A 42-story Art Deco landmark that opened in 1930, the New Yorker Hotel is perhaps best known as the final residence of inventor Nikola Tesla, who lived and died in room 3327 on the 33rd floor. This review separates verified history from modern ghost lore and guest-review narratives, drawing on the hotel’s official site, historical societies, and booking data (official site). You will find clear pricing, documented facts about Tesla’s residency, a realistic look at its haunted reputation, and guidance for booking a stay today.

Last checked: 2026-07-01

Hotel Name: New Yorker by Lotte Hotels (formerly The New Yorker Hotel) ·
Address: 481 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10001 ·
Nearest Transit: Penn Station (531 ft away) ·
Price Range: €184–€502 per night

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-07-01.

Sources reviewed: official property website (newyorkerhotel.com), neutral review platform (TripAdvisor), booking site (Booking.com), encyclopedia (Wikipedia), New York Times, Nikola Tesla Network, Tesla Memorial Society, Untapped New York.

We conducted no on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification beyond the listed booking and review sites. Prices and review counts reflect data current as of 2026.

Hotel snapshot

1
Art Deco landmark opened 1930
  • Designed by Sugarman & Berger as a 42–43 story skyscraper (Wikipedia)

2
Nikola Tesla died here in 1943

3
Owned by the Unification Church since 1976
  • The New York Times confirmed the church as the sole owner (New York Times)

4
Steps from Penn Station & Times Square
  • Address: 481 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10001; Penn Station is 531 ft away (Location page)

Key facts at a glance

Hotel Name New Yorker by Lotte Hotels (formerly The New Yorker Hotel)
Address 481 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10001
Nearest Transit Penn Station (531 ft away)
Price Range €184–€502 per night
Year Opened 1930
Architectural Style Art Deco
Floor Count 42–43 stories above ground
Current Operator LOTTE Hotels (under ownership of the Unification Church)
Distance to Times Square Less than 0.6 mi (approx. 10 min walk)
Popularity One of the most reviewed hotels in New York City with over 2,000 reviews on TripAdvisor (2026)

Why is The New Yorker Hotel famous?

Nikola Tesla and Room 3327

Nikola Tesla, the inventor who pioneered alternating current and radio, moved into the New Yorker Hotel in 1933 and remained there for the final decade of his life. He occupied rooms 3327 and 3328 on the 33rd floor — 3327 was his bedroom, 3328 his study (Tesla Memorial Society of New York).

Tesla died in room 3327 on January 7, 1943 at age 86 (Nikola Tesla Network). The Tesla Memorial Society installed a commemorative plaque outside the room, and a photograph from July 15, 1942 shows Tesla hosting King Peter II of Yugoslavia there. The hotel’s official blog describes Tesla’s yearly birthday press conferences in the hotel’s ballrooms, where he would meet reporters and discuss his work.

Context: Room 3327 remains a standard bookable hotel room — it is not a museum, but many guests request it specifically for the Tesla association. The plaque outside the door is the primary visible marker.

Art-Deco architecture and historical significance

The New Yorker Hotel opened on January 2, 1930 as one of the largest hotels in the city, designed in the Art Deco style by the firm Sugarman & Berger. It originally featured its own power plant — an amenity that likely appealed to technical-minded guests like Tesla. Early NBC radio broadcasts originated from the hotel, and its proximity to Penn Station (connected historically by an underground tunnel, roughly 200 feet below) made it a transportation-oriented property.

The hotel has hosted a broad range of notable figures: the Brooklyn Dodgers, Muhammad Ali, Barack Obama Sr., and Hillary Clinton are all listed as former guests on the official site. In 2024, the New York Times reported that a man named Mickey Barreto attempted to fraudulently claim ownership of the hotel via a falsified deed, though the Unification Church has been the sole legal owner since 1976.

Correction note: The hotel experienced periods of decline and was partly converted to other uses before fully reopening as a hotel in 1994. It now operates under the brand “New Yorker by LOTTE Hotels.”

Haunted reputation

Online ghost-tour narratives and paranormal forums frequently cite the New Yorker Hotel as one of New York City’s most haunted properties, often linking the stories to Tesla’s restless spirit. A Reddit post in r/ParanormalEncounters describes a guest’s visit to the exterior of Tesla’s former rooms and discusses unexplained encounters.

Unlike the Hotel Chelsea, which appears in mainstream ghost-tour literature, the New Yorker’s haunted reputation is driven primarily by anecdotal accounts on social media and paranormal community blogs. No police reports, hotel incident logs, or major investigative articles in the available dataset corroborate specific paranormal events at the property. The hotel’s management has not issued a formal statement about ghost tours or Tesla-related paranormal tourism.

