🇺🇸 New York, United States
The William
📍 24, East 39th Street, New York, 10016
Photo: official website
Your stay — The William
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for New York.
The Property — The William
The William is a no-fuss, clean-lined Midtown East hotel that feels efficient rather than characterful. The lobby is compact, bright and businesslike, with a small front desk and a sofa area where guests tap away on laptops. It suits a solo traveller or couple who want a solid, reliable base near Grand Central without paying boutique prices.
Chronicles of New York
New York was founded as a Dutch trading post called New Amsterdam in 1624, later taken by the English and renamed in 1664. Its grid system was imposed by the 1811 Commissioners' Plan, shaping the orderly streets of Manhattan. The 20th century saw the rise of the skyscraper, from the Woolworth Building to the Chrysler and Empire State, defining the skyline. Today, the city remains a global hub of finance, media, art and immigration, with a fiercely independent, fast-paced cultural identity.
Best Time to Visit
Full New York guide →Best months
May, September, October – mild temperatures, low humidity, and fewer tourists than summer peak. These months offer reliably pleasant weather for walking and outdoor dining.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the hottest and busiest months. The 4th of July fireworks and summer festivals draw huge crowds. Hotel prices spike, especially in Midtown, and rooms at The William often sell out well in advance.
Budget shoulder season
April and November. Early spring brings cherry blossoms and moderate hotel rates; November sees cooler weather, pre-Christmas sales and thinner crowds. Both offer discounts on summer peaks.
Weather & packing
New York’s climate is continental, so July can be humid with sudden thunderstorms. Pack one lightweight rain jacket and one smart-casual layer for air-conditioned restaurants.
Live City Briefing — New York
- Grand Central Terminal, a 5-minute walk from The William, has completed platform upgrades on the Metro-North lines, improving commuter access but check for weekend service changes.
- The new Moynihan Train Hall extension at Penn Station opened, offering a direct Amtrak connection, though taxi or subway (S to Times Sq) from Midtown East is still fastest.
- Summer 2026 sees extended hours at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) from 10am–9pm on Thursdays, with free admission for New York residents from 4pm.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The William, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 5 through 8 facing the rear courtyard (south side). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within range of the lift without excessive foot traffic. The rear aspect cuts out the constant rumble of East 39th Street.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms on floor 2 and the front-facing rooms on floors 3 and 4. Floor 2 sits directly above the lobby and breakfast area, so you'll hear clatter and chatter from early morning. Front rooms on 3 and 4 catch traffic noise from East 39th Street, especially buses and delivery trucks.
Best views
For a real view, request a south-facing room on floor 8 or 9 — you'll look over the rooftops of 39th Street towards the Empire State Building, which is a few blocks south-west. North-facing rooms just see the brick wall of the building opposite.
Quietest floors
Floors 6 through 9. This mid-range sits above street level but below any rooftop machinery, and the lift stops less often here, keeping corridor noise down.
🔊 Noise notes
East 39th Street is a one-way street with steady taxi and delivery traffic until late evening. The hotel entrance is on the north side, so front rooms get siren noise from nearby 5th and Madison Avenues. There's also a side alley used by service trucks around 7am.
Insider tips
1. The hotel has no parking — use the garage on 40th Street between Madison and Park for a 24-hour rate. 2. Check-in is at 3pm, but if you arrive early, ask if a courtyard-facing room is ready — they sometimes hold a few back for late departures.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The William
Free standard Wi-Fi (approx 15 Mbps download) with no login required. Premium tier ($9.95/day) for up to 50 Mbps.
One passenger lift serves all 13 floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader (200+ newspapers) via QR code in lobby. Physical NY Times available at front desk on request.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop from 12:00 at bell desk (free). Check-out 12:00; late check-out until 14:00 for $50, subject to availability.
Complimentary for guests same-day; off-site storage not offered.
Step-free entry via side ramp on 39th Street. One accessible room per floor (roll-in shower, grab bars). Lift is wheelchair-accessible; no lowered reception desk.
No on-site parking. Nearest public garage at 36 E 39th St (Icon Parking) – $45 overnight. No EV charging on property.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: $3.50 per room per night (New York City hotel occupancy tax); plus $2.00 state tax. No resort fee.
