Gotham On a Budget
Written: Jun 13 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Clean, efficient, courteous staff. A New York bargain.
Cons: Cookie cutter conformity. A homely neighborhood.
The Bottom Line: Convenenient for business near Penn Station. A reasonable walk to the theater district or shopping. All the essentials for a short stay in a thrifty, clean and safe package.
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| ulysses4's Full Review: HAMPTON INN MANHATTAN |
I would much rather write about and stay at boutique hotels in Manhattan, such as ones I have previously reviewed (ex. The Muse; Library; Giraffe and Casablanca). But in these financially lean times, whether you are traveling on your own or an expense account, there is a strong pull towards economy class. I would never, willingly, stay in a place that was run down or unsafe. On an overnight business trip, however, I have no need to stay in an upscale neighborhood, impress someone (or even my self) with real or faux luxury. Arriving and departing from Penn Station, and with an all day assignment in one of the Penn Plaza Towers, it made perfect sense to look for a reasonable hotel in the surprisingly unfashionable Fashion District. There are forty or so square blocks of homely and generally older buildings which comprise what used to be known as the Garment District. The import, export, design and sewing of mostly women's clothes, and a mind boggling array of zippers, buttons, thread and accessories, more wholesale than retail, make this area the East Coast heart of this industry that has been an important part of Manhattan for more than a century.
Thus, on a Sunday evening, I am walking east on 31st Street, away from one of the ugliest train stations in America. Just before you reach Sixth Avenue (called the Avenue of the Americas in the tonier 40s and 50s) you arrive at the Hampton Inn on the south side of the street.
By the way, epinions hasn't figured this out yet, but there no less than 8 Hampton Inns in Manhattan. Hilton must be doing something right. This one is described as the Madison Square Gardens Area Hampton Inn (for you sports fans). It could just as easily be called the original Macy's Herald Square Area Hampton Inn, although they would probably have to pay some royalties to do so. Despite the neat flower boxes in front of the Hotel, and the clean, tall and narrow facade of the hotel, the area is decidedly frumpy. The Jack's 99 Cent Store across the street sets the mood.
The lobby is cheerful, if a little cramped, with two free access laptops in the bay window area facing the door. Check in is quick and congenial at a faux wood front desk area that looks like it could be a suburban bank branch.
Two modern and deep elevators will take you up to your room, one of 136, probably nearly identical, grouped 8 to a floor all the way up 17 floors. When the elevator door opens you may get an immediate bout of claustrophobia. The halls are tiny, almost maze like, although well lit. Presumably, every inch of useable space has been put into the rooms. Mine was small, ultraclean and well lit. The king size bed took up at least half of the floor space. One almost has to walk sideways to get around it. The effect is that of a ship in a bottle.
This is your typical Hampton Inn level of finish, now in a high rise motel. The small flat screen TV mounted on the wall opposite the bed is not a luxury item, but a necessity. There would be no room to put any other type of TV in the room. Some forgettable art work, a functional night stand, a small work area and tilting chair could be used as your mini-office. Cable connection and wireless access, phone, coffee maker are all on the table. If you have traveled at all, you have seen it many times before.
There is a good firm mattress, clean and new bedspread, more pillows than you could ever use, but at least a soft and a hard one, piled like condiments on top of a sundae making the bed the focal point of the room. Industrial grade (is it in door outdoor) carpet keeps things neat.
There is a ridiculously small closet area, with tiny half shelves that along with an ironing board encroach on the area for a hanging garment bag. It looks a little like a junior high school locker area or a kid's room.
The small bathroom has an intense flourescent horizontal light fixture above the mirror. Stark, ugly, but functional. The sink and fixtures are attached to an economy plastique shelf and vanity (not very vain). A modular tub and shower, with a slightly bowed shower curtain rod, plastic shower curtain, toilet and hair dryer complete the suite. A small cache of generic soap, shampoo and conditioner and a compliment of hospital white and thin towels complete the inventory.
The view across the street, into some offices, is fairly dreary, but at least the street noise is muted; probably double thickness glass. A light cancelling curtain also helps end the day. The air conditioner adds some white noise, perhaps a little annoying at higher fan speeds.
In the morning, you can join the vast majority of New Yorkers who have to cope with waiting interminably for elevators. At least with Hampton Inns, you are greeted by small black and white photos of little kids and dogs having fun, It usually brings a smile to all but the most hardened of travelers.
On the first floor, around the corner from the front desk, is a fairly pleasant breakfast room with a sunroom porch projecting into some dead space behind the building. From a distance, and with a charitable perspective, at least some daylight filters in from directly overhead.
The on the house breakfast always features at least one hot item. On my day there, scrambled eggs that tasted somewhat better than they looked. Biscuits, bagels, toast, and the usual juice dispensing machine and giant thermos bottles of medium and robust coffee, hot water for tea were on hand. This is the classic serve yourself basic breakfast that seems to have spread like kudzu through the middle to lower price point hotels throughout America and most of the world. I'd give it a C+ on the breakfast scale.
There is a small on site fitness center. You can pick up your complimentary copy of USA Today in the lobby, the paper you can read without turning on your brain.
While there is not a lot to write home about, for $167. per night, including taxes, there is not a lot to complain about either.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ulysses4
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Member: Alan R. Fridkin
Location: Westfield, MA USA
Reviews written: 235
Trusted by: 21 members
About Me:
Mediator;attorney;retired Navy Captain;avid traveler;bon vivant.
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