approximately 1.5 hours from NYC, so we visit often, both for day trips and overnight stays. This was our first stay downtown (we generally stay in midtown) and we really enjoyed the area because it felt more livable and less touristy. The hotel is located a block from Canal Street and fairly close to the Holland Tunnel. The hotel offers valet parking, although there wasn’t anyone stationed at the door to whisk your car away; it would be necessary to park at the curb and come into the hotel to summon someone to park your car. (I think the price for valet was $65 per day, with no in/out privileges.) There are many nearby parking lots and garages with both covered and uncovered parking, some of which are even open on the weekends (many are weekday only) for half that price. There is some very, very limited on-street parking available, which appeared to be allowed only on weekends or evenings but was free. Traffic in front of the hotel was thick at times, but we didn’t hear the noise from our room, even though we had a corner overlooking the car-filled street.
The lobby is somewhat small, but features a little grouping of furniture near a gas fireplace. The
lobby has an ATM machine, a pantry area where you can purchase drinks and snacks to enjoy in your room, and a small bar area that serves complimentary coffee in the morning (until noon, actually) and cookies in the evening. The AOA Grill is adjacent to the hotel and provides room service in the afternoon and evening. The basement has a business center and fitness center, although I didn’t investigate either one.
The rooms are typical HGI style with a refreshment center containing a mini-refrigerator and microwave, desk and ergonomic chair, chair/ottoman, and king-size bed. The king room was large enough (especially for NYC), but would be crowded if it contained two double beds instead. The room had no safe (although the hotel directory says that they can store things for you), and (not surprisingly) no slippers or bathrobes were provided. The bathroom was a nice size, as was the closet (which contained the iron and ironing board). Tiny Bath and Body Works toiletries were provided, and a hairdryer was attached to the wall. The furnishings seemed up-to-date with duvets and flat-screen TVs. The air-conditioning worked really well, even on the sweltering night that we visited. The location was great – there are lots of shops (both trinkets and high-end), delis, bars, cafes, and restaurants nearby. The blue line subway station is right outside the door to the hotel (I think it runs trains A, C, and E), so that method of transportation couldn’t be more convenient. Wi-Fi is free for HHonors members with Gold or Diamond status; I’m not sure of the cost for regular guests. The front desk can store luggage if you arrive early or stay late. The hotel has a little bench around the corner from the main entrance for smokers, and the perimeter of the building is decorated with colorful flowering planters.
We would gladly stay here again!
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