Riverside Tower Hotel

This is a fantastic hotel. The price is right, the location is superb and the staff are friendly. I have just returned from a 6 night stay at the Riverside Tower Hotel, and couldn’t have been happier with my stay. The surrounding neighbourhood boasts vibrant bars, shops café’s and restaurants. There is a McDonalds a couple of blocks over, and plenty of places to eat, drink and watch sport on TV if that’s your thing.\r As for the hotel, it’s basic, but it does a good job when it comes to comfort. The price is very modest for New York rates, and you get what you pay for. Simple rooms with simple décor and furniture. I visited NYC with my brother, and we opted for the suite. This consisted of 2 rooms, both doubles. The layout is odd, but nice as the 2 rooms are separated in the middle by the bathroom. The bathrooms consists of a decent shower with good water pressure and constant hot water, and a toilet. There are sinks in both rooms, with plenty of soap and towels provided which were changed each day, along with all bedding.\r One room consists of a double bed, and the other one has a single which converts in to a double when expanded via a slide out bed which is tucked underneath. There is a TV in each room, and an air con unit which has both hot and cold settings which worked just fine. In one room there is also a refrigerator and microwave and a table and chairs for eating on.\r The hotel casts great views over the Hudson river if high enough, so when booking I would certainly make a request to be in a high room looking over the Hudson as you can see New Jersey from here, and there are some lovely sunsets if you are lucky enough to get good weather.\r We had a fantastic time in New York as always, and this hotel certainly enhanced the trip. If you are looking for luxury, then this hotel is not for you. If you are looking for a basic, affordable hotel in a safe neighbourhood, then I would certainly recommend staying here. If you are not happy with the hotel when you arrive, a full refund will be provided within 28mins of payment, so you can try your luck elsewhere. We did not feel the need to do this and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Thank you Riverside Tower. We will see you again soon! more

Having visited NYC for the first time in 1974 and a bunch of other times thru the years I guess I pretty much know the ""hotel scene "" in NYC. In one sentence till I win the lotto I will stay over and over again at Riverside. The staff was very nice and helpful. Even suggested a better way of transportation back to the airport. Yes I know is not the Plaza but there is a difference between price and value and I truly believe that that this hotel has the best value of all the hotels in NYC. I once paid 200$ a night in 1981 in a hotel worse than this one had to drag the bed against the door so I could sleep with some sense of security. This trip in the last week of sept 2011 the price was great and the 2 bedroom suite served its purpose and was affordable. So till I win the lotto I will stay here and when I win the lotto will purchase an apartment in the neighborhood cause is truly a great area . It is convenient to everything and Zabar is absolutely delicious . Right now I'm planing my next trip in the spring and no doubt I will stay there again and to the staff thanks for a great stay more

If you are traveling to NYC on a budget, this hotel is for you. My friend and I stayed here last week and it was great. We got a suite which was 2 bedrooms separated by a bath/shower. Each of our rooms had a vanity so we could get ready at the same time. It was small but clean. Quite frankly we didn't need any more room. Each room had a spacious closet with hangers as well as a bureau. There was also a microwave and refrigerator. It had industrial paint and carpet but who cares? It is bare-bones but you cannot beat the price, the cleanliness, or the location. It is in a safe neighborhood in the Upper West Side. You can walk everywhere - to restaurants, Riverside Park, the subway, Central Park, etc. Just know when you go that because it is a budget hotel, you will need to bring your own toiletries and hair dryer. My only complaint is that the rooms do not have a deadbolt - but even with that being said I at no time felt unsafe. The staff were warm and friendly.\r I will definitely stay here again and I have been recommending it to everyone I know! more