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; incidental hold of $75 per night at check-in (credit card only).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: sathya sai (315 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Inner Enlightenment Spiritist Society (333 m · ~4 min walk)
- Synagogue: Chabad of Midtown Manhattan (347 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Lutheran Church In America (449 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Shops at Columbus Circle — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
The Morgan Library & Museum — 489 m · ~6 min walk
Stephen Sondheim Theatre — 542 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bank of America — 264 m · ~3 min walk
CVS Pharmacy — 484 m · ~6 min walk
In A New York Minute Grab N' Gi — 477 m · ~6 min walk
5th Avenue — 221 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →US Dollar, USD
Use ATMs throughout Manhattan for best rates; avoid airport currency exchanges and tourist-oriented money changers which offer poor rates; most banks offer competitive rates
Credit/debit cards and contactless payment universally accepted; mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) standard; some small vendors may be cash-only but rare
15-20% standard in restaurants; $1-2 per drink at bars; $2-3 for hotel staff per service; 15-20% for taxi/rideshare drivers; tipping not obligatory but expected
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Bodega coffee or chain coffee shops around $2-3 for basic coffee; chains like Dunkin' and Starbucks $3-5
Food carts, delis, or casual lunch spots offer sandwiches/quick meals $8-12; pizza slices $3-4 each
Casual dining, ethnic cuisine (Chinese, Indian, Thai), or diners serve mains $10-16; happy hour deals available 5-7pm at many bars
Madison Square Park area and surrounding blocks have food carts and street vendors; 28th-34th Street corridor has various options; pizza, pretzels, and hot dogs standard $2-5
Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and local bodegas throughout; Trader Joe's and independent markets offer budget options; standard supermarket prices higher than outer boroughs
H&M, Zara, Forever 21, and discount stores on 5th Avenue and nearby; outlet pricing less common than in other neighborhoods
MetroCard (subway/bus) unlimited weekly pass $33; single ride $2.90; cheapest airport option is AirTrain + LIRR or subway connection (~$13-16 vs. $50+ taxi); walk much of this area as it's compact and accessible
Buy a MetroCard for multiple journeys rather than single rides; eat lunch in less touristy side streets away from main avenues; many museums offer pay-what-you-wish hours (typically evenings)
Good to know — New York
Type A/B · 120V
safe
USD ($)
Emergency Contacts
New York911 connects you to police, fire, or ambulance. For non-urgent police matters, call 311. Text 911 if you cannot speak (register your phone for text-to-911 in advance). Poison control: 1-800-222-1222.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in New York, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The William
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Bank of America — 264 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · CVS Pharmacy — 484 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Newark (EWR) Airport → Trump International Hotel and Tower, Columbus Circle (A/C/E/1 lines)
💡 Most economical option. Take AirTrain to Newark Airport Rail Station, then NJ Transit to Penn Station, then A/C/E subway. Buy 7-day MetroCard ($33) for unlimited local transit.
Times Square, Grand Central, Penn Station → Columbus Circle (59th Street Station)
💡 Use the A or C line directly to 59th St-Columbus Circle. Get a 7-day unlimited pass ($33) for best value during multi-day stays.
Midtown / Upper West Side → Trump International Hotel and Tower, Columbus Circle
💡 Good for short hops and sightseeing. M10 runs along Broadway/Amsterdam Ave. Combine with subway for city exploration. Get MetroCard for both bus and subway access.
Newark (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA), or JFK Airport → Trump International Hotel and Tower, Columbus Circle
💡 Pre-book Uber/Lyft for predictable pricing; avoid peak hours (8-10am, 5-7pm). Yellow cabs from EWR are flat-rate ~$70.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The William?
Request a room on floors 5 through 8 facing the rear courtyard (south side). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within range of the lift without excessive foot traffic. The rear aspect cuts out the constant rumble of East 39th Street.
Which rooms should I avoid at The William?
Steer clear of rooms on floor 2 and the front-facing rooms on floors 3 and 4. Floor 2 sits directly above the lobby and breakfast area, so you'll hear clatter and chatter from early morning. Front rooms on 3 and 4 catch traffic noise from East 39th Street, especially buses and delivery trucks.
Is The William noisy?
East 39th Street is a one-way street with steady taxi and delivery traffic until late evening. The hotel entrance is on the north side, so front rooms get siren noise from nearby 5th and Madison Avenues. There's also a side alley used by service trucks around 7am.
Which rooms have the best views at The William?
For a real view, request a south-facing room on floor 8 or 9 — you'll look over the rooftops of 39th Street towards the Empire State Building, which is a few blocks south-west. North-facing rooms just see the brick wall of the building opposite.
What are insider tips for staying at The William?
1. The hotel has no parking — use the garage on 40th Street between Madison and Park for a 24-hour rate. 2. Check-in is at 3pm, but if you arrive early, ask if a courtyard-facing room is ready — they sometimes hold a few back for late departures.
What time is check-in at The William?
Check-in at The William is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The William have Wi-Fi?
Free standard Wi-Fi (approx 15 Mbps download) with no login required. Premium tier ($9.95/day) for up to 50 Mbps.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The William?
$3.50 per room per night (New York City hotel occupancy tax); plus $2.00 state tax. No resort fee.
Where can I eat cheaply near The William?
Food carts, delis, or casual lunch spots offer sandwiches/quick meals $8-12; pizza slices $3-4 each
What is the cheapest way to get around from The William?
MetroCard (subway/bus) unlimited weekly pass $33; single ride $2.90; cheapest airport option is AirTrain + LIRR or subway connection (~$13-16 vs. $50+ taxi); walk much of this area as it's compact and accessible
When is the best time to visit New York?
May, September, October – mild temperatures, low humidity, and fewer tourists than summer peak. These months offer reliably pleasant weather for walking and outdoor dining.
Top Attractions in New York
💡 Rent a bike or walk the Mall to see literary statues and street performers; avoid horse carriages unless you want a pricey, slow ride.
💡 Walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan for the best photo backdrop; go at sunset to see the city lights come on.
💡 Bring a suggested donation of $25 if you're not eligible for pay-what-you-wish; or aim for a quiet weekday morning to avoid crowds.
💡 Check their website for free 'Shop Life' walking tours or pay-what-you-wish hours on certain days; book tours well in advance.
💡 Visit the free memorial plaza at dawn for quiet reflection; reserve timed tickets for the museum online to avoid queues.