City that never sleeps. Concrete jungle where dreams are made of. However, you want to describe this city and however much it divides opinion, personally, I never tire of visiting it but it is down to the supremely costly hotel fares that my addiction to New York City remains in check. With London being another infinitely expensive city, I usually find that our British pounds go a long way in other countries but in New York City, a pound still feels very much like a pound.
Whilst this is the one city where I probably spend least time inside my hotel, the days of sightseeing are both exhilarating and exhausting so I seek somewhere comfortable, convenient and welcoming to return to; a hotel with a classy elegance reflective of the city it resides in but equally one where the nightly rate does not exceed the price of my international flight and this was how, after weeks of research, I stumbled upon Cassa Times Square.
Cassa Hotel Times Square
We reached our hotel a couple of hours earlier than anticipated and prior to check in time, thanks to a turbo-speed immigration and baggage collection so our room was not quite ready upon arrival. Energised to get exploring though, we willingly took the staff up on their offer to store our baggage, whilst we sat down to cups of hot chocolate and lemon water in the relaxed lobby lounge. We were also encouraged to dip into the large bowl of apples and bananas laid out in front of us.
In fact, this fresh fruit stash became our morning staple for the next three days. The food bloggers among you may be scoffing at the fact that we ate bananas for breakfast in the foodie empire that is NYC but having had various lunch, dinner (and cupcake) plans pencilled in for the next few days and recalling how much weight we gained during our previous New York visit, we were quite happy to forgo a sit down breakfast with fruit and a hot drink from the lobby instead.
This relatively new hotel has a boutique luxury feel about it and was all set for the festive season with a large Christmas tree a the entrance with personalised Cassa Times Square decorations.
The staff throughout the stay, from the concierge to the bell boys, were always smiling and offering to help. One of them must have sensed that I always start to get hunger pangs around midnight when she told me, with no prompting, about the 24 hour deli just down the road. Perhaps those bananas were not quite achieving the purpose for which they had been recruited after all.
And special mention ought to go to the member of staff at concierge at 4am on the day of checkout, who had to deal with my meltdown, when I leaped out of the cab, ran across the (even at that hour) busy main road, straight over to the hotel reception, shrieking “Let me back into the room, I have forgotten my handbag in there.”
My handbag (or purse to my North American comrades) that was carrying my passport, bank cards, driving license and basically everything that I needed for everything at that point. I have always said that I am a nocturnal creature and most definitely not a morning person and if this episode was not evidence enough, then I do not know what is.
Cassa Times Square does not have its own restaurant but you only have to blink in New York City to find a dining spot and what Cassa Hotel lacks in restaurants, it makes up for with its panoramic rooftop terrace. We headed up on a bright blue-skied morning before heading out for the day but it is open for guests until midnight and lends a position of relative peace in the New York City hubbub from where to absorb the skyscraper-filled horizon. They even had a hot tub on the terrace but our swimwear remained tightly packed away for the Caribbean cruise that was to follow on from this break.
Hotel Rooms at Cassa Times Square Hotel
Back to the rooms though. I was surprised to find our room was far more spacious than I had imagined for a hotel right in the heart of Manhattan with more than enough suitcase, seating and strolling space around the bed. Clearly, with its Times Square location, we were not expecting this to be a quiet stay but the bed was so comfortable that we slept solidly each night despite our apprehensions about outside noise. And that location! We wasted no time after landing to leave our hotel and found Times Square, the New York Public Library, Grand Central Station and the Bryant Park Christmas Market within easy walking distance.
The TV was all IPad controlled and the decor was one of sleek, minimalist chic and had a very Scandinavian feel about it.
I was impressed with how spotlessly clean our room was always left upon our return in the evenings, especially considering how cluttered I managed to make hotel rooms look within about five minutes of walking into them.
With city hotels, it all comes down to what your needs and desires are as a travelller. If you need spas, pools, hotel restaurants and room service dining during your New York stay, then you will need to look elsewhere and dig deeper for more loose change; but if you are after a classy, boutique hotel in the heart of the city which has all your creature comforts and essential room amenities and a cohort of staff that shower you with personalised service, then Cassa might be right up your street.
What are your recommendations for New York Hotels?
Why Waste Annual Leave? 
Such a good find because hotels in New York are seriously pricey and small! We ended up staying across the river for a week but the apartment was brand spanking new and had amazing views so still a great result in the end!
Oh that sounds lovely Connie! Yes, that would have been my other plan if I didn’t find a hotel that I liked because as I was researching them, I was actually stunned at how costly some of them were, especially given the size, though I guess Christmas is a popular time. The riverside apartment sounds gorgeous!
Looks lovely! I like smaller hotels in cities, so this would be perfect for me!
Thanks Julie! I’m the same when I’m in a city as I’m usually out and about walking for hours so it was nice to have somewhere cosy, friendly and convenient in the heart of the city!
I am liking that bathroom. I love a bit of Scandi style. 🙂
I completely agree Jaklien! I’m no expert on interiors but I love the way they keep things so simple yet so classy ☺
Cassa Hotel is definitely worth remembering for when I next head back to NYC. I’m loving those clean minimalistic lines. I stayed at the Hotel Novotel NY Times Square on my last visit which I’d also very much recommend.
No way Suzanne?! What a strange coincidence – the Novotel Times Square was where I stayed too on my first visit which was my first holiday after starting work full time! Loved it there too & remember there being a lovely bar there ☺
I laughed at your comment about the pound v the dollar — NYC is expensive, even if your currency is worth “more” here! (And oof, I just see dollar signs when I think of London).
This place looks great! I usually stay at a bigger hotel, but Cassa looks like a perfect option.
