Millenium Hilton - New York, NY Review

The Hilton Millennium Hotel
55 Church Street
New York, NY 10007
1-212-693-2001

The Hilton Millennium Hotel is located on 55 Church Street in New York City. The Hilton Millennium is a 55 story hotel with views of both rivers and the city.  There is a parking garage located on the main level for all guests who travel by car.

Some features at the Hilton Millennium Hotel:

• Located in Downtown Manhattan Financial District
• Check in 3pm - Check out 12pm
• Room rates - from $206 to $528 a night
• Internet is not free
• Mini bar charges if you move a bottle to look around
• Elevator stopped working & we were on 38th floor
• Very uncomfortable bed
• Parking Garage on main level
• Restaurant
• Pool
• Meeting Rooms
• Fitness Center
• Business Center
• Pets Allowed
• Babysitting Services
• Gift Shop

My Viewpoint!
I have been making quite a few trips to New York City lately and have had the pleasure of staying in a variety of hotels throughout Manhattan; uptown, midtown and downtown.  Since the reason I am in New York City is in downtown Manhattan, I wanted to find a hotel close enough where I could walk everyday and not have to hail a cab or take the subway.

A friend of mine recommended the Hilton Millennium Hotel on 55 Church St. when I asked her opinion on where I should stay during this trip.  The Hilton Millennium Hotel's location was perfect for my needs.  It is located directly across the street from the World Trade Center in the Financial District. The Hilton Millennium Hotel is within walking distance of Wall Street, all downtown Courthouses, China Town, Battery Park, The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island.

Upon arrival to the Hilton Millennium Hotel, my sister had become motion sick due to the turbulent flight and crazy cab ride.  We had arrived hours before check-in and was planning to check our bags and head out shopping.  Unfortunately, my sister needed to lay down and freshed up.  The clerk at the front desk was very sweet, understanding and made us feel like we weren't a nuisance at all and found us a room, immediately.  I was shocked at how quickly we were escorted up to our rooms.  The door man even asked if he could assist in having some pepto bismol sent up for my sister's upset stomach.  How nice is that?

My first impression upon walking into the room was "This is my kinda room!".  A 47 inch flat screen television hung on the wall directly across from our beds.  There was a large desk with paper, pens, telephone and internet hook up.  The alarm clock was also an Mp3 player.  The living room area consisted of a very comfortable chair and table (I would have liked another chair since one of us would have to sit on bed). The bathroom was beautifully kept and had all of the stanard amenities that you would have stocked in your bathroom at home, including a very clear mirror that shows every single flaw on your face! 

One feature that I didn't enjoy at all was the hard bed.  I must have been spoiled the last few hotels I had stayed in because the beds were to die for.  The bed at the Hilton Millennium Hotel was hard and uncomfortable.  No amount of pillows could make us comfortable. We were both disappointed with the beds.

Another problem we encountered during our stay was the thermostat in the room.  It was a brisk spring week that we were in New York City and the heat in the room wasn't needed.  In fact, at night, I like to sleep with a fan on and have cool air in the room.  The thermostat wouldn't let us turn it down past 68 degrees.  Our room was too warm all the time.  Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep.

The biggest problem we faced during our 5 day stay at the Hilton Millennium Hotel was when the elevators stopped working!  You read that right!  They stopped working!  Luckily, we were not on the elevators when this happened.  We were waiting for it to pick us up.  After waiting 15 minutes and making calls to the front desk, we decided to take the stairs.  We were on the 38th floor so that wasn't going to be an easy task.  We had on heels and had to be to court by 9 am!  Do you think anyone would believe us when we said "Sorry we're late.  The elevators broke down at the Hilton!"?  I don't think so either.    We went down 15 flights and found a service elevator and employees stopping at every floor to collect clients and bring them down.  Luckily, we weren't going up the stairs!

The staff at the Hilton Millennium Hotel were very professional, courteous and helpful.  During our 5 day stay, we had one day to go sight seeing and we decided to visit Ole Lady Liberty.  I had no idea where we were located in terms of getting to the Statue of Liberty, so we stopped at the Concierge desk.  The Concierge was a very outgoing, polite gentleman who directed us straight down Church Street until it ran into Battery Park, where you will find the ferries that will take to Liberty & Ellis Islands.  How easy is that?  A straight shot and only a mile away!  On a beautiful spring day, the walk was peaceful.  There are a lot of photo opportunities along the way of beautiful architecture, Churches and historical cemetaries.

We had ordered room service quite a few times and always found that the service was stellar.  The food was delicious, even with the hugely inflated prices and the service was impeccable.

Due to the non-stop work on the World Trade Center site, there is a lot of construction going on.  Even on the 38th floor, you can hear the noise alot.  If this is a concern for you, do not request a "city view" room.  Your city view will consist of the World Trade Center Site construction.

 Overall, the Hilton Millennium Hotel and it's staff were top notch.  Everyone was very accomodating and cheerful. 

The question remains, will I ever stay at the Hilton Millennium Hotel again?  Absolutely, but I will not get a city view room, demand help with the thermostat and pray for a softer bed!