Staying at the Casablanca Hotel in New York City

If you’ve ever stayed at any of the Library Hotel Collection’s properties you probably know what I’m going to rave about after my recent stay at the Casablanca Hotel in Manhattan. The service! After staying at the Library Hotel and the Hotel Elysee I should’ve been prepared for the top notch service but I was still taken aback when I arrived around 10:30am and was offered breakfast while I waited for my room to be ready. Stellar.

I knew I was too early to properly check in but I just wanted to drop my bags and grab a bite to eat nearby before heading to Yankee Stadium to see my Blue Jays take on the Yankees. Instead, I got to take advantage of the continental breakfast in Rick’s Cafe and fuel myself up with fruit, yogurt, a bagel, and coffee before the ballgame.

These lounges are one of the things that set the Library Hotel Collection’s properties apart. At the Casablanca, breakfast is served daily, and you can even bring a friend to join you, compliments of the hotel. Very thoughtful. And if you get a craving any other time of day you can help yourself to tea, coffee, and some sweet snacks 24/7. There’s even a nightly wine & cheese reception from 5pm-8pm. And again, you can bring a guest to join you. You’re not getting that at an AirBnB are you?

While I was enjoying my pre-check-in breakfast I witnessed a group of guests leaving and they’d had such a wonderful stay that they sought out the staff to thank them, say goodbye, and give them hugs. I saw a similar scene play out the next day as well. If you want a memorable stay in New York, you need to look up the Casablanca Hotel.

I love how the hotel very obviously has a theme but doesn’t go overboard. There are hints and nods to Morocco, like dark wood shutters and beautiful tilework, but they never hit you over the head with it. Everything is very tastefully designed.

And can we talk about the rooms for a hot second? After pounding the streets of New York all day I loved coming back to my room and changing into a robe and slippers and sinking into that uber comfortable bed. I seriously had the best sleep that night. Another thoughtful touch were the complimentary bottles of water. Very much appreciated after walking 12km around the city.

The Casablanca Hotel is located right in the heart of Times Square which may give return visitors a reason to hesitate – I’m not a lover of Times Square – but the location actually turned out to be great. So close for Broadway shows, lots of subway lines nearby, and surprisingly, the rooms were super quiet so a parade could’ve been going by and it wouldn’t have woke me. So different from my very first visit to New York a decade ago when it took me a few days to get used to the constant traffic noise even with my hotel room windows closed. The silence at the Casablanca was blissful. But if you need a little extra help getting to sleep they have a whole menu of options like ear plugs, white noise machines, and extra foam toppers you can use. They do everything but come in and sing you lullabies to ensure you get a good night’s sleep.

So if you want to stay in the heart of the action but still sleep like a baby and feel completely taken care of and pampered, you need to book yourself in to the Casablanca Hotel. You won’t be disappointed.

Note: I stayed at the Casablanca Hotel while I was in New York as part of their Writers-In-Residence program. They didn’t ask that I write a favourable review or that I get ridiculously excited about slippers.