I stayed here this past weekend for AfroPunk. I'll make this easy for me by listing the pros and cons and elaborating in detail where important. Reference photos attached.
PROS:
1. Location (super convenient)- I see a lot of negatives comments of the location but it was cool to me because if you ever wanted to be around everything and I mean EVERYTHING, then the location is solid. Within 2 minutes, up the block and around the corner you have a currency exchange, Walgreens, tons of fast food (Popeyes, Chipotle Burger King etc.), Starbucks, train access and so much more. Because of the the area is congested af at all times but I prefer it no other way.
2. Bathroom Water Pressure & Temp- more times than not when I've traveled anywhere, bathroom water pressure was low and temperature was barley warm to cold. Not here- showering was comfortable, the water gets hot and the pressure is consistent.
3. Hotel & Room stuff- Nice and ample lighting in the room. Bed is comfortable with clean bedding. Loft-style room, which is cute. This hotel has the best window covering. The roller shade blocks out light completely, if that's what you want especially for a morning after hangover. The outside of the hotel is fun with lots of art and colorful with cool benches to chill and/or take pictures at. There's bag storage in lobby for guests so if you arrive early you can leave them and hit the streets or if you have a later flight, you can still leave them for a little bit after checkout and come back for them.
CONS:
1. Location- I know this was a pro but I had to mention this one flaw. There was a previous review regarding a guest whose car got broken into across the street from hotel. Well, while sleep Sunday night I recall a car alarm going off but I was too tired to get up and see what happened. The next morning, while doing my makeup in the window, I see a guy with NYPD because his range rover was broken into and putting 2 and 2 together, it was his car that was going off. Later, while sitting in the hotel's cafeteria, he and some other guy were also in the caf talking, trying to see if anyone saw anything or they have any information.
2. Elevator- raggedy, it does whatever it feels like. I eventually began taking the stairs up and down to and from 4th floor. I was not risking getting stuck.
3. Room Stuff- I stayed in room 402 and the toilet did not have a seat cover...so it was annoying having to be extra careful to not have my belongings falling from sink into the toilet. There was no shower curtain so the floor easily got wet. That can't be good overtime, I'm sure. If it's a cost factor, maybe a curtain made from recycled materials could be used in all rooms. The room floor was a little dirty, though I bring slides every trip to walk around in, I suggest making sure, if you're staying here to have house shoes or something in your luggage, not socks an actual shoe.
All in all, it's a boutique hotel so you get what you pay for and it's honestly super affordable and worth it for a short 2-3 day trip. The staff was nice. Also shoutout to the rooms manager Marcus, he's amazing, accommodating and dresses cool- he's a pleasure. The photos of the community area and lobby does not represent what it is now- I hope it goes back to that. It would certainly give it a more organized, open and welcoming appeal. A tip for future guests would be to check your room thoroughly and if there's anything you need (extra rolls of toilet tissue, towels etc) make a list and get it stocked right away and if you're unhappy with your room, let them know they will accomodate you! I'd give it a 3 out of 5 stars because it was not terrible at all- just small improvements would make it amazing. read more