The Kimpton Muse Hotel: Boutique Lodging Near Times Square, NY

The location is tops

Getting to the Kimpton Muse Hotel is easy by subway, taxi, or ride-sharing service. Guests will love the location on 46th street, a comfortable distance from Broadway that tends to be a bit quieter than on-Broadway hotels. This AAA, Four Diamond Award hotel has 181 rooms and 19 suites for travelers. Choose from over ten room and suite types to suit your desires.

Entry level choices include the deluxe or standard rooms that start around 250 USD per night plus taxes and fees. You will be charged an amenities fee of 30 USD that includes fitness room access, Wi-Fi, free local and long-distance calls, and 10 USD credit for food/beverage at the Muse Bar or in-room minibar. Each room includes upscale toiletries, bathrobes, Bluetooth speaker, retro alarm clock, mini-bar, desk, laptop safe, fridge, and more. Another nice room amenity is that some of the light fixtures in the room are rheostat-controlled for gentle lighting.

The clean look of white marble

Bathrooms have marble flooring and marble tiles in the showers. The shower has both a wand and rain delivery system for efficient showering. The hot water in the shower has an anti-scalding button that must be depressed to get very hot water. I liked how fast the hot water arrived and that it didn’t run out.

Bump up your room to an executive king suite for around 350 USD and enjoy a separate sitting room with sofa, coffee table, and reading chair. This spacious room provides 400-415 sq ft/37.16-38.55 m2 of living space. A spa suite offers a similar amount of space but adds a large vintage soaking tub for you bathing pleasure.

Accessible rooms, balcony suites, and king premier balcony suites round out the room offerings. All rooms come with Atelier Bloem bath products, Frette linens, and two types of pillows (feather or fiberfill) for picky pillow folks like the author. One of the best parts of staying at the Muse Hotel is how quiet it is thanks to the off-Broadway location. It’s wonderful to be so close to Broadway, Times Square, and the Theater District yet have a peaceful night’s rest. Like all Kimpton hotels, pets are welcome at no charge. Just be advised that walking a dog in this part of New York City can be uncomfortable to those guests and their dogs not used to big city life.

Common spaces

The main-floor lobby is good for a short meeting with friends or business acquaintances and to get your complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate each morning. The basement level is secluded and quiet for an additional gathering place. That is, unless it’s the evening wine hour that takes place from 5-6 p.m. each night when complimentary wines are served to hotel guests.

The Muse Bar serves a two-tiered buffet breakfast seven days per week and a light dinner menu as well. The price for the cold-side buffet is 17 USD, or you pay an additional 8 USD and get hot items like eggs, meats, breakfast potatoes, and something off the griddle. Some Saturday nights feature live jazz music in the Muse Bar. Grab a glass of wine, beer, or creative cocktail and enjoy these creature comforts.

The fitness room is larger than most hotels of this size. Ride the Peloton exercise bike, lift weights, take a jog on the treadmills, or get a full workout on the elliptical trainers. All exercise machines have LCD TV screens for your viewing pleasure. With room to move, you can practice yoga, conduct thorough stretching, or roll around on a balance ball in this spacious fitness center.

What's in the area

Probably the best reason to stay at the Muse Hotel is to be close to New York City’s best attractions and restaurants. Times Square is a two minute walk away and many of the theaters are just five minutes from the hotel’s front door. The Jacob Javits Convention Center is easily reached by taking the number 7 subway and is only one stop away from the Times Square Station.

Also off of the number 7 line is the exciting Hudson Yards development with over a dozen great eateries like José Andrés’ Little Spain Mercado, a Spanish-themed food hall. From Hudson Yards take a walk on the Highline, an urban park built on the remains of an old railway bridge.

Either the number 7 or the S subway lines take you to Grand Central Terminal with several restaurants and shops on hand. Buy a MetroCard at the nearby Times Square Station and ride the subways like a local for around 2.50 USD each way. These convenient Metroards can be swiped for each member in your group if needed but are best for small families or couples traveling together.

Popular restaurants near The Muse Hotel are Junior’s for big breakfasts, desserts, and diner-type fare. Try Osteria al Doge at 144 W. 44th Street for excellent Italian cuisine at a reasonable price. My wife and I had two entrees, a starter, three glasses of wine, their delicious bread basket, and olives for just 125 USD not including tip.