Lodging

The Radisson Martinique on Broadway in NYC.

Location, location… and not much else.

In early June I needed to book a last-minute hotel in Manhattan, so I turned to my stand-by for such things, Travelocity. High on the list of low rates was the Radisson Martinique on 32nd St. right in the thick of things near (but not on) Times Square.

I booked a “Classic Guest Room” for under $200 and hoped for the best. The best is not what I got. While the exterior was beautiful, the lobby had a decidedly ‘80s feel, and my room itself was possibly the smallest I’ve had short of a European uber-budget hotel. In fact, there was an uber-budget Euro-vibe throughout, in terms of an indifferent staff and the lack of luxury.

My mini-bar fridge was empty with a big sign that they were in the process of eliminating that feature, leaving the impression that I was actually sold a room in the process of renovation.

I realize these are the type of slim-pickings that get released to the discount websites. If I had booked weeks in advance and was still given this kind of leftover, I’d be upset. There was a queen sized bed, but if I had a companion with me, there would have scarcely been room enough for two people’s luggage.

The dated lobby of the Radisson Martinique on Broadway.

My biggest gripe though, which was a major inconvenience, was that my magnetic key card failed not once, not twice, but three times! Each time I was forced to return to the desk (once with all of my luggage), and wait in line for a replacement. When I asked why it kept happening, I was told, “anything can cause it- coins, keys, a wallet…” and given an unhelpful shrug. (Later I would read endless horror stories about the front desk and check-in staff, making my experience seem minor in comparison.)

One thing it does have going for it is the location. There’s a subway station half a block away, taxis were plentiful, and you are less than two blocks from both the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden/ Penn Station. If literally all you are looking for is a bed near the heart of the theater district, you might be fine with it.

Radisson Martinique on Broadway
49 West 32nd Street, NY, NY 10001
800-395-7046

Photos courtesy of Radisson Hotels.