EVEN Hotel New York – Times Square South by IHG

You know what struck me first about EVEN Hotel New York – Times Square South by IHG? It doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard to be trendy, which honestly is refreshing in this part of Manhattan. I mean, you’re right in Hell’s Kitchen on 35th Street, so you’d expect some over-the-top wellness gimmick, but this four-star place actually nails the fitness-focused concept without making non-gym people feel awkward about it.

The location is pretty smart when you think about it – you’re close enough to Times Square that you can walk there in maybe ten minutes, but far enough west that you’re not dealing with the complete chaos every time you step outside. I actually prefer this stretch because you’ve got real neighborhood spots mixed in with the tourist stuff. The Javits Center is literally a few blocks away if you’re here on business, and Penn Station is walkable when you’re hauling luggage (though let’s be honest, nobody really wants to walk to Penn Station with bags). What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night compared to staying right in the thick of Times Square – the rooms face different directions, but even the street-facing ones aren’t dealing with that constant honking and yelling.

The fitness thing isn’t just marketing fluff either. They’ve got eucalyptus towels in the gym that smell incredible, and the equipment is actually maintained well – I’ve stayed at places where the treadmills sound like they’re about to explode. The rooms have yoga mats and resistance bands if you want to work out without going downstairs, which came in handy during a particularly brutal January visit when I didn’t want to leave the building. The shower pressure is solid too, and they use these mint-scented bath products that wake you up better than coffee. Speaking of coffee, the lobby area has this relaxed vibe where you can actually sit and work without feeling like you’re in the way – there’s usually a mix of business travelers and families, but it doesn’t feel chaotic.

I’ll be straight with you though – if you’re expecting old-school New York charm or historic character, this isn’t that hotel. It’s modern and clean and efficient, which is exactly what some trips call for. The staff knows their stuff about the neighborhood too, which matters more than you’d think. They steered me toward this little Thai place on 9th Avenue that I never would have found otherwise. Parking is expensive (this is Manhattan, so no surprises there), but the subway access is solid – you’ve got multiple lines within a few blocks depending on where you need to go. Overall, it’s one of those places that just works well, especially if you want to stay active while you’re traveling or you’re here for something at Javits and want to be able to walk back to your room instead of dealing with cabs.

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