Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square

Review of Riu Plaza New York Times Square Our family of 9 stayed at the Riu Plaza New York Times Square for 6 nights, and unfortunately our experience was very mixed. The hotel itself is lovely, modern, clean, and in a fantastic location, with easy access to Times Square and many of New York's main attractions. The rooms were comfortable, and the overall appearance of the hotel was exactly what we expected. However, the biggest disappointment was the staff, who consistently came across as rude and unhelpful throughout our stay. One particular incident in the bar completely ruined our experience. There were 6 of us sitting around a table when a member of staff approached and told us that only 4 people were allowed at the table and that we would have to move. Considering we were a large family staying at the hotel, this seemed unreasonable. When I asked to speak to a manager, five members of staff turned up, which felt extremely intimidating and unnecessary. We had spent over $300 in the bar that evening, yet we were treated like an inconvenience rather than valued guests. Following this incident, none of us returned to the bar for the remainder of our stay. Breakfast each morning was another major negative. The dining area felt more like a cattle market than a relaxing hotel breakfast experience. It was overcrowded, chaotic, and often felt like a free-for-all. While the food selection was decent, the atmosphere was stressful, and once again the staff were not particularly friendly or helpful. The lifts were also a significant issue, especially in the mornings. With so many guests heading to breakfast at the same time, the queues were ridiculous and it could take a long time just to get downstairs. Overall, while the hotel benefits from a great location and attractive facilities, the poor customer service seriously let it down. Good staff can make an average hotel memorable, but rude and unhelpful staff can quickly ruin what should have been an enjoyable stay. Would I stay here again? No. Would I recommend it? Unfortunately not. Despite the hotel's excellent location and modern facilities, the disappointing service, unfriendly staff, chaotic breakfast experience, and lift issues mean I would look elsewhere for accommodation on a future visit to New York. Rating: 2/5 ⭐⭐☆☆☆

Great hotel. Offering a huge self service breakfast. Right in the heart of mid town Manhattan you couldn’t be based in a better location. Rooms and clean and super comfortable beds. Greta place to stay whilst visiting NYC