It is amazing how quickly hotels and attractions in Las Vegas can become old hat: When the New York-New York opened in 1997, it was considered one of the most important sights with its roller coaster - but ten years later, the great glamour had largely faded. The façade looked too artificial, the interior not pompous enough.
No wonder, then, that after the first renovation in 2006, the operators have once again spent countless millions of dollars to make the hotel complex's surroundings worth seeing again. With success...
The New York-New York
But first things first: The New York-New York, built during the construction boom of the 90s, stands in a quite central location directly on the Strip. On the opposite side of the street you find the MGM Grand, while to the north you come across the MGM Park, previously called the Monte Carlo.
Of course, the most striking thing at first glance is the façade of the complex, which is modelled on the Manhattan skyline. The street is also home to a replica of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty, which look like plastic by day - like so much of the city - but make a great picture at night with the right lighting.
The same goes for the hotel's rather lovingly designed interior, which manages to inspire with "streets" in the style of the big city on the East Coast.
New pedestrian zone
In the course of the aforementioned extensive renovation work from 2015 to 2018, the area between the hotel and the Strip in particular was changed enormously and space was created in the process: While you have to squeeze over narrow pavements at many other corners, here you have a lot of space to visit the now beautifully designed shops and snack bars.
The biggest highlight, however, is "The Park", located in the side street between New York-New York and MGM Park: On the way to the new T-Mobile Arena, where among others an NHL ice hockey team plays, you can forget the noise and the stresses of the Strip for a moment between small green spaces and fountains. Very nice!
Big Apple Coaster
Another highlight is the roller coaster, once called The Roller Coaster and now called the Big Apple Coaster, which goes around the imitated Manhattan skyline.
On the barely two-minute ride, you gain some nice views of the surrounding area, which you actually have time for on the almost one-minute first ascent. Every now and then, guests are offered combination tickets that include accommodation and a ride on the roller coaster; normally, a ride costs $15 per person.
Those who have had enough of the real world can upgrade the ride to a virtual reality experience for $20, i.e. ride the roller coaster with VR glasses and chase aliens in the virtual worlds.
The Big Apple Coaster usually operates from 11am to 11pm on weekdays, and runs from 10:30am to midnight on weekends.
Shows & Attractions
In addition, New York-New York is home to one of Cirque du Soleil's (quite numerous) shows: Zumanity, probably the most exciting show in town next to Kà and O. Tickets start at around $70 per person.
Apart from that, the attractions are limited; it is mainly the façade and the street replicas inside that are supposed to attract visitors. Possibly worth a look is Hershey's Chocolate World, which is similar to M&M's World, which can be found almost directly opposite.
Rooms & Pools
Despite renovation, the New York-New York is one of the cheaper, well-located hotels on the Strip: for often around 100 euros a night (including resort fee), you can stay here very well - on a par with Paris, MGM Park and MGM Grand.
The rooms are quite classically furnished and, as usual for the city, extremely spacious - this is where the hotel clearly differs from its role model. In addition to the regular rooms, the Park Avenue rooms with a view, which are often not much more expensive, are worth considering. Families with two children who are not too big can also stay here.
The (few) suites on offer are also surprisingly affordable; the 65-square-metre Players Suite, for example, can be had for around 200 euros a night at best. As always, it gets much more expensive in the high season, on weekends and around events!
The only disappointment is the small pool, which looks rather uninspired and offers few shady spots. Unfortunately, this is not untypical for Las Vegas. All in all, a good choice!
New York-New York Hotel at a glance
Very good location, quite central on the Strip
Beautifully designed, great scenery at night
Exciting roller coaster around the facade
Good upper-middle class accommodation
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Recommended hotels in Las Vegas
Luxor, cheap but nice and good, just a bit out of the way
The Linq, cheapest, good hotel in the centre
The Mirage, very nice classic, a "landmark
Paris, upmarket, but quite cheap and very central
Bellagio, a touch of luxury at often relatively fair prices
Wynn, best choice, if it may be a little more expensive
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