The party begins in New York, a New York party begins at Times Square, and a Times Square party begins at Hotel QT. Located at 125 West 45th Street, New York, New York, 10036; (212) 354-2323, it’s not really a hotel.

It’s a stylish but no-frills and budget (relatively speaking) place to hang out in Times Square. A place to be seen and a place to show what you’ve got. In short, it’s hip and cool.

Hotelier Andre Balaz has brought together the disparate requirements of stylishness and a New York clientele on a budget, and saddled the whimsical fashionistas who sign off on what’s hip, all in a perfect location in Times Square.

The main attraction, and the place where all the action is, is the pool in the lobby, adjoining the bar. A poolside DJ lets rip hip-hop records while the bar is a watering hole for a toxic and dangerous mix of Wall Street execs. in business suits and New York’s bold and beautiful showing off their wares in bikinis. Restraint and conservatism are not words which are heard, said, or shown, anywhere near the pool. Pool parties at Hotel QT are one of the happening scenes in New York City, and that’s saying a lot.

And if that’s not enough to entice you to make a booking, there’s also a suana and steam room and fitness center. The rooms at Hotel QT are what is known as ‘an affordable crash pad for the upwardly mobile’. That’s New York lingo for a place where you afford to be seen, in both the financial and the fashion senses of the word. Other words which apply might include chic, different, in and swanky.

Platform and bunk beds, mini-fridge, flat screen television, free wi-fi internet, movies on demand, complimentary breakfast of muffins, bagels, yoghurts, fruits and fresh coffee, and a bathroom that looks like it’s been put together straight out of some magazine, and it’s almost as big as the room itself.

Rooms start at $269, which is pocket change, if you do a quick comparison with other hotels in Times Square. But let’s keep this simple. New York - Times Square -Party - Hotel QT.