he way I choose a hotel changes depending on how I am traveling.

When I travel with my family, space matters. Comfort matters. The property itself can become part of the experience.

When I am traveling alone for business, my priorities are different. Give me somewhere clean, comfortable, fairly priced and close to where I need to be.

During my latest Manhattan visit, that led me to Motto by Hilton, roughly 500 feet from Times Square.

The room?

I’m going to call it a micro room.

It was compact. Very compact. But it had everything I needed.

The property was clean and comfortable, and the location made it particularly useful for the way I like to experience Manhattan.

I walk

Whenever possible, I would rather leave the hotel and experience the city on foot. Walking gives me an opportunity to understand the neighborhoods, notice businesses, photograph street scenes and experience some of the energy that makes Manhattan fascinating.

From Motto, I could step outside and immediately be in the middle of it. Times Square was only moments away. Restaurants, businesses, people and transportation were all around me.

I wasn’t paying for a large room I wasn’t going to use. I was paying for access to Manhattan.

That distinction matters.

Would I necessarily choose the same room for a family vacation? Probably not. For a solo business trip where much of my day would be spent walking, meeting people, attending events and experiencing the city?

Absolutely. Sometimes luxury is having more space. Sometimes it is walking out the front door and being exactly where you want to be.

HL | PHOTO JOURNAL

500 Feet From Times Square