This was my second festive-season trip to New York, travelling between Christmas Day and New Year, and we chose Aliz Hotel Times Square for a slightly different but still central location. The hotel makes a good first impression. There’s a smart bar in reception with a restaurant just off it. We didn’t use the restaurant, but the bar worked well for early morning coffee or a late beer. The staff throughout the hotel were excellent. Friendly, calm, and genuinely helpful despite how busy it was. Rooms were clean and well presented. The bed was a good size and comfortable, but the room itself is compact. Once your suitcase is on the stand, space becomes tight. The en-suite was fine with a decent shower, though it’s worth asking for extra towels as the standard ones are closer to large hand towels. The rooftop bar is very good and lives up to the photos, with great views and equally good service. If possible, ask for a south-facing room and aim for at least the 20th floor for Empire State Building views. The main drawback is the lifts. At peak times, waits of 15 to 20 minutes are common. Leaving early in the morning helped, but afternoons and evenings can be frustrating. If lifts annoy you, stay lower or prepare for lift roulette. Location-wise it’s strong. About eight minutes to Times Square, ten minutes to Penn Station, and five minutes to the subway. We paid around £2,800 for two rooms for four nights including taxes. Not cheap, but Christmas in New York rarely is.