Over the last two years, the Sofitel New York has been gradually upgraded, renovated and refurbished. This is my first visit since the completion of the work.

Location

The Sofitel New York is located in uptown Manhattan on 45th Street between Fifth Avenue and the Avenue of the Americas. Turning left as I exit the building, I can see the iconic Metlife building in front of me. If I squint my eyes, I can pretend, just for a moment, that it’s still the Pan Am building… The hotel’s location is great. It’s in easy walking distance to Central Park, the Rockefeller Centre, Broadway, and Times Square.

Check-In

By the time I reach the hotel coming from Newark airport, it’s just coming up to 15h in the afternoon. The ante-lobby still looks the same. However, the lobby proper, deeper inside the building, has new furniture and a new ceiling decoration, which, combined, are a big improvement because they make the windowless room seem less gloomy.

The young lady at check-in welcomes me to the hotel. She tells me I’ve been upgraded to a Signature room and confirms that the reservation is for nine nights.

The Service & Staff

Some of the staff I recognise from my last visit. They are friendly and chatty in that typical way North Americans usually are. Their customer orientation is impressive, I think. One morning, on my way to breakfast, I inquire about an ironing board and iron to go over a pair of dress pants. By the time I return from breakfast a while later, both have been delivered with a note to call housekeeping when I’m done.

Signature Skyline Room with King Bed

My room is situated on the 23rd floor. It’s a nice, spacious room and it looks like they’ve literally changed everything in the room except for the bathroom. The room still retains a subtle hint of that new furniture smell.

The bed is a spacious King with a nice, firm mattress, comfortable pillows and an exceptionally soft and light duvet that is just so inviting.

Up by the window is a comfortable chaise longue facing north and looking out towards the skyscrapers. The desk is a good size to work on. To the right is a large, empty lacquer tray. This is where a coffee machine would normally be. When I inquire at reception, they tell me that tea and coffee making facilities are only available on request. They confirm that I would like both, and a short while later there’s a knock at the door from housekeeping.

The bathroom is probably the only part of my room that hasn’t changed all that much. It’s a big room that features a separate bath and shower. The shower scores well on the Knight of Malta scale. The fittings all look new, water pressure and temperature are good, and the rubber around the frame has been replaced to ensure that the door closes firmly to ensure that there is no spillage at all.

Amenities

The amenities provided by the hotel are great. First, there’s the floofy bathrobes and slippers. I mean, those slippers? They’re gorgeous and so comfortable on the feet.

For tea and coffee making, housekeeping brings me a Nespresso machine with a good selection of different capsules, and a water kettle. Initially, they bring be a few throwaway cups, which they later replace with proper cups.

The welcome gift is quite substantial. It features a plate of dried fruit, a plate of macarons, a small bar of milk chocolate, two bottles of still and sparkling Evian, and two refill bottles for use at the hydration stations on each floor.

In addition, there’s also a nightly turndown service, during which more dark chocolate is placed on my bedside table.

Dining

The hotel has one bistro style dining restaurant at ground floor, which was previously called Gaby’s and has now been renamed Social 45, a reference to the hotel’s location on 45th Street. The layout of the restaurant hasn’t changed much, but the furniture has definitely been upgraded.

Social 45 offers an à la carte breakfast. On my first day, the waiter tells me that my Diamond status basically means I can try one of everything on the house. It’s an extensive menu they have, that includes a very tasty, rather spicy shakshouka. Whatever hot dish you order, the staff will also bring a breadbasket with croissants, pain au chocolat, and baguettes. And they do a really good cappuccino!

Conclusion

This was another pleasant stay at the Sofitel New York. I think they’ve done a remarkable job of updating and modernizing the hotel, but without changing it’s character. This is definitely still a very nice, comfortable hotel in an excellent location from which to explore the grand city of New York. Apart from the refurbished rooms, the staff at the Sofitel are great and offer a good, friendly service.