Wanna Be Steps Away From Broadway and Times Square? Here's Where to Stay in New York

Some might say there are two sides to New York. There's the humble aspects that have made neighborhoods like Brooklyn and Queens rise up as some of the coolest areas to be seen in. Then there's the super wealthy side where flashing cash in decadent hotel restaurants is the only way to be seen. Basically, what to do if you want to channel your inner Blair Waldorf on your next trip too NYC.

But, if you want the best of both worlds, ie. easy access to many of the popular location but in a humble setting, The Time New York is the way to go. I checked in after a brief walk from Penn Station and was delighted to see how close I'd be staying to al the action. The hotel is just off Times Square and is located right in the thick of the theater district. Hello Broadway!

From my room window I could see the Ambassador Theater were Chicago The Musical plays, and in under 10 minutes I could walk to the Rockefeller Plaza, Radio City Music Hall and the great shops of Fifth Avenue.

But thanks, in part, to global restaurant brand Seraphina, The Time is a destination in itself for those in the Big Apple. The Northern Italian restaurant is located at street level, it's famous yellow logo making walkers-by stop at what would otherwise be a very discreet-looking hotel. Otherwise they serve up a good brew at the grab-and-go Goldfinch Coffee Shop, and deliver a more sophisticated bar experience upstairs at the Legrande Lounge, facing the lobby.

While they don't have a gym on site, an additional fee of $19.99 allows guests to enjoy number of perks, and it's totally worth it. It includes use the TMPL Fitness by David Barton, a great place to work out in Midtown Manhattan, a complimentary happy hour with wine and cheese, a Continental breakfast for two at Seraphina, free tea and coffee plus 20 percent off drinks at the bar.

The rooms are neat too. I stayed in a Standard Full, which conveniently has USB Ports Located in the bedside tables so you don't have to go through the trouble of using an international adaptor, and there's a Gourmet Mini Bar in case you can't be bothered to go down to the supermarket on the corner. I especially adored how the television was disguised in the circular mirror and quirky touches like the little figurines in the oversized bulb lamp.

Most importantly, the hotel was clean and colorful thanks to the sleek hardwood flooring and Moroso Chair, and I didn't have to worry about not being able to sleep in the bright lights of the city.

Blackout drapes are LIFE.