Haha Heather
I think we get so immune to hideous prices here in London that everything usually comes as a pleasant surprise cost wise in most destinations we travel to – but like you say, not in New York! Yes, Cassa was a great, boutique option for somewhere with really decent stzws rooms in an area like Times Square!
I like the sound of the hot tub on the terrace! Plus an iPad to control the TV is very handy
Hehe, not if you’re technologically a bit slow like me Suze!
But yes it’s quite a cool concept! The weather was so much sunnier and warmer than is usual for that time of year but I still wish we’d have had a bit more time to enjoy that hot tub!
Very nice! I’m still a big fan of the Gansevoort 🙂
Thanks Angie! It was a lovely, little find ☺ Yes the Gansevoort looked great too – I was just after a slightly different location for the things we were seeing but there are so many unique, quirky hotel choices in New York that there were at least 15 I saw that I liked the look of!
Oh, it looks lovely. I’m planning a surprise trip to NYC for our 15th anniversary – might just stop by here.
What a lovely surprise! I might try and leave this comment open on my husband’s laptop as a not so subtle hint!
I spent hours looking at new york hotels and this was one of my the best ones I found when it came to marrying up location, boutique intimate style, cost, room size etc. I hope you do end up going – such a great place for a celebration in my biased opinion anyway as o love the city!
The bathroom looks v chic. Love that minimalist look!
It’s all so sleek in there Char and it’s already got quite spacious rooms for a Manhattan hotel but I think the minimalist decor made it look even bigger!
Fruits featured quite heavily in my breakfast choice too during my revisit visit to Delhi, despite all the scrummy other options at the hotel. I guess it’s true what they say… great minds do think alike – it was definitely a strategic decision given all the indulgence ahead each day! Back to this hotel though, looks like such a find 🙂 xxx
Thanks Ayushi! I felt a bit silly a.t the time just grabbing a banana when there were so many great breakfast places around but there were so many food places on the cards and such little time that something had to give! ☺
Thank you for sharing, will have to keep this place in mind next time we go to NY!
PS – I’m really enjoying your blog, your posts are great! I’ve just recently started blogging myself and it’s so cool to read other part-time bloggers experiences, thanks for the added inspiration! x
Thank you so much for your lovely comment Priti! I’m so pleased that you found my blog & that you’ve enjoyed reading some of the posts! I’m looking forward to keeping abreast of your travels too and definitely do check this out if you’re ever back in NYC – it’s a great boutique hotel option ☺
Looks nice, I know what you mean about NYC being an expensive destination and nice hotels that don’t bankrupt you can be hard to find! I’d definitely check this out next time I head over (I will certainly be going back!) looks a great base, as NYC is a city I’m always out exploring, so don’t need all the extras – just a nice, friendly hotel with a comfy bed to lay my head…
Exactly! I feel exactly the same way Keri – the added extras would be totally wasted on me in NYC because I’d hardly ever be in the room to use them! Even when we were back during the day, it was for a quick change of clothes pre – dinner, a charge of the phone and perhaps a power nap before we headed out so somewhere friendly, central and spacious is perfect for me ☺
You know, we can’t believe we’ve never been to NYC! Something we just have to correct. We’ll keep this hotel in mind. And you’re right, it wouldn’t matter that it doesn’t have a restaurant, what with all the great restaurants and delis that NY has…
Oh you must go! It’s absolutely my favourite city outside home and I hope it lives up to expectations for you both too when you go! Yes, in cities like that, I very rarely end up needing a hotel restaurant anyway so it worked out fine in the end!
Great choice, girl! I’ve heard that hostels & hotels in NYC are terribly expensive and it’s hard to find a good place to stay for a reasonable price. Well, you made it without any problems, right? Looks like a place where I wouldn’t mind staying :-).
Thanks so much Agness! Yes it took hours and hours of research but I managed to find one eventually! NYC is definitely one of the m expensive cities I’ve been to when it comes to accommodation costs!
NYC is hard to balance the cost, size and locations of hotel stays, you’re spot on!
Ain’t that the truth Emma – something always feels like it has to give hence why I was so pleased to have found this one, which came with no catch!
I cannot believe you almost left your bag there Shikha! You are such a scatterbrain hahaha!! This place looks like a great find. You don’t need pools, restaurants and all those other added luxuries when you’re in New York as the city is enough by itself to keep you busy. That view from the roof would be enough to tempt me!
Don’t even Ayla! I honestly think there’s a major screw loose in there for when it comes to me losing material things! I agree though about big city hotels like NYC – we were on the go every second of the day so there’s no way I’d have made use of any pools or spas – lovely boutique stays get my vote every time for destinations like this ☺
I too would be happy with a light fruit breakfast (not a morning nor a breakfast person) but I’m sure my husband will be wanting a ‘proper’ one. And whoa, I too would have had a huge meltdown if I forgot my purse in the room! eek! Good thing you realised just in time 🙂
Oh honestly Jean, my husband was SO unimpressed with that little incident – thank GOODNESS it got noticed when the taxi was still just outside the hotel – can you imagine if it had been near the airport?! Not my finest hour and this is *exactly* why I don’t trust myself to do anything productive or important first thing in the mornings!! 😀
What a find in NYC!! I have to note this option down for when I return to NY, which is just one of my favorite cities in the world, and as you, I never tired of going there 😀
It’s so rare to find a really classy, spacious hotel somewhere as popular and touristy as Times Square especially at Christmas time, without spending an absolute fortune so this hotel was such a perfect find! I highly recommend it Allane ☺
That’s really good to know! It’s already on my list for when I go to NYC 😀 thank you dear!