Staypineapple, An Artful Hotel, Midtown New York

Staypineapple, An Artful Hotel, Midtown New York Overview

You know what caught me off guard about Staypineapple? Walking into the lobby, I expected another generic Midtown hotel trying too hard to be quirky – but this place actually pulls off the artsy thing without feeling forced. The pineapple theme could’ve been cheesy (and honestly, I was bracing myself), but they’ve woven it throughout in this subtle, almost sophisticated way that somehow works. Plus, being right on 36th between 8th and 9th puts you in the real Hell’s Kitchen, not the sanitized tourist version – you’re literally a block from where locals grab their morning coffee at those no-name delis that somehow make the best bacon egg and cheese in the city.

The rooms feel bigger than most Manhattan hotels in this price range, which is saying something since we’re talking about a city where paying $400 a night gets you a closet with a bed. What I really appreciated were the little details that show someone thought about how people actually travel – like, the outlets are positioned where you’d actually want to plug in your phone, not hidden behind furniture like some cruel joke. The neighborhood gets a bit of foot traffic since you’re close to the Port Authority area, but it’s not the sketchy chaos it used to be, especially during the day. I mean, you’ll hear some street noise because it’s, well, New York, but nothing that kept me awake. The front desk staff seemed to genuinely know the area too – when I asked about getting to Brooklyn for dinner, the guy didn’t just hand me a subway map but actually explained which train would be faster at that time of day.

Here’s the thing about staying in Hell’s Kitchen versus closer to Times Square or Central Park – you’re still walking distance to all that stuff (seriously, Times Square is like a 10-minute walk), but you get to experience a slice of neighborhood life that feels more authentic. There’s this great little wine bar called Ardesia just a few blocks down 52nd that you’d never find unless you were staying in the area, and the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market on weekends is worth checking out if you’re into that sort of thing. The hotel’s 8.6 rating makes sense to me – it’s not trying to be the Plaza or the Standard, but it delivers on what it promises without any nasty surprises. Check-in was smooth, the room was clean and thoughtfully designed, and I never felt like I was being nickel-and-dimed for basic stuff. If you’re looking for a place that feels more like staying in someone’s well-designed apartment than a corporate hotel box, and you don’t mind being slightly off the main tourist drag, this spot hits that sweet spot between character and comfort.

Staypineapple, An Artful Hotel, Midtown New York Accommodations

Reviews of Staypineapple, An Artful Hotel, Midtown New York

• Meilin from Hong Kong (9/10)

  Location was convenient and walkable distance to Time Square. It was very clean, modern, small but has everything you need.

• Donna from United States (9/10)

  Hotel was clean. Personnel friendly.

• Brendan from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Comfortable bed and clean

• Joanne from Canada (9/10)

  Beds very comfortable and rooms very clean. Location of hotel excellent.

• San from United States (9/10)

  It was a good location with a lot of options for food/grocery nearby. I liked the hotel had a theme, it made the stay feel unique. The bed was comfortable. I also liked the complimentary beverage/snack – that was very nice. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The complimentary water bottle and water refill station were appreciated. The pros outweigh the cons. I had a good stay and it was walkable from Penn Station. It is great for a short-term stay.

• Sherlin from Hong Kong (9/10)

  Great location and the size of the room was pleasantly larger than most hotel rooms that we've had in Midtown, New York.

• Debbie from United Kingdom (9/10)

  It was very clean and the decor was fabulous. The rooms are small but well appointed. The toiletries are good quality.

• Donna from Canada (8/10)

  Just cookies.

• Shawn from Canada (9/10)

  Great location and the bed is incredibly comfortable

• Edna from United States (9/10)

  Staffs were friendly, helpful and responsive

Surroundings

Facilities