Hotel Review: Henn na Hotel New York

Lobby of Henn na Hotel New York (photo Ron Bernthal)

by Ron Bernthal

Set among traditional Irish bars, Asian eateries, trendy coffee shops, and several historic Garment District dress shops on West 35^th Street in Manhattan, the 92-room Henn na Hotel New York is a new Japanese-owned boutique hotel that is attracting much attention from business travelers, local NYC-suburban residents looking for a weekend get-away, and international tourists seeking a conveniently located, safe, clean, and relatively inexpensive hotel for a week or more in the Big Apple.

The Henn na Hotel New York is owned by Japan’s Henn na Hotel Group which runs 20 Henn na hotels throughout Japan, all located near urban train stations and popular local attractions. According to The Guinness Book of World Records, in 2015 Henn na became the first hotel chain in the world to use robots as part of their staff. The robots, which replaced humans in different hotel positions, like front desk check-in, became a conversation topic for a few years and was somewhat successful in the endeavor. But Henn na hotels eliminated its robotic workforce after the experience failed to reduce costs, or the workload for its very efficient human staff. At the time, the chain’s founder, Hideo Sawada, had expressed his hope that a Henn-na robotic hotel would bring the hospitality industry one step closer to a day when robotic hotels were no longer just novelties, but a way to offer customers more efficient service while counteracting ever increasing room rates.

Over the past several decades there have been several Japanese-inspired hotels, motels, spa’s and traditional ryokan throughout the U.S., some modeled after Japan’s “pod” and “love” hotels, others as expensive resort properties, but it is very difficult for American hotel companies to replicate true Japanese efficiency, service, and atmosphere. After staying at this new Japanese owned property in New York City recently, I was quite impressed with how the hotel’s corporate owner and designers managed to transform the best aspects of Japanese hospitality and design into the confines of a 36 year-old, 18-story building in the middle of Manhattan.

The 35th Street building has been comletely renovated (photo Ron Bernthal)

I chose the hotel because of its convenience to Pennsylvania Station, just five minutes’ walk, and where I was taking an Amtrak train the following morning. I had not been on 35^th Street, between 7^th-8^th Avenues in years, and was surprised by the dozens of trendy new businesses and, several older ones, that were available on just that one block – everything from deli’s, iPhone glass repair, karaoke bars, psychic’s, 99-cents pizza, 2 Starbucks, a few original Garment District fabric wholesale shops from the late 1920’s-early 30’s, and dozens of other establishments that make almost every street in Manhattan a colorful dose of eye-candy and theatre.

The property, which opened in October, 2021, closed for two years (2019-2020) during the height of the pandemic, after taking over the building from Wingate Hotels. The building itself was built in 1985 as a narrow, non-descript office building but today, after a modern silvery entryway was constructed, along with new glass façade, it stands out among the older and worn original Garment District structures.

The T-Rex welcomes guests (photo Ron Bernthal)

Upon entering the hotel, a guest’s attention is immediately drawn to the right of the small lobby, where a glass cage contains a very realistic, six-foot animatronic T-Rex dinosaur, eyes facing the front desk, head moving, sharp teeth bared, and growling quite loud through a speaker system. Except for the hotel’s Japanese guests, it appears that most check-ins, myself included, were not aware that Henn na hotels in Japan are known for welcoming their guests in a similar fashion. A leftover tradition from the chain’s robotic age, it is at first a somewhat heart-stopping surprise, but after a few visits to the lobby the Henn na T-Rex hardly draws a stare. The life-like dinosaur was built in Japan and shipped to New York in time for the hotel’s opening.

The words “Henn na” is loosely translated as “strange” or “evolving” but the robotic dinosaur in the lobby turned out to be the only “strange” (but eye-catching) object in the hotel.

Although guest rooms are on the small side, this is Manhattan after all, the rooms are designed and equipped for both business and leisure travelers. These rooms are built for efficiency and comfort. Using a mobile key to enter the guest room I was immediately impressed by the muted color scheme of beige and brown, the solid blond wood furniture, the small stainless steel fridge with a glass door, the recessed lights behind the double bed, the kimono-style waffle robes and, later, the high-end Kassatex towels and bed linens

King-bed room at the hotel (photo Ron Bernthal)

The designers were able to create a great bathroom that features the famous Toto Washlet® (the stylish Japanese branded smart toilet), as well as C.O. Bigelow bath amenities, it’s a New York city brand, not Japanese, but the lime and coriander scent is memorable. WiFi is available throughout the hotel, including on the streaming TV. An LG Styler Steam Closet is in every guestroom, a unique amenity that steams and refreshes clothing, minimizing the need for dry cleaning. Suites include a deep-soaking tub, small balcony, and a pull-out sofa.

The small bar at Gosuke is perfect for a late afternoon drink (photo Ron Bernthal)

The hotel’s on-site restaurant, Gosuke, occupies space behind the front desk, offering Japanese breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. This quirky little gem, with its industrial-style ceiling, sushi bar, and about 15 tables is run by noted chef Isami Nagai. Gosuke offers sushi and sashimi menus, along with authentic Japanese cuisine, accompanied by a variety of sake and Japanese beers. Chef Nagai has 35 years’ experience overseeing the menus and kitchens in some of the best Japanese restaurants in Tokyo and New York. The Japanese breakfast may include broiled salmon, Japanese omelet, rice and miso soup. American breakfast offered as well. Lunch and dinner menus include soba or udan (noodles); Sukiyaki (sliced beef with vegetables and tofu); Tonkatsu (Japanese style pork cutlet); and Gyoza (pan fried pork dumplings).

In addition to its proximity to Pennsylvania Station and the new Moynihan Train Hall (both connected to Madison Square Garden), Henn na is within walking distance to the Empire State Building, Hudson Yards, High Line Park, Times Square, and the Broadway Theater District.