I’m writing this from room 1801 at Sofitel New York on West 44th Street, a Luxury King at the end of the 18th-floor hallway. Some of my clients have stayed here and enjoyed it, so I wanted to see the hotel’s recent renovation for myself.
Sofitel New York is a polished four-star hotel with comfortable, newly renovated rooms, a surprisingly quiet atmosphere for Midtown, and a location that puts much of Manhattan within walking distance.
I booked through Accor Preferred, as I do for my clients, so I could experience the same benefits firsthand.
Book With Accor Preferred Benefits
How to Book Sofitel New York (With Added Benefits)
Accor Preferred is Accor’s travel advisor program, the hotel group behind Sofitel. When you select the Accor Preferred rate in our booking tool, the benefits below are automatically included at no additional cost.
Breakfast
Daily for two at Social 45
Hotel Credit
$100 for food and drink
VIP Touches
Upgrade and late checkout, when available
Planning something more complicated, like multiple rooms or connecting rooms? Send your stay details through my luxury hotel request form, and my team can help.
What I Love
- My room was dead quiet at night.
- Times Square, Fifth Avenue, and Rockefeller Center are a short walk away, and the hotel’s one-way block is calm for Midtown.
- The desk setup in my room was good and I had in-room coffee (rare in NYC).
- The blackout curtains let in very little light, and the bed was really comfortable.
- Service is friendly across the hotel, from the bellman to housekeeping to the breakfast team.
Good to Know
- Accor classifies it as a four-star hotel, and AAA named it a Four Diamond hotel in 2025.
- The bathroom still felt a little dated.
- The decor is dark, so expect to turn on the lights even with the curtains open.
- My room had no luggage rack.
- The hotel charges a nightly Urban Experience Fee on top of the room rate.
Arrival and First Impressions
I arrived at Sofitel New York after a trip through Spain, where I’d stayed at Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental hotels. Sofitel is a step down in luxury, but it’s also priced accordingly. For a polished four-star hotel in this part of Midtown, I think it offers very good value, particularly after the renovation.
The hotel has a darker color scheme than many recently renovated properties, though that’s not unusual in New York. My room’s entryway has dark gray walls, and I needed the lights on even with the curtains open. The lobby has a similarly subdued feel.
It was pouring rain when I arrived, and a bellman swiftly saw me and came outside to collect my luggage. Check-in was easy, and the staff are friendly and helpful. The lobby has several seating areas, a lovely floral arrangement, and separate concierge and reception desks.
The front desk walked me through my Accor Preferred benefits. Because I’m also an Accor Gold member, they reminded me that my complimentary drink vouchers were available in the Accor app. The bellman who delivered my luggage took the time to show me around the room, too.
My Luxury King Room at Sofitel New York
I booked a Superior King and was assigned room 1801, a Luxury King. The front desk didn’t specifically mention an upgrade, but I recognized it as one.
The renovation refreshed the guest rooms with updated paneling and furniture. One of my favorite features was the black lacquered desk, which I used quite a bit during my stay. It has a built-in outlet and a comfortable chair, along with a phone, writing pad, and in-room dining menu. It’s a proper workspace, which isn’t always easy to find in hotel rooms anymore.
There’s also a sitting area with two club chairs and a table, and I liked the lacquered closet doors. The bed was very comfortable, and I slept well.
The room was well stocked, with plenty of storage and thoughtful extras:
- Minibar: Fully stocked with snacks, drinks, miniature liquor bottles, and a wine opener.
- Coffee: An espresso maker with regular and decaf coffee, paper cups, sugar, and stir sticks. The powdered creamer wasn’t my favorite.
- Coffee maker instructions: A small detail I appreciated. Even though I’ve owned a Nespresso machine and used plenty in hotels, they’re not always intuitive.
- Closet amenities: A clothes steamer, Sofitel robes, slippers, a safe, extra blankets, and laundry bags.
- Other useful extras: A voltage converter, sewing kit, shoe mitts, and lint brushes.
- Bedside conveniences: Outlets on both sides of the bed, an alarm clock radio, and temperature controls.
These were the amenities in my Luxury King. I’ve seen recent guest reports of rooms without coffee makers, so I’d confirm with the hotel if that’s important to you.
There isn’t a master switch to turn off all the lights, and the curtains are manual rather than motorized. However, the blackout curtains work extremely well. Very little light came through, which is something I always appreciate.
