Travel test

WHAT: YOTEL New York Times Square hotel. From £132 a night. yotel.com

WHeRe: 10th Avenue and West 42nd Street, New York City. A 10-15 minute walk from Times Square or the High Line. eXpeRIeNCe: I’d stayed here 11 years ago when it opened and have fond memories.

You still get the fun check in on a tablet in the Starship Enterprisestyle ground floor lobby, but sadly the Yobot (robot) porter was being repaired.

I zipped up the lifts to the 4th floor where all the action is, changed to the guest rooms lift and on to a 27th floor Queen Corner room where all muchneeded inaction was; briefly enjoying the fab view of the Hudson River and collapsing on the gloriously comfortable bed for a power nap.

Back in the game, I headed back to the 4th floor and the superb Social Drink and Food outdoor terrace - this is the star of the Yo-show and a great place for an al fresco glass of chilled rose on a broiling Big Apple evening.

Jetlag and heat finally winning the argument, I headed back to the room (much larger than the standard cabins, but they are completely fine) to take advantage of a/c bliss and a plethora of power points to charge my phones and laptop and enjoy some live sport on the huge TV.

The room also had a loo and an excellent rainfall shower with nice Urban Jungle amenities, hanging space for clothes, a safe and a desk. There’s free turbocharged wi-fi and funky mood lighting in almost any colour you like. I conked out to a particularly groovy green.

Next morning I grabbed breakfast at the 4th floor Komyuniti - a blueberry and strawberry yoghurt parfait, which was one of the best I’ve ever had, and a pain au chocolat which was not far behind.

QUIBBleS: the property is 11 years old and it shows; some areas do look in need of a decent refresh.

VeRdICT: still a fun place to stay in a terrific location with a nice roof bar and Times Square, the High Line and Hell’s Kitchen in easy reach. 8.5/10