Spacious, Elegant Rooms and Suites in Ideal Manhattan Location
Hotel Beacon: an oasis of calm and comfort in the heart of bustling, exciting New York City. Ideally located in Manhattan’s prestigious Upper West Side neighbourhood with its tree-lined streets and landmark buildings, the independently owned Hotel Beacon offers more than 260 elegantly decorated guestrooms and suites along with stunning views of Central Park, the Hudson River and Midtown. And, in this city well known for cramped hotel rooms, Hotel Beacon stands out for its exceptionally spacious rooms and suites which truly make guests feel at home.
Each of Hotel Beacon’s rooms and suites features a marble bathroom and a fully-equipped kitchenette complete with a microwave, a coffeemaker, and complementary coffee and tea. Other amenities include a 32-inch flat-screen TV, in-room movies, an iPod docking station and clock radio, free wireless Internet connections, and luxurious Gilchrist & Soames bath products. Each suite has a separate living room with a sofa bed. The hotel also offers a well equipped fitness centre as well as the elegant Beacon Bar serving fine wines, cocktails and more. Hotel Beacon even has its own state-of-the-art meeting rooms which can accommodate events for 10 up to 150 guests.
For both seasoned New York City visitors and those travelling to Manhattan for the first time, Hotel Beacon’s location cannot be equalled. The hotel is near such iconic venues as Lincoln Centre, the American Museum of Natural History, the Rose Centre for Earth and Space, Central Park, the theatre district and Midtown Manhattan’s most famous department stores and boutiques. Nearby Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues are known for their trendy restaurants and outdoor cafes. Every guestroom and suite in Hotel Beacon has an unforgettable view, whether it is of the Hudson River and Broadway to the west, Central Park to the east, or the lights of Midtown to the south.
Native New Yorker Tom Travers has been Hotel Beacon’s General Manager since 1990 and oversaw its transformation from a residential property into an international-standard luxury hotel. With a long career in the hotel industry, he is the former president and current Finance Director of the HSMAI Greater New York chapter and is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Hospitality Department at New York City Technical College. He discusses Hotel Beacon’s unique charm.
European Times: What makes Hotel Beacon special?
Tom Travers: When I started out as General Manager, Hotel Beacon was an apartment hotel but not many people visiting New York wanted to stay in the Upper West Side. They preferred Midtown. I saw the hotel’s tremendous potential thanks to its quieter yet still central location and its large rooms with kitchenettes, which were perfect for foreign travellers staying in New York for longer periods. Both business and leisure travellers who stay here soon discover that the hotel offers fantastic views and a great New York City experience. We started out as a two-star hotel but we have made major investments in upgrading the hotel to a high standard. Hotel Beacon also offers true value for money, making us very attractive to corporate guests.
European Times: What makes the Upper West Side a desirable place to stay?
Tom Travers: The Upper West Side is a prime residential area only three blocks from Central Park. It is a relief being here compared to the craziness and busy atmosphere of Midtown, yet Times Square is only 10 minutes from the hotel. You can walk around freely in this beautiful, relaxing neighbourhood, which has a true multicultural atmosphere. It is not pretentious; you can be who you want to be without being judged. The Upper West Side has a tremendous selection of restaurants, and Beacon Theatre next to the hotel, with the same owners, is one of New York’s leading live-music and entertainment venues, hosting over 200 headliner shows per year.
European Times: How has the hotel changed since you became General Manager?
Tom Travers: Anyone who saw the property 25 years ago would not recognise it today. Thanks to passion and a dedicated staff, we have created something really special in this hotel. As a General Manager, my job is to make the hotel profitable, but at the same time work on its brand value. I am very proud to say that nowadays Beacon Hotel is known worldwide for its excellent service and hospitality. It is officially a three-star hotel, but with four-star services.
European Times: What is your personal message to international travellers?
Tom Travers: Here at Beacon Hotel, we welcome you to New York City, the best city in the world. The best thing about New York, compared to London, Paris or any other international capital, is that when you visit this city, you feel part of it, which makes it truly unique. And of course if you are coming to New York City, you should stay at Hotel Beacon!
Hotel Beacon NYC
2130 Broadway at 75th Street
New York, NY 10023
Tel.: +1 212 787 1100
Reservations: +1 800 572 4969