One thing I missed was a luggage rack. I prefer not to put my suitcase on the floor, but I didn’t have another option here.
Instead of bottled water, the room has a glass carafe and two drinking glasses. Each floor has a water refill station, similar to the setup I’ve seen at W New York Union Square. Mine was conveniently located on the same side of the hallway as my room. I appreciate the effort to reduce plastic waste, although guests accustomed to bottled water in their rooms may feel differently.
The View and the Quiet
I didn’t have much of a view. My windows looked out at other buildings and a neighboring rooftop’s air conditioning units. I didn’t mind, because the room was dead quiet, which is rare in New York City. It sat at the end of the hallway, and I believe it was a corner room.
West 44th Street is a one-way street, fairly quiet for Midtown. Still, if something is happening outside and your room faces the street, you will hear it, like the bands warming up nearby for the Columbus Day Parade during my stay.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is the part of my room that didn’t feel like it changed much during the renovation. It has a walk-in shower and a separate tub. It has a single sink with plenty of counter space and a hair dryer.
The Diptyque toiletries are full size, and they are good. My hair felt great, and I always love the Diptyque lotion. The bathroom is also stocked with things you may have forgotten to pack, like cotton swabs and shower caps, which is becoming rarer in hotels. Overall, the bathroom is fine with excellent lighting (better than the five star hotel I was at the night before my stay here).
For the price I paid for my Superior King, I am happy with the stay. I’d estimate it cost half, or even a quarter, of what a five-star hotel in Midtown costs.
Insider Tips · Sofitel New York
Check the Accor app for drink vouchers. As an Accor Gold member, I had one drink voucher per night in the app. The first night I signed the bill so I could leave a tip, and the second night they poured me a glass to take up to my room.
Ask for a late checkout. I asked and got a 1 p.m. checkout. Late checkout is one of the Accor Preferred benefits when the hotel can offer it.
Ask for a room that faces away from the street if quiet matters. Mine was at the end of the hallway, faced other buildings, and was silent.
Know how the connecting rooms work. My room and the room across from it sat behind one shared door in the hallway, called a lock-off door. Some hotels call it an outer-connecting room set. Close that hallway door and leave both room doors open, and the two rooms connect privately.
Which Room to Book
Sofitel New York has 398 rooms and suites, including 52 one-bedroom suites. Accor lists every room type except the suites at 344 square feet, so the main differences are the floor, the view, and the beds.
- For two: a Superior or Luxury King. The city view from my Luxury King on the 18th floor was mostly neighboring buildings.
- For a skyline view: a Signature Skyline View room on a high floor.
- For a family of four: a room with two queen beds, the Executive King with its sofa bed, or connecting rooms through my request form.
Superior Rooms
Sleeps two in the king, or four across two queen beds. This is the basic room type, and the one I booked. Check extra-bed options for your group before you book.
Luxury King or Two Queens, City View
Sleeps two in the king, or four across two queen beds, with a city view. This is the room type I stayed in, on the 18th floor.
Executive King With Sofa Bed
Sleeps four, with a king bed and a double sofa bed, and a city view. It suits a family that wants to stay in one room.
Signature Skyline View, High Floor
Sleeps two in the king, or four across two queen beds, on a high floor with skyline views.
One-Bedroom Suites
Sleeps four, with a king in the bedroom and a sofa bed in a separate living room. These suites are 645 square feet. Options include high-floor skyline views, a Chrysler Building view, a Juliette Balcony, and private terraces. For a suite, send your dates through my request form.
Penthouse Suite
Sleeps two in the king. The penthouse is on the 28th floor and covers 1,205 square feet. It has Manhattan skyline views, a living room, a kitchenette, and a dining room that seats eight.
Book any of these rooms with the Accor Preferred rate in our booking tool. For connecting rooms, like the pair that shared my hallway door, use my luxury hotel request form, and my team will confirm the setup with the hotel for your dates.
Social 45: Breakfast and the Bar
Social 45 is the hotel’s bar and bistro, added in the renovation. They serve breakfast there, and it was included with my Accor Preferred benefits.
One day I had a power bowl with eggs, and the next day I had a vegetable omelet with arugula. Both came out fast, which I appreciate. The service was very friendly.
