WHAT'S IT LIKE? The Millennium Broadway is a sandwich of two four-star deluxe towers, one with a huge conference centre facility and a historic theatre in between. It was opened as a conference hotel in 1990 by local real estate developer Harry Macklowe, and was bought by Millennium in 1991, which built the second tower hotel, Premier, in 1996. The two are connected by a street level corridor on 44th Street, which runs across the lobby of the theatre. The historic 1903 Hudson Theatre between the towers is now used as an upmarket meeting place. At over 100 years old, it's the second oldest theatre in New York and is the only Broadway theatre that is regularly available for concerts, meetings and weddings.
WHERE IS IT? 145 West 44th Street, between 44th and 45th Street, right on Times Square.
HOW MANY ROOMS? 752, with a choice of classic, club or premier. The 125 Millennium premier rooms are in a private tower and have late check-out, daily newspaper and use of the premier lounge on the mezzanine floor for complimentary breakfast, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. The Broadway rooms (floors 16 to 52) are currently being refurbished, due for completion in October. So far, floors 46-51 have been completed.
ROOM FACILITIES: In the main Millennium Broadway tower, there are 625 classic rooms, which have good-sized beds, with merino wool blankets and goose-down pillows,
floor-to-ceiling windows, two dual phone lines, voicemail and a safe. Rooms also have individual climate control, a minibar, cable TV, modem/fax/computer ports, an iron and ironing board, toiletries, hair dryer, electric current at 120 volt and 220 volt, and high-speed internet access at $12.95 for 24 hours.
Premier tower rooms are boutique-style with European-style soaking tubs, separate walk-in showers, separate dressing/make-up areas, plus terry bathrobe, newspaper delivery each morning, 24-hour concierge and complimentary high-speed internet access.
BUSINESS CENTRE: Yes, on the second floor, although to use a computer you have to ask for a key for one of the two rooms on the fourth floor. The hotel also has one of the largest conference areas in New York at 10,200sqm across 37 rooms on six floors. There are rooms available for meetings of every size and all have multi-zone fluorescent and incandescent lighting, climate control, remote-control audiovisual equipment, display rails, pinnable wall surfaces, and ergonomically designed leather chairs. Some include audiovisual booths and TV monitors. State-of-the-art PictureTel facility and fibre-optic to satellite connections are also available for videoconferencing around the world. Also available are 1,670sqm of conference dining space and 1,021sqm of exhibition space.
FITNESS CENTRE: The gym is on the 16th floor and is a good size.
RESTAURANT AND BAR: Restaurant Charlotte just off the lobby opens 6.30am to 11pm and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as pre- and post-theatre meals. It's rarely busy and is a good place for evening meetings with colleagues. The menu is short but well chosen.
VERDICT: A perfect location and good upgraded rooms make this a wise choice for Times Square.
PRICE: From £134 for a classic room.
CONTACT: Millennium Broadway Hotel New York, 145 West 44th Street, New York, tel 1 212 768 4400,www.millenniumhotels.com.
Tom Otley
