The William powered by Sonder

The William powered by Sonder Overview

First Impressions

Walking into The William powered by Sonder on East 39th Street, you immediately get that “boutique hotel meets modern efficiency” vibe that actually works. This four-star property sits right in Murray Hill, and honestly, the location alone makes it worth considering — I mean, you’re literally in the heart of Manhattan without the Times Square chaos. The lobby has this sleek, understated design that feels more like a stylish apartment building than a traditional hotel, which makes sense given Sonder’s whole approach to hospitality.

The Murray Hill Advantage

Here’s what I love about this spot in New York — you’re close enough to everything that matters but far enough from the tourist madness to actually get some sleep. Grand Central is just a few blocks away, which means you can hop on the subway or catch a train out of the city without dealing with crowds. The neighborhood has this great mix of office workers during the day and a surprisingly good dining scene at night. You know what’s really convenient? There are actual grocery stores nearby, plus plenty of decent coffee shops that aren’t charging $8 for a latte.

The Room Experience

The rooms here are where The William really shines — and I’m not just saying that because of the location score of 9.3. Each room feels more like a well-designed studio apartment than a typical hotel space, with clean lines and thoughtful touches that make you want to actually hang out there. The beds are genuinely comfortable (apparently other guests agree, since they’re highly rated), and the blackout curtains actually work, which is crucial in a city that never sleeps. The bathrooms are compact but efficient, with good water pressure and decent toiletries.

Tech-Forward Hospitality

Since this is powered by Sonder, everything runs through their app — check-in, room access, even requesting extra towels. It might sound impersonal, but it’s actually pretty smooth once you get used to it. No waiting in line to check in, no hunting down front desk staff for simple requests. The WiFi is solid throughout the building, and each room has plenty of USB ports and outlets, which feels basic but you’d be surprised how many hotels still mess this up. There’s also a kitchenette setup in most rooms, which is perfect for storing leftovers or making coffee without paying hotel prices.

Why Guests Love It

Couples especially seem to love this place — they’ve rated the location 9.5 for romantic getaways, and I can see why. Murray Hill has this quieter, more residential feel compared to Midtown, but you’re still walking distance from Bryant Park, the Empire State Building, and some excellent restaurants. The combination of a great location, comfortable accommodations, and that tech-savvy approach to service creates something that feels both efficient and personal. It’s not trying to be the fanciest hotel in the city, but it nails the fundamentals while giving you easy access to everything New York has to offer.

The William powered by Sonder Accommodations

Reviews of The William powered by Sonder

• Gary from Australia (8/10)

  Location was great, 2 blocks from central station and an easy walk to time square and central park

• Natalie from United Kingdom (8/10)

  I traveled for medical reasons the staff could not have done more for me whilst I stayed with them, they were beyond kind

• Annie from New Zealand (9/10)

  Great location in East Midtown, close to great bars and eateries and a few minutes walk to the subway/bus. Surprisingly quite due to location of room away from the busy streets of NYC.

• Scott from United States (9/10)

  As an old social club, the building is beautiful, and it's amazing to have a speakeasy with multiple rooms downstairs. Very friendly workers who will get you whatever you need. The room was comfy with lots of light.

• Henk from Netherlands (7/10)

  Location, ambiance downstairs

• Lisa from Belgium (7/10)

  Good location in Manhattan

• Patricia from United States (7/10)

  the staff couldn't have been friendler. we were there for 5 nights and it was very quiet.

• Stephen from Ireland (9/10)

  Very spacious room with kitchen and sitting area.
  Great location, very handy for Grand Central Station and midtown.
  Nice bars downstairs, lots of buzz around them but no noise in the room from them.

• John from Canada (9/10)

  The excellent staff and the assistance they gave us.
  Location of property. Booking of personal car to airport upon leaving. Upgrading of hotel room at no extra charge.

• Chris from Canada (7/10)

  FANTASTIC Location…
  Room was simple but spacious and bed was very comfortable
  Facility was clean.
  Solid construction you didn't hear anything from the rooms around you
  Bonus for having a speakeasy and a good restaurant on the property

Surroundings

Facilities