Traveling to Manhattan? Need an airport hotel in La Guardia? There is a common solution, the Hyatt Place Flushing LaGuardia. I recently stayed at this New York Hotel as an alternative to staying in a hotel in Manhattan.

New York hotels come with outrageously high room rates in Manhattan. And if such high room-rates aren’t enough many major New York hotels now adding a rarely disclosed and mandatory “destination fee” to their room rates.

Amenities at New York hotels hardly ever include an indoor swimming pool. Pools are standard amenities in many cities, but not at New York hotels, but I found an exception on my last trip to New York.

As a frequent traveler I didn’t come to New York to swim, but having an indoor lap-pool in a New York hotel was a real treat.

I love an indoor swimming pool in a New York Hotel, and this is something that’s hard to find. Surprisingly, a lap-size and heated indoor pool with a view is available at the Hyatt Place Flushing hotel which is close to La Guardia Airport.

168 well-appointed guestrooms (plenty of outlets to plug in the computer, mobile phone and tablets) and one of the unique rooftop spaces in the city—an expansive outdoor garden, indoor heated pool and restaurant, and lounge with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline for guests to experience the culture of Queens from this New York hotel.

Meetings and events in new, innovative ways are available at the Hyatt Place Flushing/LaGuardia Airport.

The Hyatt Place Flushing hotel in New York has two function rooms that are ideal for small corporate and executive meetings, training classes, group gatherings, wedding guests, social events, or reunions.

For New York Hotel prices, rates at Hyatt Place Flushing are significantly lower compared to other Hyatt New York chain hotels, including Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and staying here versus Manhattan doesn’t take away much from convenience.

NY Subway Line 7 from Main Street Flushing Metro Station takes you right to Grand Central Station, Times Square, and 5th Avenue in the center of Manhattan within 35 minutes. The metro station is about 2 blocks from the Hyatt Place Flushing La Guardia.

A free shuttle between La Guardia Airport and this New York Hotel, Hyatt Place Flushing is operating around the clock.

At the Hyatt Flushing, you find yourself in Chinatown Queens and a lot of interesting and trendy restaurants, bars and shopping are just steps from this New York hotel.

A breakfast at any Hyatt Place is always included, and I love their breakfast skillets. The downturn is that Hyatt Place breakfast finishes at 9:30 am, which may be okay by New York standards, but for resort destinations like Hawaii, it’s difficult to be up that “early.”

What triggered me to cancel my reservation at the Grand Hyatt at Grand Central Station and book the Hyatt Place Flushing instead? The rate is one reason, but what I really didn’t like was the hidden Destination Fee, comparable with Resort Fees at downtown Manhattan hotels, including the likes of the Grand Hyatt which also quietly charges these fees. It’s not that much – about $25 – but what rubs me the wrong way is that this fee is less transparent when room rates are shown. This is not the case at New York hotels outside Manhattan, which opt to disclose everything in plain sight.

The rooms at the Hyatt Place were large, comfortable, and modern, and there was plenty of room, desk space, and plugs to get your computer out for work with a fast Internet connection.

I would have loved to have the comfortable Hyatt Grand beds, but an alternative brand was used at Hyatt Place. I slept well and deep, so nothing to complain about there.

I was surprised to receive a phone call after my stay to thank me for staying at the hotel. The staff was friendly, efficient, and always available. This phone call was followed up with a letter by Elliott Essey, Front Office Manager, Second Assistant General Manager saying:

“It was a pleasure to speak with you today on the phone about your recent stay at our hotel. Your opinion as a World of Hyatt Globalist member is very important to us, and I appreciate you taking time to share your feedback with me.

I’m glad that you enjoyed your stay. Hyatt may have sent you a survey regarding your stay here, and these surveys are very important for our front-desk team. I’d greatly appreciate it if you would be so kind as to share your opinion on the Hyatt survey. If there’s anything that you were less than satisfied with or you need to discuss your stay, please know that you can always reach out to me directly.

Also, please let me know if you think of any special preferences you might have for any future visits. We hope to see you again soon, and as always – thank you for being a World of Hyatt Globalist member.”

I am rethinking now my routine when visiting New York. Flushing, Queens, and the Hyatt Place Flushing La Guardia Hotel in New York are definitely good options.