quite spectacular: as much as you can open the window slightly and immediately hear a horn sound, as much as as soon as you close it, it’s silence in your cocoon. Well, not total silence, but let’s just say that we’ve seen much worse in Manhattan, and not much better. And we’ve never slept so close to the heart either.
For the rest, the rooms have a work area, with a large television screen (65 inches), a coffee machine (Nespresso), in addition to a minifridge, very practical for an extended stay, knowing that the bistro of the hotel is far from cheap.
Storage wise: a few hooks (never enough), plenty of hangers and two shelves, but no drawers. We make up for it with the large bathroom, with numerous mirrors, one of which has an integrated Bluetooth speaker. We really appreciated the Apotheke products offered, a little less the slight musty smell of the shower when we woke up.
Otherwise, know that the hotel has a gym and a restaurant/bar (named Highball), of which we heard great things about its cocktails, but we abstained, given the prices (more than US$8 for a simple latte, it cooled us slightly).
That said, animal lovers, good news: your little companions are welcome here!
