We stayed at the Kitano twice on a short trip to NYC (with a visit to New Jersey, DC and the Blue Ridge Mountains in between). Booked through Trailfinders, it was good value for a top class hotel in a central location. We booked an additional night after our trip outside NYC which was a lot more expensive. Service at reception was quiet and effective with one very nice, helpful doorman.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay and found that the hotel was well located for exploring Manhattan on foot or via the subway. It's only two blocks from Grand Central Station and many of the sights of central New York are within easy reach. One of the best things about the hotel was the quiet rooms we had - I'm a light sleeper who lives out in the countryside and usually don't sleep too well in city hotels. There was no air conditioning noise (the weather was cold when we were there so we didn't need aircon but I usually find that it's on anyway in hotels like this). The double glazed windows effectively cut down the traffic noise to a barely perceptible level.

The first 4 nights we were on the 8th floor, overlooking Park Avenue and we could see the top of the Chrysler Building from our room. The last night was on the 10th floor around the other side of the hotel with a fantastic view of the Empire State. We didn't eat in the hotel and enjoyed visiting the diner in Pershing Square for our breakfasts.

Clean, quiet with very nice rooms. I'd definitely stay here again when visiting NYC. The only thing I'd suggest they upgrade is to get some HD channels on the TV!

I go to NYC on business every other month. I just need a quiet, safe, clean place. I travel by myself so I need to stay in a safe neighborhood. The Kitano is probably the quietest hotel in NYC. In other hotels you often hear sirens, etc all night. Here it was silent. The hotel lobby itself is quiet. The people that work there are soft spoken.

The service was excellent, especially for NYC... no attitude at all.

The room was modern and extremely clean. Bed extra comfortable.

The downside....Pricey.

If you are going for fun, I'd stay somewhere like the W but if you need clean and quiet, try the Kitano

We picked The Kitano based on the reviews we read here and are glad we did. It is indeed a very nice hotel and in a great location. We walked everywhere except Metropolitan Museum, which by the way it is a must see museum.

The staff is very friendly. The concierge was very helpful. They recommended some great places to eat. Don’t miss Simply Pasta close to Time Square. Fantastic meal.

The only complaint is the size of the beds (they were supposed to be queen beds, but were not even full). For $500 a night, we did expect a bigger bed. But I guess this is NY.

Overall, a very nice hotel.

My wife and I stayed in a junior suite at the Kitano for three nights, and we can't recommend this hotel highly enough to travelers who value peace and quiet, and professional service. Our room, overlooking Park Avenue (with a view of the Chrysler Building) was very comfortable, with sound-proof windows that kept out the noise of the street below. The bathroom was luxurious, and the extremely comfortable bed led to a great night's sleep. We ate in the hotel restaurant, Hakubei, a traditional Japanese restaurant. The food and service were excellent. The hotel bar also features jazz shows, and we were fortunate to experience a really great one after dinner (make a reservation for both). The Kitano's location, just three blocks from Grand Central Terminal, is an excellent starting point for travelers wishing to explore the whole city. We will definitely be staying there again when we return to New York City.