Editorial take
Who should book The New Yorker Hotel?
If this is your first New York trip, shortlist The New Yorker Hotel for a practical reason: Value, Penn Station departures, Art Deco and Tesla interest. 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 a quiet or picturesque street, or a boutique feel. 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 The New Yorker Hotel?
The hotel faces Penn Station on Eighth Avenue at 34th Street. That is excellent for trains and for onward trips to Washington or Boston, but it is a workaday stretch rather than a scenic one.
Nearby
Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, Macy's Herald Square, the Empire State Building and Times Square.
Closest subway
34 St-Penn Station
Hotel facts
What to know before booking.
First-timer context
Why The New Yorker Hotel might feel special.
What it is known for
- Nikola Tesla lived in room 3327 for the last years of his life and died there in 1943, giving press interviews at the hotel on his birthday each year.
- It opened on 2 January 1930 with 2,503 rooms, designed by Sugarman & Berger, and was one of the largest hotels in the city.
- The Unification Church bought the building in 1976 for $5.6 million and it did not reopen as a commercial hotel until 1 June 1994.
New York moments
- Past guests include Spencer Tracy, Joan Crawford, Mickey Rooney, Fidel Castro and John F. Kennedy during his time in the Senate.
- The hotel housed the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1941 World Series and served as headquarters of baseball's National League in its early years.
- Muhammad Ali recuperated at the hotel after his March 1971 fight against Joe Frazier.
On screen
- The building's fame rests on Tesla and its Art Deco scale rather than on film work.
Review questions
What travellers keep asking.
Did Nikola Tesla really die at the New Yorker Hotel?
Yes. He lived in room 3327 during his final years and died at the hotel in 1943. It remains the building's best-known story and draws visitors in its own right.
Is opposite Penn Station a good place to stay?
It is convenient if you are taking trains or want lower rates in Midtown. The immediate streets are busy and functional, so travellers who want atmosphere should compare Bryant Park or NoMad.
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.