This is an old college dorm with tiny elevators. We booked a ""suite"" which turned out to be two dorm rooms connected with a Jack and Jill bath. Each room had a twin bed with a trundle bed underneath. There was a microwave and fridge. The rooms looked like they had been painted every year during their service as a dormitory and probably again recently. As we were checking out, we cornered a housekeeper and quizzed her. We learned there are rooms with bigger beds, we just didn't ask right when we were booking.\r \r My wife had a grand time texting photos of the rooms to her friends to humiliate me, but after she checked the prices of some very nice looking hotels nearby, she shut up pretty quickly. We both think of hotels as places to sleep and not as destinations.\r \r We stayed a few nights before leaving on an overseas trip. We used our time in New York to see some art. Museum Mile is an easy half hour walk straight across Central Park, which was beautiful and clean and felt safe. Even the homeless guys shaving and bathing in the public restrooms in the park were friendly. There is a subway stop just 2 or 3 blocks from the hotel and the neighborhood of the hotel feels safe and is great for shopping and dining.\r \r We will definitely stay again if we go back to New York, despite my wife's teasing about the room. We didn't meet the feisty manager who posts on Tripadvisor from time to time, but I think we would like her. Staff were helpful and courteous at the time of booking, with questions after booking and during our stay. There is a luggage room if you need to stash your bags before or after your stay.\r \r The lobby was often populated with European hostel types, including some school groups, but everyone was friendly. more

I have stayed in the Riverside Tower on eight different occasions with my wife and we love it. The rooms are small but clean and warm in winter. The shower is always warm and powerful, the staff are friendly and helpful. With your own bathroom, fridge, microwave and TV where else in New York would you get such value in a quite but perfect location. more

I have stayed at this hotel several times and keep coming back. Love the neighborhood love the staff and keep returning. I want a place to sleep and be comfortable when I come to NYC. I am out and about in the city. If I wanted ""luxury "" I would stay home. THe price is right - convenient and kindness is the best part. Will be back more

Three of us stayed in a suite which is two small rooms connected by a toilet and shower. Each room has a sink and closet. One room has a double bed and one room has a table & chairs, trundle bed, microwave and refrigerator. The rooms are small but clean. We heard no noise from others on our floor. We had a great view over the River and New Jersey. \r Museums within easy walking distance. I walked to Times Square in 35 minutes. Very good price for three adults. Hotel in NJ about the same price but we were in Manhattan!. Parking on the street is almost impossible. There is a parking lot very close for extra money. more

We stayed at the Riverside Tower Hotel for 12 nights. Our first impressions was - oh crap, what did we get ourselves into???? \r I AM NOW QUOTING ANOTHER REVIEW. The building dates from the 1920's when it was constructed as a Columbia University dorm and thankfully has never been redesigned though it has been updated in essentials like windows, showers and elevator. The fact that it's old, the paint is thick, the pipes and radiators are visible, and the rooms are minimal size makes it not only an authentic New York antique, but serves as a model of modest sustainable habitability, in which every square inch of space is functional. \r \r Yes our room was tiny, we shared our bathroom with the couple we came with, and they had the fridge. Our rooms were very clean, lots of hot water and shower has lots of room, and towels changed daily, sheets changed every 3 days. \r \r TV had 4 channels - but they are New York channels which was really great. This started to ""put things together for us who have never been to New York before"" For example: the Macy's Parade, the blowing up of the balloons, the lighting of Xmas tree at Rockefeller Centre - We went to Macy's prade, saw the tree in Rockefeller Centre etc. wifi only on 1st floor which was ok, and no problems signing on to. \r \r Over 12 days ALL the staff were great. They helped us out - with each and every request we had. \r Location is excellent. We came back to hotel at ALL hours - and felt very safe. Yes, staying at the Riverside Tower Hotel was a GREAT experience. Thanks to ALL the staff. more

Came to New York on the cheap the hotel was fine, 5mins walk from subway & 10mins from Central Park. Wifi in reception. Very basic but who spends their holiday in New York in hotel?? more

