You’re walking down 44th Street in Manhattan, just steps away from the neon hum of Times Square, looking for a sign that says "Fitzgerald." You’ve seen the name in old registers or perhaps on a vintage postcard tucked away in a Chelsea flea market. But here’s the thing: you won't find a check-in desk under that name today.
The Fitzgerald Hotel New York isn't a ghost, but it’s definitely a shapeshifter.
In a city where real estate is basically a high-stakes game of Tetris, buildings don't die; they just get rebranded, renovated, and reborn. Most people looking for this specific spot are actually tracing the lineage of what is now the Casablanca Hotel by Library Hotel Collection. It’s situated at 147 West 43rd Street, right in the thick of the Theater District. If you're hunting for the "Fitzgerald" specifically, you’re usually looking at a piece of New York history that has transitioned into one of the most highly-rated boutique stays in the city.
It’s confusing. New York is like that.
The Identity Crisis of 147 West 43rd Street
Why does the name persist? Mostly because of the bones of the building. The structure that many associate with the Fitzgerald name has occupied a prime slice of Midtown for decades. Back in the day, these hotels weren't the glass-and-steel giants we see now. They were narrow, brick-faced sanctuaries for actors, writers, and travelers who wanted to be near the "Great White Way" without paying Waldorf Astoria prices.
The Casablanca Hotel—the current resident of the soul of the Fitzgerald—is a mini-masterpiece of Moroccan-inspired decor. It’s tiny. Intimate. It feels like something out of a 1940s film set, which is fitting given its proximity to Broadway.
Honestly, the transition from the old-school Fitzgerald era to the Casablanca era represents a massive shift in how New York does hospitality. We moved away from the "no-frills" boarding house style toward the hyper-curated "experience" hotels. When people search for the Fitzgerald Hotel New York, they are often stumbling upon old travel guides or archival records of a city that was a bit grittier and a lot cheaper.
Location is Everything
If you’re standing at the crossroads of 43rd and Broadway, you’re basically at the center of the world. Or at least the center of the tourist world. The "Fitzgerald" location puts you:
- Two minutes from the Times Square-42nd St subway hub.
- Directly adjacent to the Town Hall theater.
- Within a five-minute walk of the Knickerbocker and the Bryant Park greenspace.
It’s loud. It’s crowded. You’ll hear sirens. You will definitely be bumped into by a guy in a giant Elmo suit. But that is the trade-off for being in the heart of the beast.
What Most People Get Wrong About Mid-Range Midtown Hotels
There's this weird myth that if you aren't staying at the Ritz or the St. Regis, you're going to end up in a shoebox with peeling wallpaper. That’s a carryover from the 1970s and 80s version of the Fitzgerald Hotel New York era.
Today? The standards have skyrocketed.
Because the footprint of these historic buildings is so small, they can't compete on "grandeur." They have to compete on "vibe." This is why the Casablanca (the Fitzgerald’s spiritual successor) consistently ranks near the top of TripAdvisor. They offer things the giant Marriotts don't—like a Rick’s Café lounge where you can get free wine and cheese in the evenings.
Wait. Free wine? In Manhattan?
Yeah. That’s how these smaller spots survive. They lean into the "club" feel. You aren't just guest #402; you're part of a small group of people who knew to book the narrow building between the souvenir shops.
The "Boutique" Label is Often a Lie
Let's be real. A lot of hotels in New York call themselves "boutique" just because they have funky light fixtures and a high price tag. A true boutique hotel, like the ones that replaced the old-school Fitzgerald style, should have under 100 rooms.
The Casablanca has about 48.
That means the staff actually knows your name. It means the elevator isn't a 15-minute wait every morning. If you’re looking for the Fitzgerald Hotel New York because you want that "old New York" intimacy, you have to look for these specific room counts. Anything over 150 rooms and you’ve lost the plot. You’re just in a factory at that point.
Why the History of These Buildings Matters
You can’t talk about the Fitzgerald without talking about the "Hotel Record." In the early 20th century, these places were the heartbeat of the jazz age and the theater boom. F. Scott Fitzgerald himself—the man, not the hotel—famously stayed at the Plaza, but the hotels that took his name or shared his era were where the real work happened.
