Honestly, if you've spent any time scouring Midtown for a place to crash that isn't a shoebox, you know the struggle. It's either a $900-a-night "luxury" closet or a loud, neon-soaked tourist trap near Times Square. That’s why The Tuscany St Giles Hotel NYC—or more formally, The Tuscany - A St Giles Signature Hotel—is such a weirdly perfect find. Tucked away on East 39th Street in Murray Hill, it’s basically the hotel version of that one friend who’s effortlessly cool but doesn't brag about it.
It doesn't scream for your attention.
You’ll find it between Park and Lexington Avenues, standing 17 stories tall in a neighborhood that feels more like "real New York" than the surrounding concrete jungle. It’s got history, too. Built in 1928, it started life as a residential building. Marilyn Monroe even had a permanent spot here once. Imagine that. The rooms were designed for living, not just sleeping, and you can still feel that DNA today.
What Most People Get Wrong About The Tuscany St Giles Hotel NYC
People see "Midtown" and think chaos. They expect sirens and thousands of people with selfie sticks right outside the lobby door. But Murray Hill is different. It’s a tree-lined pocket of sanity. Staying at The Tuscany St Giles Hotel NYC means you’re four minutes from Grand Central Terminal on foot, but the street itself is surprisingly hushed.
Space is the big one here.
In a city where the average room is about 200 square feet, the "studios" at The Tuscany start at 325. Some of the lofts are even bigger. If you’re used to the claustrophobia of typical Manhattan hotels, walking into a room here feels like a literal deep breath. They use hardwood floors in the entries and have these massive windows that actually let the light in. No dingy alley views unless you're really unlucky.
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The Famous Firsts You Probably Didn't Know
History nerds love this place for a reason. Back in the day, the Tuscany was the first hotel in New York to put a telephone in every bathroom.
Why? Who knows. Maybe people were really into long-distance chatting while soaking in 1950.
More impressively, it was supposedly the first hotel in the world to equip every room with a color TV. It’s always been a bit ahead of the curve, even if it feels like a classic boutique spot now. Today, that "innovation" looks like 46-inch flat screens and decent Wi-Fi that doesn't drop the second you try to load a map.
The Room Situation: Loft Suites and Empire State Views
Let’s talk about the Penthouse for a second because it’s ridiculous in the best way. It’s 1,400 square feet. In Manhattan, that’s basically a mansion. It has a wraparound terrace that gives you a 360-degree look at the skyline. You can see the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building without even getting out of bed.
The standard rooms aren't exactly "standard" either.
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- The Haven Rooms: Simple, clean, but they’ve got these hand-picked minibars and custom art.
- The Lofts: These are the ones you want if you’re staying more than two nights. They have separate living areas, so you don't feel like you're eating dinner on your bed.
- Corner Studios: Natural light galore. Since the building isn't boxed in by skyscrapers on all sides, the corner rooms catch the sun beautifully.
The bathrooms are another high point. We’re talking glass-enclosed showers with rainforest heads and designer toiletries. It’s the kind of bathroom where you actually want to spend time, rather than just brushing your teeth and fleeing.
Living Like a Local (The Murray Hill Advantage)
Staying at The Tuscany St Giles Hotel NYC puts you in a prime spot for food that isn't overpriced garbage.
You’ve got Ess-a-Bagel a few blocks away. If you haven't stood in that line for a hand-rolled bagel with lox, have you even been to New York? Then there’s Grand Central Oyster Bar just down the street. It’s iconic for a reason. If you want something more "vibe-heavy," Sushi Roxx is right there, offering this weird, fun dinner-theater cabaret thing that shouldn't work but somehow does.
The hotel also sits near The Morgan Library & Museum. It’s one of those spots most tourists skip because they’re busy at the MoMA, but the library looks like something out of a movie. Rare manuscripts, massive bookshelves—it's incredibly peaceful.
Reality Check: The Logistics
Honestly, no hotel is perfect. The Tuscany doesn't have a massive sprawling lobby with five bars. It’s a boutique. It’s intimate. If you want a 500-person convention hall, you go to the Marriott. Here, you get a 24-hour fitness center that’s actually well-equipped and a staff that usually knows your name by day two.
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Parking is typical NYC—expensive. It'll run you about $60 a night. If you’re driving into the city, maybe reconsider. The subway is right there at Grand Central, and it's a way better way to get around.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
If you’re planning a trip, keep these things in mind to get the best experience:
- Request a High Floor: If you want that Empire State view, you need to be up high. The street level is quiet for NYC, but the views only get better the higher you go.
- Check the Sister Property: Their sister hotel, The Court, is literally 30 feet away. Sometimes they share amenities or meeting spaces, so it’s worth knowing what’s happening at both.
- Walk to Bryant Park: It’s a six-minute walk. In the winter, there’s ice skating; in the summer, there are movies on the lawn. It’s the best "backyard" you could ask for.
- The Pet Policy: They are pet-friendly, but call ahead. There are usually size limits, and you don’t want to show up with a Great Dane and get a "no."
The Tuscany St Giles Hotel NYC stays relevant because it doesn't try too hard to be trendy. It relies on massive rooms, a killer location, and a sense of history that new glass-and-steel hotels just can't replicate. It’s a solid, stylish home base for anyone who wants to be in the middle of everything without feeling like they’re trapped in the middle of everything.
Book a loft on a high floor, grab a bagel from around the corner, and enjoy the fact that you have more floor space than most New York apartments. It's a rare win in a crowded city.