The Vu Hotel in the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood (that’s NYC speak for Midtown West), like every hotel in New York City worth its salt, offers a sweeping view of Times Square and the Manhattan skyline, and is located within walking distance of all the major attractions and ‘visitable’ points of interest in Manhattan. The Vu is also the closest hotel to Pier 94 and the Manattan Cruise Ship Terminal, with the Javits Convention Center, Fifth Ave shopping, the Rockefeller Center and Times Square attractions a short stroll away. Its slated to open its doors to guests early summer.

The Vu is run by Kimpton Hotels (www.kimptonhotels.com). Which means that this hotel could very well end beating all the other NYC family hotels, when you factor in the KimptonKids program run by the group at all its hotels and the ‘tourist-friendly’ location of the hotel.

For the uninformed, KimptonKids sets the standard for family vacations, offering everything a family needs in a hotel, for kids of all ages, shapes and sizes, in their own words - Cribs and high chairs in rooms and restaurants and concierge services including accredited baby-sitting, 24 hour on-call pediatrician, car rentals with child friendly seats and rental of strollers. To top it off, the hotel offers special welcome gifts for all kids, and a list of kid-friendly activities and outlets near the hotel including parks and restaurants. 

And just in case you’re still not decided, the Vu is also a green hotel which relies solely on eco-friendly services and products, and is pet-friendly with special services and amenities deoted to pets. Amenities for the pets’ masters include wireless internet throughout the hotel, free coffee and tea, a luxury spa, valet and laundry services, complimentary overnight shoe shine and newspaper, valet parking and 24 hour room service.

The 222 rooms and suites at the Vu hotel each come with an expansive view of either the Manhattan skyline or the Hudson River through large windows, with wi-fi internet, flat-screen HDTV cable and over 150 channels, on-demand movies and games with Nintendo 64, an ‘essential travel kit’, iron & ironing board, hair dryer, stone tiled bathrooms and oversized showers stocked with signature bath products, in-room spa services, and some of the rooms feature a Fuji soak tub.  Room rates are expected to be pricey, starting from $425, but the hotel will be providing specials for family stays.

Dining options at the Vu include a first-floor restaurant adjacent to the hotel, which features casual dining with a regional cuisine prepared with local produce, and there’s also a 15th floor rooftop bar perefect for a warm summer night date with an unobstructed view of the City on the West and the hudson River on the East.

Info: 653 11th Avenue at 48th, New York, NY 10036; Reservations: (877) 843-8869;
Front Desk: (212) 757-0088 Web: www.vuhotel.com