I never bother reviewing, but I'll do a quick one here. Stayed at Riverside Tower for a few days since my son a 2 back-to-back med school interviews in town, so just needed a home base. This place was perfect. OK, the rooms are small and a bit run down, but so what? - the beds and bathroom were very clean. (if it's not your style, you can always spend 3 times as much per night and stay at the Lucerne, but I kind of like the funky personality of this place) For the ridiculously low price they charge for a suite, we had 2 rooms and a bathroom, a beautiful view of the Hudson (not a brick wall like you often get in midtown), Riverside Park and the safe and walkable upper West End right outside our door, a gazillion restaurants 3 blocks up on Amsterdam Ave. Folks were nice, too. Like it says in the title, ""Why stay anywhere else in NYC?"" - I know we won't bother with any other hotel from here on out. Riverside Tower Hotel is, without a doubt, the best deal in town. more

Hotels in NYC are very expensive. This hotel is in a nice location and theres a subway nearby. The rooms were bigger than I expected, we had a suite.\r If I cam back to new York I may return to this hotel- to save some pennies. more

The location is good, close to the river and not so much noise. Staff is friendly and helpful. But the rooms are too small and it feels crowded it is possible to hear what people talk in the adjoining rooms. more

Great location within walking distance to everything you would need! We had a pretty small room, which was expected, but very clean and well maintained. We were expecting to be disappointed because of previous reviews and photos but they must have updated the rooms/amenities because we were pleasantly surprised! The only downside was the somewhat rickety elevator that was very slow but apart from that everything was great! Friendly, helpful staff and great value!\r more

I come to New York often. It is an expensive city. Gone are the days where I want to call room service and be pampered while in bed, while there are so many nice restaurants in the area, spas, coffee shops, clothing stores along Broadway nearby. The location is amazing with lots of history along Riverside Road, beautiful monuments. There is a cafe coming downstairs, you can get some really nice treats and coffee. I met the new owner of the cafe very nice lady. I endorse this hotel completely. For a sensible person who understands the value of today's dollar this place is great. I was not noisy when I was there, but for $1.99 you can buy earplugs and you would need them at Trump, Hilton or Plaza just the same. Riverside area is quiet with not so much traffic and lights coming into your room. more

Location was good, connectivity to downtown was easy no facility like water, wifi, room space. Lots of eateries around this hotel. Direct view of jersey city from window. more

This is a BUDGET hotel. People expecting luxury look elsewhere. The staff were all so friendly (this coming from a southerner). Our rooms were clean but very small with a great view of the Hudson. A bus stop right across the street that stops right at the Empire St. One block to famed Zabars. Riverside Park across the street is lovely. We really only slept in the hotel so it was perfect. I'm currently trying to book this hotel for another family vacation but it seems to stay full. more

We've stayed in this fine hotel a dozen times and always enjoyed it. Great location in a quiet neighborhood, close to public transportation and to Central Park. The rooms are small but we never come here to dance in them; 4 people can be accomodated in the suites. The shower is hot and tempts us to stay in them forever after a long run (we come here for the NY Marathon). The staff is friendly and most helpful, the price is right and permits us to stay an extra few days. Deo volente we'll be back many times. more

We just got back to Ohio after a wonderful 5 day vacation. I have never been to New York City but my wife had been about 7 years ago with her mom and sisters and has always wanted to go back. This year we finally made it. She left the plans up to me and after doing some research, I discovered this great place to stay. In a great neighborhood in the Upper West Side, was this older hotel, located just two blocks off Broadway. Since we didn't plan to stay much in our room, we just wanted a clean, conveniant place to sleep after a long day of doing the tourist thing. We were not disapointed at all. The Riverside Tower was clean, provided great service and all of the staff was very friendly. We had a terrific view and a very comfortable bed. Nothing fancy but a great price and close to places to catch the subway or bus, shop and eat (try Big Nicks). We plan to come back next year and would have no hesitation in coming back here again. more

This was our third time staying at Riverside Tower. The suite was clean - new carpets, paint etc. Still a great price for NYC and such a great location. Bed a bit small for two and it is against the wall but there is a bed in the second room. Decent frig and microwave. more

We stayed here with our young son a few months ago and will be back again next month. The rooms are clean, the shower has plenty of hot water, clean towels and a fridge and microwave. Oh, and the view is fantastic! I requested a pack more