The bottom line: The haunted reputation is real in terms of cultural traction — it shows up frequently in search results and travel forums — but it rests on weak evidentiary ground. Visitors intrigued by ghost stories should treat the lore as entertainment rather than documented fact.

The bottom line: The bottom line: The haunted reputation is real in terms of cultural traction — it shows up frequently in search results and travel forums — but it rests on weak evidentiary ground. Visitors intrigued by ghost stories should treat the lore as entertainment rather than documented fact.

Is The New Yorker a good hotel to stay in?

Guest reviews and ratings

As of early 2026, TripAdvisor lists the New Yorker by Lotte Hotels as one of the most-reviewed hotels in New York City, with over 2,000 reviews and a mix of ratings. Guest feedback is polarized: many praise the location and historic charm, while others complain about elevator wait times, small room sizes, and occasional cleanliness issues.

Reviewers generally describe the rooms as functional but not luxurious, with noise from the busy Midtown intersection a common complaint. Two reviewers specifically noted that rooms on higher floors are quieter. Generalization from these reviews requires caution: the sample includes a wide range of experiences that may vary by room type, floor, and season.

Amenities and services

The hotel offers 24-hour dining options, a fitness center, and event spaces suitable for meetings and conferences. Room types range from standard doubles to suites. The property does not have a pool or a full-service spa, which is common for Midtown hotels built in the early 20th century. The hotel’s official site emphasizes its proximity to Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall as a key advantage for travelers arriving by rail.

Location advantages

The New Yorker sits at the corner of Eighth Avenue and West 34th Street, placing it within a 10-minute walk of Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Madison Square Garden. Penn Station is 531 feet from the front door, making it one of the most transit-accessible hotels in Manhattan. For visitors prioritizing walkability and public transport over boutique luxury, the location is a major asset.

Bottom line: The trade-off: The same location that makes the hotel convenient also generates noise. Guests on lower floors and those facing Eighth Avenue consistently report more street sounds. Rooms on the 30th floor and above tend to be quieter.

Can you stay in room 3327 at The New Yorker Hotel?

Current status of room 3327

Room 3327 is a standard, bookable hotel room — it remains in active use as part of the hotel’s regular inventory. It is not a museum or a restricted area. The room has likely undergone renovations since Tesla’s time, though specific renovation dates for rooms 3327 and 3328 are not publicly documented in the sources reviewed.

Tesla’s connection and the plaque

A commemorative plaque erected by the Tesla Memorial Society marks the room’s historical significance. The plaque notes Tesla’s residence from 1933 to 1943 and his death in the room on January 7, 1943. The Tesla Memorial Society also documented that Tesla kept a safe in room 3327 where he stored his scientific papers, which were reported missing shortly after his death.

How to request the room

Guests who want to stay in room 3327 can request it through the hotel’s standard booking process. It appears that the room is often booked in advance by Tesla enthusiasts, especially around January 7 (the anniversary of Tesla’s death) and July 10 (Tesla Day). The hotel does not officially market the room as a historical attraction, but front-desk staff are typically aware of the Tesla connection.

Why this matters: Room 3327 offers a genuinely close connection to a major figure in science and engineering history. For travelers who care about that, it is probably the most affordable historically significant room in New York City that remains a working hotel room. If you’re interested in learning more about how to improve your website’s visibility, you can Comprar enllaços per a SEO.

How much is a room at The New Yorker Hotel?

Price range on major booking sites

Across Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and Expedia, nightly rates for a standard double room range from approximately €184 to €502. The wide range reflects seasonal demand, room category, and booking lead time. Basic rooms in the winter off-season can dip toward the lower end, while summer and holiday weekends drive prices toward the upper range.

Seasonal variations

Peak season in New York City (September–November and April–June) sees higher prices across all Midtown hotels. The New Yorker’s pricing remains competitive within its zone: it often undercuts nearby properties like the Hotel Chelsea or the Marriott Marquis on price per night, while offering comparable proximity to Penn Station and Times Square.

Value compared to other Midtown hotels

At the lower end of the price range (€184–€250), the New Yorker offers a solid value for a full-service hotel in a prime transit location. At the upper end (€400–€502), the value proposition weakens: some guests report that room quality does not align with rates above €400, citing dated furnishings and noise as issues.

Insight: Budget-conscious travelers who are flexible with dates can often find rooms under €250 by booking 3–4 weeks in advance on weeknights outside major holidays. That price point makes the New Yorker one of the more affordable options in the Eighth Avenue corridor.

The catch: The hotel charges a destination/resort fee that may not be included in the listed nightly price. Always check the total at checkout. This fee is common in New York City hotels but can add 10–20% to the base rate.

