Reserve on our site
—up to 10% less
than on Booking.com
Check rooms and rates
From208US$ /night
Check-in
10Oct2025Select date
Check-out
11Oct2025Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Castle Hotel

45 West 81St Street, New York, New York, United States, 10024

The Excelsior Hotel, New York - An Upper West Side Residence

The Excelsior Hotel presents an authentic, residence-style experience in the heart of Manhattan's Upper West Side. This charming and comfortable establishment offers a welcome departure from the typical New York tourist hotel, infusing classic design with contemporary comfort for a truly discerning guest. It has made itself the classiest option for those seeking an immersive city experience away from the Times Square throngs.

Location

Positioned on the Upper West Side, the Excelsior enjoys a prime locale that feels both residential and remarkably connected. It overlooks the striking, glass-encased Rose Center for Earth and Space, offering a refreshing vista of green grass and trees from the Hayden Planetarium and Museum of Natural History across the way. A leisurely stroll leads to the cultural treasures of Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney Museums. Chic Upper East Side restaurants and the luxurious boutiques of Madison Avenue are within reach, while the hotel's proximity to the 81st Street - Museum of Natural History subway station (just 250 metres away) ensures easy access to the rest of the city, placing it near a wide selection of shopping and entertainment venues.

Style and Character

The Excelsior Hotel embraces a character that marries classic design and architecture with contemporary ease. The lobby, mirrored in the lounge and breakfast area, features refined wood paneling, creating an atmosphere of understated elegance. Details throughout the hotel, such as the suede upholstered headboards and geometric patterned pillows, speak to a considered aesthetic. The surrounding streets themselves offer a visual narrative, with beautiful low-rise brownstones artfully sharing space with tall, swanky apartment buildings, embodying the sophisticated charm of the neighborhood.

Service and Facilities

Guests can expect a welcoming atmosphere and excellent service during their stay. The hotel offers discerning guests a comfortable base with a range of practical facilities. A spacious fitness center, illuminated by plenty of natural light, is equipped with a wide variety of cardio and weight machines. For those needing to stay connected, a business area with a conference room and a business center is available. The relaxing lounge and breakfast area provides a pleasant communal space, and the hotel also features a terrace and a newspaper stand. For added convenience, a tour desk is on hand to assist with securing tickets to Broadway shows.

Rooms

The rooms at the Excelsior Hotel are designed to make a stay an experience, offering more than just a typical New York hotel room. While specific categories are not detailed, the inspiration behind them aims for comfort and style. Rooms can accommodate up to four persons, with options typically featuring up to two beds. Standard amenities include air conditioning, heating, a sitting area, an in-room safe, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Flat-screen cable televisions, iPod docks, and carpeted floors contribute to a comfortable retreat, with private bathrooms providing bathrobes and complimentary toiletries. Some rooms may feature French doors, adding a touch of charm.

Food and Drink

The Excelsior Hotel's on-site restaurant, Calle Ocho, is a highlight, offering an amazing menu of Latin fusion cuisine for dinner, with a particular reputation for its delicious Cuban fare. On weekends, the restaurant is also a popular spot for brunch. The lounge, which doubles as the breakfast area, shares the lobby's refined style and wood paneling, providing a pleasant setting to start the day.

Value for Money

While specific pricing is not provided, the Excelsior Hotel aims to offer discerning guests an authentic, residence-style experience in a prime Manhattan location. The inclusion of amenities like a fitness center, business facilities, and the convenience of an on-site restaurant, coupled with its advantageous position near museums and Central Park, suggests a value proposition focused on comfort and immersive city living rather than just a place to sleep.

Accessibility

Information regarding specific accessibility features, such as wheelchair access or adapted rooms, is not detailed in the provided information. Guests with specific needs are advised to contact the hotel directly for further assistance.

Family-Friendly

The Excelsior Hotel is particularly well-suited for families. Its location across from the American Museum of Natural History and the Hayden Planetarium makes it an ideal base for exploring kid-friendly museums and escaping the crowds of Times Square. The hotel features a small play area set aside for children, and the rooms' capacity to sleep up to four persons makes them suitable for families. Proximity to Central Park also offers opportunities for outdoor adventures like hiking and biking.

View all

Choose your room

Castle hotels provide room choices such as doubles, family chambers, and grand suites—often with breakfast, free cancellations, and exclusive offers
Superior Junior Suite King Bed
Max:
4 persons
19 m² 
Bed options:
1 King-size bed
Heating
Bathtub
Check Prices
Classic Queen Room
Max:
2 persons
21 m² 
Bed options:
1 King-size bed
Heating
Bathtub
Check Prices
Deluxe Suite Two Double Beds
Max:
4 persons
44 m² 
Bed options:
2 Double beds
Heating
Bathtub
Check Prices
Show all roomsLess

Price and Room Availability Calendar

See current availability and rates for your selected dates

Local transport options

Overview of transport connections

City Centre
New York 8.3 km
Airports
LaGuardia (LGA) 14.8 km
Teterboro (TEB) 22.1 km
Train
Grand Central Station 3.4 km
Underground
81st Street - Museum of Natural History IND Eighth Avenue Line300 m
Bus
Bus stop100 m

Facilities

Each castle hotel provides features designed for both comfort and memorable moments

General

  • Non-smoking property
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Parking
  • Safe deposit box
  • 24-hour reception
  • Pets allowed
  • Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
  • ATM/Cash machine
  • Sundry/Convenience shop
  • Gift/Newsstand

Sports & Fitness

  • Fitness centre

Services

  • Paid shuttle service
  • Laundry

Dining

  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area

Business

  • Business centre

Children

  • Cots
  • Children's play area

Room features

  • Free Wi-Fi in rooms
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • In-room safe
  • Sitting area
  • Ironing facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Media

  • Flat-screen TV
  • Cable/ Satellite television
  • AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

  • Carpeted floor
Show more

Location

45 West 81St Street, New York, New York, United States, 10024
Map view
45 West 81St Street, New York, New York, United States, 10024
Nearby
Museum
American Museum of Natural History
360 m
Museum
Children's Museum Of Manhattan
570 m
Planetarium
Hayden Planetarium
350 m
American Museum of Natural History
Rose Center for Earth and Space
590 m
Restaurants
Starbucks
100 m
267-275 Columbus Ave
Levain Bakery
920 m
167 W 74th St At Amsterdam Avenue
Andy's Deli
140 m
418 Columbus Ave
Lenwich
170 m
459 Columbus Ave
Famous Original Ray's Pizza
180 m
462 Columbus Ave
Shake Shack
410 m
366 Columbus Ave
Columbus Deli and Food
220 m
476 Columbus Ave
Primo Pizza 84
350 m
57 W 84th St
Joe Coffee Company
410 m
514 Columbus Ave
Made In New York Pizza
420 m
421 Amsterdam Ave At 80th Street
Interested in unlocking castle hotel early-bird prices?
Unlock limited castle hotel offers today!
Check Rates

Next best alternative

Consider them for your next trip.
Check-in
10Oct2025Select date
Check-out
11Oct2025Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room