Life Hotel New York City, New York City - Reviews, Room Options & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

19 West 31St Street, New York City, New York, United States of America, 10001

Life Hotel New York, a 4-star property in the former LIFE magazine headquarters, features an ornate gold cherub sculpture above its entrance and original marble floors, steel pillars, and wrought-iron metalwork throughout its 11-story building.

Vintage-Modern Room Design

The 98 rooms at Life Hotel showcase retro-style brass bedframes, concrete floors, and Carrera marble bathrooms with rain showerheads. Each room includes a 60-inch flat-screen TV, Google Chromecast, and dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot, while select tenth-floor rooms offer Empire State Building views from private patios.

Restaurant and Bar

HENRY restaurant serves wood-fired dishes, cocktails, and wine by the glass. The lobby bar features a carved wooden counter with marble top, six draft beers, and transforms into a communal workspace during daytime hours.

Fitness and Events

The fourth-floor houses a microgym with cardio machines and resistance equipment. A rooftop Chef's Garden accommodates private dinners for 16 guests and cocktail events.

Central Manhattan Location

Luxe Life Hotel positions guests three blocks from Penn Station and 0.5 miles from the Empire State Building. The property sits 0.9 miles from Grand Central and 9.5 miles from LaGuardia Airport.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Classic Queen Room

Max:

2 persons

10 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Air conditioning

room details

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King Room

Max:

2 persons

17 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Air conditioning

room details

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Premium King Room

Max:

2 persons

21 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Air conditioning

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

A guide to all available transportation options

City Center

New York City 2.5 mi

Airports

LaGuardia (LGA) 9.1 mi

Teterboro (TEB) 12.2 mi

Train

33rd St1000 ft

Bus

Bus stop700 ft

Facilities

Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments

Wi-Fi

Parking

USD 50 per day

Baggage storage

24-hour services

24-hour reception

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Security
Allergy-free rooms
Elevator
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness center

Services

Housekeeping

Dining

Restaurant

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Media

Flat-screen TV

Location

19 West 31St Street, New York City, New York, United States of America, 10001

Map view

street view

19 West 31St Street, New York City, New York, United States of America, 10001

City landmarks

20 West 34th Street

Empire State Building

3300 ft

Square

Times Square

4800 ft

Landmark

Rockefeller Center

1.1 mi

30 Rockfeller Plaza Enter on West 50th Street

Top of the Rock

1.1 mi

Parks

The High Line

1.7 mi

Parks

Bryant Park

3700 ft

Parks

Central Park

2.6 mi

Libraries

New York Public Library

3000 ft

Church

St. Patrick's Cathedral

1.1 mi

Stadiums

Madison Square Garden

2200 ft

Parks

Washington Square Park

1.2 mi

405 Lexington and 42nd St.

Chrysler Building

4800 ft

Museums

Madame Tussauds New York

4200 ft

175 5th Ave At 23rd St.

Flatiron Building

2700 ft

Museums

The Museum of Modern Art

1.1 mi

Mall

Fifth Avenue

1.0 mi

Libraries

Pierpont Morgan Library

2600 ft

Parks

Madison Square Park

2200 ft

Tower

Trump Tower

1.3 mi

Museums

Rubin Museum of Art

5000 ft

121 Wooster St

Bowery

1.9 mi

Museums

Intrepid Sea

1.4 mi

150 E 36th St # 158

Sniffen Court Historic District

3100 ft

Museums

The Museum at FIT

2700 ft

34th Street

3000 ft

Nearby

Square

Macy's

1500 ft

New York City

Manhattan Skyline

1200 ft

Square

Herald Square

1500 ft

Museums

Museum of Sex

1500 ft

Restaurants

Il Pastaio di Eataly

2700 ft

200 5th Avenue

Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar

100 ft

11 W 31st St Between 5th Avenue and Broadway

miss KOREA BBQ

1000 ft

10 W 32nd St between 5th Ave & Broadway

Henry at Life Hotel

100 ft

19 W 31st Street Luxe Life Hotel New York

Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe

900 ft

6 W 32nd St

Jongro BBQ

1000 ft

22 W 32nd St 2nd Fl

New Wonjo Restaurant

1100 ft

23 W 32nd St

Osamil

300 ft

5 W 31st St 1Fl. bet 5th ave - Broadway

Cloud Social

900 ft

6 W 32nd St 17th Floor

The Kunjip

1000 ft

32 W 32nd St Koreatown

Five Senses

1000 ft

9 W 32nd St 1st Floor

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

86%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily stay again

8.6/10

Great

Rooms

7.0

Location

8.6

Service

6.4

Dining

6.0

4/5 based on 139 reviews

#320 of 492 hotels in New York City based on Tripadvisor

Michael

United Kingdom, February 2025

7.0/10

My stay at Life Hotel was generally pleasant, with a notably fantastic location and clean amenities. The comfort of the beds was a highlight, ensuring a solid night's sleep. However, I encountered a few downsides, such as a lack of heating in the bathroom, and some staff interactions that left something to be desired. Overall, it was a decent choice for a trip to NYC, but there's room for improvement.

Rooms

7.0

I found the rooms clean and comfortable, though a bit on the smaller side. The lack of a fridge was a bit inconvenient, and the room could darken as it faced another building. Still, the ease of the layout made my stay enjoyable.