These were the places where playwrights punched up scripts on Typewriters while drinking lukewarm coffee.
When you stay in a renovated historic hotel in Midtown, you're sleeping in a room that has likely seen a thousand opening nights and just as many closing-night parties. The walls are thick. The windows are often smaller than modern ones, designed to keep the heat in during those brutal 1920s winters before central HVAC was a standard luxury.
Comparing the "Then" and "Now"
The old Fitzgerald was a place of utility. You had a bed, a lamp, and a shared bathroom down the hall if you were unlucky. The modern equivalent—whether it’s the Casablanca, the Library Hotel, or the Hotel Elysée—is about luxury as a shield against the city's chaos.
Think about it.
Manhattan is an assault on the senses. You have the smell of roasted nuts and bus exhaust. You have the constant flickering of LED billboards. A hotel in this neighborhood today serves as a decompression chamber. That’s why you see so much heavy velvet, dark wood, and soft lighting in these renovations. They are trying to undo the damage of a day spent in Times Square.
Navigating the Neighborhood
If you find yourself staying at 147 West 43rd, don't eat at the chain restaurants. Please. I'm begging you. You are in one of the most diverse food cities on the planet.
- Walk three blocks west to Ninth Avenue. This is "Hell’s Kitchen."
- Look for the tiny Thai spots or the Italian places where the tables are so close you’re basically on a double date with strangers.
- Grab a bagel at Best Bagel & Coffee on 35th if you’re up for a walk, or just hit a street cart for a pretzel—just make sure it’s hot.
The Reality of "The Fitzgerald" Searches
Often, people searching for the Fitzgerald Hotel New York are actually looking for the Fitzpatrick Hotels. There are two of those: the Fitzpatrick Manhattan on Lexington and the Fitzpatrick Grand Central.
They are Irish-owned, very posh, and very "Old World."
If you’re looking for a "Fitz" hotel and you want that classic, upscale, almost presidential vibe, the Fitzpatrick is likely what you’re after. It’s a favorite for Irish diplomats and celebrities who want to disappear into a high-backed leather chair with a proper pint of Guinness.
This is the classic New York mix-up. One name, three different possibilities, and all of them tucked into different corners of the island.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you’re planning to book a stay in this specific "historic Midtown" category, here is how you do it without getting ripped off or disappointed.
Check the Room Size in Square Feet
New York "standard" rooms can be as small as 150 square feet. That’s basically a walk-in closet with a mattress. If you are two people with three suitcases, you will fight. Look for rooms at least 250 square feet or larger if you value your sanity.
Ask About the "Resort Fee"
They call them "facility fees" or "amenity fees" now. It’s a sneaky way to add $30-$50 to your nightly bill. At places like the Casablanca, this usually covers the wine, cheese, and breakfast. At a big chain, it might just cover "high-speed internet." Always ask what you’re getting for that extra cash.
Look at the Windows
If the hotel is historic, ask if the windows have been soundproofed. Midtown never sleeps. The garbage trucks come at 3:00 AM. If you don't have double-paned glass, you are going to hear every "Hey, I'm walkin' here!" shouted on the street below.
Leverage the Concierge
The staff at these smaller, historic-leaning hotels are usually career hospitality pros. They aren't college kids working a summer job. They know which Broadway shows are actually worth the $200 and which ones are tourist traps. Talk to them.
Book Directly
While Expedia and Booking.com are easy, calling the hotel or using their direct site often gets you the "quiet" room or a free upgrade if they have the inventory. Small hotels hate paying the 15% commission to big booking sites and will often reward you for skipping the middleman.
The Fitzgerald Hotel New York may have evolved into something new, but the spirit of that 43rd Street corridor remains. Whether you're chasing the literary ghost of the past or just looking for a cozy place to crash after a Broadway show, understanding the layers of New York's hotel history ensures you don't end up lost in the shuffle. Skip the mega-hotels. Find the brick buildings with the heavy doors. That’s where the real city is hiding.