Large central hotel review

Row NYC

A very large, well-placed Theater District hotel that has only just returned to taking guests after several years out of the market.

Hell's Kitchen$$ price pointUpdated 17 August 2026For UK travellers
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Editorial take

Who should book Row NYC?

If this is your first New York trip, shortlist Row NYC for a practical reason: Broadway trips, groups needing many rooms, central value. 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 you want boutique character or a quiet street. 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 Row NYC?

Eighth Avenue between 44th and 45th puts the hotel on the Hell's Kitchen edge of the Theater District, a couple of minutes from the theatres and from Port Authority.

Nearby

Broadway theatres, Times Square, Port Authority Bus Terminal, Restaurant Row and Hudson Yards.

Closest subway

42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, and Times Square-42 St

Hotel facts

What to know before booking.

Address700 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10036
OpenedRenamed Row NYC in 2014; reopened to guests in May 2026
Rooms1,331 rooms across 27 storeys
Price point$$
Known forOne of the largest hotels in the city, and the building generations of Britons knew as the Milford Plaza.
Subway42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, and Times Square-42 St

First-timer context

Why Row NYC might feel special.

What it is known for

  • The building has traded under a string of names: the Lincoln Hotel, the Manhattan Hotel, the Royal Manhattan and, for decades, the Milford Plaza.
  • Rockpoint Group and Highgate bought it in 2011 and renamed it Row NYC in 2014.
  • At 1,331 rooms over 27 floors it is among the largest hotels in New York.

New York moments

  • As the Milford Plaza it was one of the best-known budget Broadway hotels of the 1980s, heavily advertised to visitors on both sides of the Atlantic.
  • From 2023 the building was used to house asylum seekers arriving in New York, and it did not take hotel guests again until May 2026.

On screen

  • The Milford Plaza's advertising is better remembered than any film appearance.

Review questions

What travellers keep asking.

Is Row NYC the old Milford Plaza?

Yes, the same building at 700 Eighth Avenue. It has also been the Lincoln, the Manhattan and the Royal Manhattan. It was renamed Row NYC in 2014.

Why are there no recent reviews?

The hotel was used to house asylum seekers from 2023 and reopened to guests only in May 2026, so there is a multi-year gap in genuine guest reviews. Judge it on the most recent ones only.

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.

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