First stayed at this hotel a couple years ago in a standard room. While the room wasn't large, I've stayed in much smaller ones uptown. This hotel has the most central location in the meatpacking area. This time I opted for the Manhattan Suite which has 1 1/2 baths and a step out balcony. I have to say the staff was perfect both times. This time we received a complimentary bottle of wine and small box of Godiva. The Cutler bath amenities were lovely and plentiful. Very comfortable. It was freezing outside with the wind off the water and all we had to do was cross the street for a great meal. Five minutes to shopping, restaurants and Chelsea market. I do plan on going back there again. Yes, it is pricey, but around fall you can find discounts through winter.

Stayed from the end of December 2012 until January 2013 for 9 nights.
Hotel location is in the fantastic meatpacking district with lots of sights nearby (such as: high line park, Chelsea market and SoHo) and only one block away from a main subway route.

Unfortunately you pay a high price for the name and image whilst you only get a small room with no tea/ coffee making facilities.

In-room prices are extortionate at $9 for a bottle of water. Given that there's "one of the top clubs in the meatpacking district" located in the penthouse, every evening you'd come home to a queue of people in front of the hotel and you'd have to clearly distinguish yourself as a guest rather than a clubber.
On a side note, the music played was two years behind European club music (at least) and was frequented by a wide range of ages from spotty teens to women with their mothers.

Overall, the hotel is fancy and you pay for the name. However, the location couldn't be better!

Make sure you ask for a room above the 7th floor for better views.

All in all it was a good trip. Centrally located to all the nightlife in manhattan. Friendly staff. Rooms are a bit small. They made us wait until 3pm to check in even though we had just came in from a red eye. Very expensive to stay here. Everyone expects a tip immediately. I would only stay here again because my girl likes it.

Stayed at the HG for Christmas from the 22 to 28 December. This was out first time staying in the meatpacking. It is quite a distance from Midtown and the rest of the tourist NYC attractions but was nice to be out of the way and living in the 'village' for a little while.

There are some great bars around here such as the Turks and Frogs and the Left Bank so the village is worth exploring

We were hoping to check in on our arrival at 2pm but unfortunately the room was not ready until 3pm, this was fine as check in is from there and the staff at HG did everything they could to try and get the room ready before 3 so we could change and get to our reservation but it was not to be.

We went up to the rooftop pool bar on the staffs recommendation. I have to say this was the one and only time we did go up there. It is used every night for parties and for the hip NYC people to meet and have drinks, and we presume to hold pool parties in the summer. For this reason the room was not in its best state and could have done with a few licks of paint and new furniture which has obvs been mistreated by party goers to the HG over the years. It was also cold and expensive (even though the champagne came in plastic glasses). We arrived with another couple who felt the same, after 1 drink both couples left to go to the lobby bar which was a lot warmer and better kept. Saying that, the white painted wall opposite the bar could have also done with a topcoat, just little touches which are noticeable but easy to rectify.

Because we didn't get to our room until after our reservation the sight of the rooftop bar did worry us that the hotel suite would be the same. However we shoulnd't have worried as it was nice and spacious. We had a bedroom, 2 bathrooms and a living room with a TV which was more than enough space for the 2 of us. All of the rooms were nicely decorated - there were a few random full length photos of models in the room, some of which felt as though they were looking at you which was a bit creepy. Aside from this is was decorated well. Loved the additional wardrobes. The bathroom glass was cracked in the corner - just another thing that could have been fixed beforehand.

The mini bar and mini sweetie store in the room is very cute - until you see the prices, they were quite exceptional! A 1/4 bottle of champagne was $50 which is a tad steep. There are so many drugstores in the area don't be tempted to use the mini bar or eat the sweets and crisps!

The only time we ate in the hotel was room service. It arrived both times within 20 minutes and the portions were huge! Just be careful again with the prices as they seem reasonable on the menu but then there is an additional tax and delivery charge of $5 extra on top, so the price looks attractive but is not a true reflection of what you will pay.

On Christmas Day we spend a couple of hours in the Lobby Bar. The bar tender was very entertaining and kept his bar lovely and tidy - recommend you go and see him!!

Everyone in the hotel was nice and friendly, the doormen remember you and there is usually someone on the lift who calls the lift down for you when you walk through the door.

Overall we had a fab time in the HG. I had heard that it was quite noisy and the disco was too loud into the early hours but we heard none of this. We had a very relaxing peaceful stay.

Thanks HG for your kind service and pleasant stay. Will come back to try the HG Park Ave soon!