Service

6.0

While most staff were warm, I did encounter some that felt distant and less helpful. One staff member in particular was lovely and engaging, which truly stood out during my visit.

Location

9.0

The location was superb, just a short walk from the Empire State Building with plenty of nearby dining options. It made it easy to explore the vibrant streets of New York City with all its attractions within reach.

Dining

6.0

Breakfast included some nice options like toast and oatmeal, though I would have preferred more variety or an on-site restaurant. Nevertheless, it was ideal for a quick meal before heading out.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel had a charming atmosphere with clean facilities, though I did notice some areas for improvement such as the slow elevator. Still, it maintained a cozy ambiance despite its smaller size.

Parker

United Kingdom, February 2025

6.0/10

I had a pleasant stay at Life Hotel, enjoying the large, comfortable room and friendly staff. The location is fantastic, close to major attractions like the Empire State Building and Times Square. However, the bathroom was small, and some noise came through from the neighboring rooms at times, which detracted slightly from the experience.

Rooms

8.0

The room was spacious with a remarkably comfortable bed, though the bathroom was a bit cramped. I appreciated the high ceilings and unique decor.

Service

10.0

The staff was warm and accommodating, responding quickly to my inquiries and providing a welcoming atmosphere throughout my stay.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location couldn't be better—just a couple of blocks from the Empire State and Penn Station, making exploring the city very easy.

Dining

7.0

The morning coffee and pastries were a nice touch, but I wished there were more substantial options available for breakfast.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel was clean and well-maintained, contributing to a cozy atmosphere despite being in a bustling area.

Rosie

United Kingdom, December 2024

6.2/10

My stay at Life Hotel had its ups and downs. The location was fantastic, nestled in a quiet street near many attractions (perfect for sightseeing!). However, the staff was not as welcoming, and the lack of amenities left much to be desired. The room was clean but felt cramped, missing some basic comforts that would make a stay more enjoyable.

Rooms

6.0

I found the room to be quite small, which limited how I could move around. Despite being clean, there were no mini-fridges or coffee-making facilities, which was a bit inconvenient for my work trip. I did appreciate the decent level of decor, but it felt more somber than inviting.

Service

5.0

The check-in was straightforward, but I wasn’t given much information upon arrival. While I appreciated the effort from the housekeeping staff, the overall friendliness of the service could have been improved (I felt like I was in a ghost town sometimes).

Location

9.0

The location was really perfect for exploring New York City. It’s right by Koreatown and within walking distance of many restaurants, shops, and subway stations, making my day trips quite easy.

Dining

5.0

I was disappointed by the dining options. The bar and restaurant were not operational during my stay, and the breakfast offerings were very basic and not what I expected at this price point (only coffee and a couple of pastries).

Facilities

5.0

The hotel felt quite limited in facilities, especially with the bar closed and no room service. While the cleanliness was good, the inadequate amenities made my stay less satisfying overall.

United Kingdom, December 2024

6.6/10

I had an average experience at Life Hotel in New York. On the plus side, the hotel is very affordable and the bed was super comfortable, which made for a decent night's sleep. The free breakfast, featuring croissants and fresh fruit, was a nice perk. However, the customer service at the front desk left a lot to be desired, and the hotel felt quite dark and a bit worn down. Overall, it has potential, but there are definite areas for improvement. 🛏️☕️

Rooms

6.0

The room I stayed in was clean and tidy, although a bit small for my liking. It didn't offer much natural light, as it faced the hotel’s utility area. Despite the size, the bed was really comfortable, which helped make up for the lack of space.

Service

5.0

The front desk service was quite lacking. I was shocked when the person on the phone started the call with a 'What?' when I called down. At check-in, they were efficient but not particularly welcoming.

Location

7.0

Life Hotel is centrally located, just a short walk from Penn Station and various attractions. While it’s easy to explore the city from here, the hotel itself doesn’t scream boutique charm but more of a generic feel.

Dining

6.0

Breakfast was reasonable with options like toast and fruit, though I only checked it out one morning. I would recommend they offer a more varied and prolonged service since many hotels do not include breakfast.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel featured a small gym and a coffee station, but I found the decor a bit off. Some areas could benefit from additional touches to enhance comfort, such as rugs on the floors since they felt cold and not very inviting.

Logan

United Kingdom, December 2024

6.8/10

I had a pretty mixed experience at Life Hotel. The room was unique and cozy, which I enjoyed, but I did run into some issues with customer service that left me frustrated. The hotel's location was fantastic, making it easy to hop around New York City, but the inconsistent service and a specific staff interaction really stood out in the negative way.

Rooms

8.0

My room had a distinct character and was clean, but the floors were cold with no rugs, making things a bit uncomfortable in winter. A little more attention to detail, like providing a coat hook, would've made it better.

Service

6.0

The majority of the staff were friendly and forthcoming, aside from one particular receptionist who left a bad impression. I had a tricky experience with my request not being addressed, which felt rather neglectful.

Location

9.0

The location is great! It’s a short walk to attractions and close to subway access, which was super convenient for my explorations around the city.

Dining

6.0

While the bar and restaurant looked appealing, I found the dining options a bit limited. The breakfast setup was quite basic and didn't wow me, though it was great to have coffee available throughout the day.

Facilities

5.0

Facilities were mostly okay, but I encountered cleanliness issues in my bathroom that really stood out. The drain wasn’t cleaned well, which felt unacceptable for a hotel of this nature.