Hotel spec sheet

Attribute Detail
Full Name New Yorker by Lotte Hotels
Address 481 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10001
Nearest Transit Penn Station (531 ft)
Price Range €184–€502 per night (Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Expedia)
Year Opened 1930
Architectural Style Art Deco
Floor Count 42–43 above ground
Current Operator LOTTE Hotels
Owner Unification Church (since 1976)
Distance to Times Square Less than 0.6 mi (10 min walk)
Room 3327 Status Standard bookable room; plaque by Tesla Memorial Society on site
On-site Dining 24-hour dining available

Location & getting there

The New Yorker Hotel sits at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and West 34th Street, Midtown West. Penn Station is 531 feet from the entrance — the shortest walking distance of any full-service hotel in the neighborhood. Times Square is less than 0.6 miles away, a roughly 10-minute walk north on Eighth Avenue. The Empire State Building is a 12-minute walk east on 34th Street.

The hotel’s official site highlights its position near Moynihan Train Hall, the newly renovated wing of Penn Station, making it a primary choice for Amtrak and NJ Transit travelers entering New York from the Northeast Corridor.

Alternatives to consider

For travelers who decide the New Yorker is not the right fit, three other Midtown hotels offer comparable location profiles with different trade-offs:

  • Hotel Chelsea (222 West 23rd Street): Also famous for its artistic and haunted history, with a similar mix of lore and contemporary guest reviews. Generally priced higher per night.
  • Marriott Marquis (1535 Broadway): Located directly in Times Square. Higher average nightly rate but more consistent room quality and a famous revolving rooftop restaurant.
  • Pod 39 (145 East 39th Street): Budget-friendly micro-hotel with rooftop bar. Much smaller rooms but often under €150 per night. Located in Murray Hill, a 20-minute walk from the New Yorker.

These alternatives are provided as a starting point for comparison. None shares the Tesla connection, but each offers a different balance of price, location, and amenities.

Our pick: Who should stay at The New Yorker Hotel?

Our recommendation: The New Yorker Hotel is best suited for three types of travelers: history enthusiasts who value the Tesla connection and Art Deco architecture; haunted hotel seekers who are curious about paranormal lore (even if the evidence is thin); and budget-conscious travelers who book well in advance to secure sub-€250 rates in a prime Midtown transit location.

For travelers seeking luxury accommodations, quiet rooms, or upscale amenities, the New Yorker is unlikely to satisfy. The hotel’s strengths are location, history, and price — not design, service refinement, or tranquility.

If you fit one of the three reader types described above and you manage your expectations around room quality, the New Yorker offers a genuinely unique combination of history and affordability that few Midtown hotels can match.

Timeline: Key dates in the hotel’s history

Date Event
December 28–29, 1929 Pre-opening ceremony; base bank branch opening
January 2, 1930 Official opening as a 42–43 story Art Deco hotel
1933 Nikola Tesla moves into rooms 3327 and 3328
July 15, 1942 Photograph taken of Tesla with King Peter II of Yugoslavia at the hotel
January 7, 1943 Tesla dies in room 3327 at age 86
1976 Unification Church acquires the hotel
1994 Hotel fully reopens after partial conversion and renovations
2024 New York Times reports on a fraudulent ownership claim by Mickey Barreto; Unification Church confirmed as sole owner
Additional sources

afar.com

Frequently asked questions

Is the New Yorker hotel haunted?

Online ghost-tour narratives and paranormal forums widely describe the hotel as haunted, often linking stories to Nikola Tesla’s spirit. However, no police reports, hotel incident logs, or mainstream investigative articles in the sources reviewed corroborate specific paranormal events. The reputation is driven by anecdotal accounts rather than documented incidents.

What famous people have stayed at The New Yorker Hotel?

The hotel’s official site lists Nikola Tesla, the Brooklyn Dodgers, Muhammad Ali, Barack Obama Sr., and Hillary Clinton among its notable guests. Tesla lived there from 1933 to 1943 and hosted King Peter II of Yugoslavia in his rooms in 1942.

Who owns the New Yorker hotel?

The Unification Church has owned the hotel since 1976. The New York Times confirmed this in a 2024 report covering a fraudulent ownership claim by Mickey Barreto. LOTTE Hotels operates the property under the name “New Yorker by Lotte Hotels.”

What is the address of The New Yorker Hotel by Lotte Hotels?

The address is 481 Eighth Avenue, at the corner of West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001. It is located across the street from Penn Station.

What is the New Yorker Hotel restaurant like?

The hotel offers 24-hour dining options. Guest reviews of the on-site dining are mixed — some praise the convenience, while others find the selection limited compared to nearby restaurants in Midtown. Room service is also available.

How do I check reviews of The New Yorker Hotel?

TripAdvisor hosts over 2,000 reviews of the property (as of 2026) with a mix of ratings. Booking.com also displays verified guest reviews. Both platforms allow filtering by traveler type, room category, and season.

Sources cited