Hotel Lucerne

Hotel Lucerne Overview

You know what struck me first about Hotel Lucerne? It’s actually in this gorgeous old building that feels like it belongs in the neighborhood – not one of those glass towers that screams “tourist trap.” Walking up to 201 West 79th, you’re right in the heart of the Upper West Side where real New Yorkers live, and I mean that in the best way possible. The hotel sits pretty much equidistant between Central Park and the Hudson River, so you’ve got options for your morning jog (though honestly, I always ended up in the park because… well, it’s Central Park). The 79th Street subway stop is literally around the corner – the 1 train will get you anywhere you need to go, and during rush hour you’ll see more locals than tourists, which somehow made me feel like I wasn’t just another visitor gawking at the city.

The rooms themselves have this comfortable, lived-in elegance that I wasn’t expecting from a 4-star place. They’ve managed to keep some of the building’s original character – high ceilings, decent-sized windows that actually open (rare in NYC hotels, trust me) – while updating everything that matters. The beds are properly comfortable, not just hotel-marketing comfortable, and the bathrooms have good water pressure, which… if you’ve stayed in older New York buildings, you know that’s not a given. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night. Sure, you’re in Manhattan so there’s always some ambient city noise, but 79th Street isn’t like staying near Times Square where garbage trucks seem to have conventions at 3 AM. The staff genuinely seems to know the neighborhood too – they pointed me toward this little coffee place on Amsterdam Avenue that I never would have found otherwise, and it became my daily ritual.

Honestly, the whole experience felt less like staying at a hotel and more like crashing at a well-connected friend’s place. The lobby has this relaxed vibe where you can actually sit and read without feeling like you’re in the way, and I saw plenty of guests who were clearly repeat visitors chatting with the front desk staff like old friends. The location really is the star here though – you’re walking distance to the Natural History Museum (great for a rainy afternoon), Lincoln Center if you’re into that scene, and Zabar’s for the best bagels and lox situation on the Upper West Side. Plus, you know how some hotels feel isolated from the actual city? This place puts you right in a real neighborhood where you’ll find yourself grocery shopping next to someone walking their dog to Riverside Park. It’s that authentic New York experience that’s getting harder to find, especially at this price point.

Hotel Lucerne Accommodations

Reviews of Hotel Lucerne

• Lutfi from Israel (9/10)

  The location,the service and the helpful staff.

• Gilberto from Italy (7/10)

  It’s quite

• Fabiano from Malawi (8/10)

  Breakfast was excellent. Service was beyond expectation.

• Nitzan from Switzerland (7/10)

  Close to the subway, relatively quiet area, close to central park, room was spacious and our requests were handled quickly (we asked for another blanket because we were cold)

• Mohammad from Saudi Arabia (8/10)

  Location

• Richard from United Kingdom (8/10)

  LOVELY COMFORTABLE BED .NICE ROOM
  VIEW NOT SO GOOD

• Edwin from United States (9/10)

  The staff was friendly and helpful. The location was excellent. Good eats nearby.

• Tina from Australia (9/10)

  Lovely staff, location was great as it was outside the super tourist area and had a lot of restaurants/bars/cafes. The room was comfortable albeit small for four adults. The heater was excessively noisy but it's an older building. The restaurant "Nice Martin" next door was fantastic for all your culinary needs.

• Susan from Spain (8/10)

  The hotel was in a fairly good location with the subway just a block away . There are lots of restaurants and bars nearby .

• Jill from United States (7/10)

  The rooms were pretty nice and were quite clean. The front lobby and staff did a nice job and greeting/checking in guests in a timely manner. The lobby is small but very nicely decorated.

Surroundings

Facilities