Walk down 50th Street toward 8th Avenue and you'll hit it. 250 W 50th St NY NY. It’s a massive, looming presence that basically defines the transition between the glitzy chaos of Times Square and the slightly grittier, local vibe of Hell’s Kitchen. Most people know this address as the Ameritania at Times Square.
It’s an interesting spot. Honestly, Midtown Manhattan is littered with hotels that try way too hard to be "boutique" while charging you $500 a night for a room the size of a walk-in closet. This place is different. It’s got that Beaux-Arts exterior—classic New York—but the inside feels like a weird, cool time capsule of late-90s chic mixed with modern minimalism.
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What the Maps Don't Tell You About 250 W 50th St NY NY
Location is everything. People say that. It’s a cliché for a reason. But at 250 W 50th St NY NY, the location is actually a tactical advantage for anyone who hates walking more than five blocks to find a decent meal. You are literally across the street from the Gershwin Theatre. If you’re in town to see Wicked, you could basically roll out of bed and be in your seat in three minutes.
It’s not just about Broadway, though. This specific corner of 50th and 8th is a transit goldmine. The C and E subway lines are right there. You can get to the West Village or the Upper West Side in ten minutes flat. No transfers. No headache.
Most travelers make the mistake of staying right on 42nd Street. Big mistake. Huge. 42nd Street is loud, it’s crowded, and it’s frankly exhausting. By moving up to 50th Street, you get a sliver of breathing room. You’re still in the heart of the beast, but you can actually hear yourself think when you step out of the lobby.
The Architecture is Kinda Special
The building dates back to the early 20th century. You see it in the stonework. High ceilings. Thick walls. That’s the real secret of these older New York buildings: noise dampening. Modern hotels are built with drywall thin enough to hear your neighbor sneeze. At 250 W 50th St NY NY, the "bones" of the building provide a level of quiet that’s increasingly rare in the city.
The interior design, handled years ago by Gulla Jonsdottir, leans heavily into curves and mood lighting. It’s moody. It’s noir. It feels like a place where a private investigator in a 1940s film might grab a stiff drink, even though there’s a flat-screen TV in the corner and high-speed Wi-Fi.
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Survival Tips for the 50th Street Corridor
If you’re staying at or visiting this address, don't eat at the first place you see. The "tourist trap" density here is high. Avoid the generic delis that don't have prices on the menu. Instead, walk one block west to 9th Avenue.
9th Avenue is the soul of Hell’s Kitchen.
- Totto Ramen is nearby on 52nd. It’s legendary.
- Don Antonio for pizza. Real deal Neapolitan.
- Bibble & Sip for cream puffs that will change your life.
The street life around 250 W 50th St NY NY is constant. It never stops. You’ll see Broadway actors grabbing coffee before a matinee. You’ll see stagehands in black hoodies smoking near the stage doors. You’ll see tourists looking lost with giant paper maps—yes, people still use those for some reason.
The Room Situation
Let’s be real. New York hotel rooms are small. If you're expecting a sprawling suite at a mid-range price point, you're going to be disappointed. However, the rooms here are efficiently laid out. They use mirrors and lighting to make the square footage feel more generous than it actually is.
One thing people often overlook: the windows. Because 50th Street is a major cross-town artery, the views from the upper floors give you a fantastic perspective of the "canyon" effect of Manhattan. Looking east, you see the neon glow of the theater district. Looking west, you see the sunset over the Hudson River if you're high enough.
The Reality of Staying in Midtown
Is it perfect? No. Nothing in New York is. 250 W 50th St NY NY is located in a high-traffic area. There will be sirens. There will be people shouting for taxis at 2:00 AM. There will be the smell of roasted nuts and bus exhaust. That’s the tax you pay for being in the center of the world.
But for the traveler who wants to be able to walk to the Top of the Rock, Central Park, and the MoMA without ever needing an Uber, this address is hard to beat. It sits at the intersection of "I'm a tourist and I'm proud of it" and "I actually want to eat good food and see the real city."
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Actionable Advice for Your Visit
- Request a high floor. The street noise drops off significantly once you get above the 6th or 7th floor.
- Use the 50th St Subway Entrance. Don't trek down to 42nd Street Port Authority unless you absolutely have to. The 50th St station (C/E) is much more manageable.
- Check the Broadway schedule. On "Two-Show Days" (usually Wednesday and Saturday), the foot traffic outside 250 W 50th St NY NY triples between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM and again at 7:00 PM. Plan your arrivals and departures around these windows to avoid the sidewalk gridlock.
- Explore the Lobby. Even if you aren't staying there, the bar area is a solid spot to decompress. It’s tucked away just enough to feel like a sanctuary from the 8th Avenue madness.
- Skip the hotel breakfast. You’re in New York. Go to a local bodega, get a bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll, and eat it while walking. That's the authentic 50th Street experience.
The building at 250 W 50th St NY NY serves as a reliable anchor in an ever-changing neighborhood. It’s a bridge between the history of Old New York and the frantic energy of the modern city. Whether you're there for a show, a business meeting, or just to wander the streets, it remains one of the most practical and vibey coordinates in the zip code.