Editorial take
Who should book Radio Hotel?
If this is your first New York trip, shortlist Radio Hotel for a practical reason: Value, design, The Cloisters, longer stays. The name, star rating and lobby photos matter, but the real test is whether the location helps your days feel easier.
It is less compelling if it is a short first trip built around midtown and downtown. Before booking from the UK, compare the final price after taxes and property fees, check the exact room setup and make sure your airport arrival route is not needlessly awkward.
Location and map
Where is Radio Hotel?
Amsterdam Avenue at 178th Street is in the middle of Washington Heights, a few minutes from the George Washington Bridge and about ten from Fort Tryon Park and The Cloisters.
Nearby
The Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park, the George Washington Bridge, Highbridge Park and Columbia's medical campus.
Closest subway
181 St on the A and the 1
Hotel facts
What to know before booking.
First-timer context
Why Radio Hotel might feel special.
What it is known for
- This is MVRDV's first major project in the United States, designed with Stonehill Taylor for developer Youngwoo & Associates.
- The ceramic brick facade breaks into eight boxy volumes, each in its own colour, which is why the building is visible from most of upper Manhattan.
- Workshop APD carried the idea inside, colour-matching the bathrooms to the block each room sits in.
New York moments
- Jalao NYC, a Dominican restaurant on the nineteenth floor with its own indoor-outdoor lounge, reflects the neighbourhood it sits in rather than importing a downtown concept.
On screen
- A 2022 building whose profile comes from architecture rather than film.
Review questions
What travellers keep asking.
How long does it take to reach Midtown?
Roughly 30 to 40 minutes on the A train from 181st Street, which runs express for much of the way. It is a real commitment on a short trip and barely noticeable on a longer one.
Is it worth staying this far north?
If value matters and you are staying more than a few nights, yes. You also get The Cloisters and Fort Tryon Park on your doorstep, which most visitors never reach.
Booking checklist
Check these before you reserve.
Total price
Look beyond the nightly rate. Check taxes, destination fees, breakfast and cancellation.
Room layout
For New York, room size, bathroom privacy, bed type and storage can matter more than star rating.
Arrival route
Match the hotel to your airport, luggage and arrival time, especially after an overnight UK flight.
Sources and update notes
Last updated: 17 August 2026. Hotel rates, fees, rules and transport details can change.