The bar is in the same space. It is pretty quiet and doesn’t have a huge New York bar scene, which I liked.
The West 44th Street Location
Sofitel New York is on West 44th Street. It sits between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, on the same block as the New York Yacht Club, the Harvard Club, and the Algonquin and Iroquois hotels.
You can walk almost everywhere from here, and walking is part of the New York experience. Times Square is around the corner in one direction. Fifth Avenue is around the corner in the other, and Madison Avenue is one block past it.
On this trip we walked to MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art), the American Girl store, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park. We also walked up to the Upper East Side to meet friends and family for dinner.
When you’d rather not walk, the 42nd Street–Bryant Park subway station is about three minutes away on foot. Grand Central is about nine minutes on foot.
To me, this block feels less hectic than the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park, where The Plaza sits, and there is a lot going on. I love The Plaza for a different type of stay. This block still puts you in the heart of everything.
Fitness, Fees, and Practical Details
- Fitness: a fitness studio with Technogym equipment, open 24 hours. I didn’t use it.
- Spa: there is no spa.
- Urban Experience Fee: charged nightly, in addition to the room rate.
- Parking: valet parking, for an extra nightly charge.
- Pets: one dog up to 30 pounds per room, for an additional fee.
- Check-in and check-out: 3 p.m. and 11 a.m.
What Recent Guests Mention
Since the renovation, a few things come up again and again in guest reviews:
- Service gets the most praise, especially the breakfast team, the doormen, and housekeeping. I agree with this.
- Several guests say the bathrooms were not updated as much as the rooms.
- Accor ALL elite members report mixed experiences with room upgrades. If you have elite status, I recommend booking through Accor Preferred to maximize your chances of an upgrade by combining your loyalty status with the hotel’s travel advisor VIP benefits.
Who Sofitel New York Is For (and Who It Isn’t)
- Travelers who want to walk to Broadway, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, and MoMA from a quieter Midtown block.
- Anyone who needs to work from the room, because the desk setup is good.
- Families who need two queen beds, a sofa bed (in select rooms), or connecting rooms.
- Travelers who want a renovated four-star room in Midtown for well below five-star prices.
If you want a five-star bathroom, a spa, or a lively hotel bar, this is not your hotel. For a five-star stay in Midtown, start with my reviews of Four Seasons Hotel New York or The Plaza.
FAQs About Sofitel New York
Is Sofitel New York a five-star hotel?
No. Accor rates Sofitel New York four stars, and AAA named it a Four Diamond hotel in 2025. Expect a well-renovated four-star hotel.
Was Sofitel New York renovated?
Yes. Sofitel unveiled a full-scale renovation by the design firm HBA in November 2025. It covered the guest rooms, the suites, and the lobby, and it added a new fitness studio and the Social 45 bar and bistro. My room felt fully refreshed, but my bathroom did not feel like it had been updated much.
Where is Sofitel New York located?
It’s at 45 West 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Times Square is around the corner. Rockefeller Center and MoMA are an easy walk, and the 42nd Street–Bryant Park subway station is about three minutes away on foot.
Does Sofitel New York have connecting rooms?
Yes. My room and the room across the hall sat behind one shared door in the hallway, so the two rooms could be closed off together as a pair. To request connecting rooms, send your dates through my luxury hotel request form, and my team will confirm the setup with the hotel.
Does Sofitel New York charge a nightly fee?
Yes. The hotel charges a nightly Urban Experience Fee in addition to the room rate. Valet parking and pets cost extra too.
Does Sofitel New York have a gym or a spa?
It has a fitness studio with Technogym equipment that is open 24 hours. There is no spa.
What are the Accor Preferred benefits for Sofitel New York?
You get daily breakfast for two, a food and drink credit, and an upgrade, early check-in, or a later checkout whenever the hotel can offer them. To get them, book through our booking tool and choose Accor Preferred.
Plan Your Stay
Ready to Reserve Your Room?
Pick your room with our booking tool. Choose Accor Preferred, and breakfast for two, a hotel credit, and an upgrade when available come with it. For two or more rooms or a suite, use my request form instead.
Looking at other New York hotels? See my reviews of The Plaza, Hotel 50 Bowery, Nine Orchard, Mandarin Oriental New York, The Towers at Lotte New York Palace, The Dominick, and The Marlton. Planning the rest of the trip? Start with my guide to New York City with kids.
