Style in a Great Location and other New York City, NY Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

We snagged a room at the Soho Grand via Priceline. Since I read about it when it opened several years ago, I've always wanted to stay here. The Soho Grand is a 4* hotel and it shows as soon as you arrive via taxi. The doorman will open the car door and help grab you bags from the trunk. And they are very personable...not stuffy or snotty at all. In fact all the staff we encountered were very friendly and accomodating. I thought we might get the cold shoulder upon checking in because we had booked through Priceline but not so. Overall the service was good and was there when you needed it, but they aren't hovering by any means.

The interior has a very modern style without being completely minimalist. Beautiful people rule in the Grand Lounge and Bar. No restaurant in the hotel but they do serve food in the lounge. There is also a large bowl of apples each morning in the lobby near the elevators. Our room was small but not a closet. We had a nice east-facing view which featured the Soho and Chinatown skyline. The room was very clean and included a TV, safe, audio system (with hookup available for your iPod), writing table, wardrobe and chair in addition to the bed. Lighting was adequate and the bedding was nice. Great towels and toiletries as well.

The locaiotn can't be beat as it's on the SW corner of Soho, home to many shops, restaurants, and galleries. It's also just north of Tribeca and a bit east of Greenwich Village and west of Chinatown. Access to the rest of Manhattan is attainable via the nearby Canal Street subway station. You can always catch a taxi at the front entrance as well. We definitely llked the style, service, and location of this hotel and would gladly stay again!

Unique Qualities: Modern style, great location in Soho (not many hotels in this fashionable/trendy neighborhood), excellent service, complimentary coffee/hot chocolate machine on each floor next to the ice machine. You can also request to have a bowl with a gold fish sent to your room during your stay.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212-965-2000
Address: 310 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Directions: In Soho just north of Canal Street on West Broadway.
Website: www.sohogrand.com

We last stayed at the Portland Square in October 2003. In checking the rates recently (1/2006) it seems that the rates have gone up considerably as I recall only paying $109 or so for a double with a private bath. I guess that's the norm in Manhattan these days. The PS's location can't be beat as it's right in the heart of Times Square, a half-block from all the action and the TKTS booth. The rooms are very basic and dull. However our room was clean and functional in all ways if not unattractive. The walls and doors are paper thin. However at the time it was a great bargain for the location as we were only in the room to sleep and take a shower anyway.

Definitely check more recent reviews here on VT or on Trip Advisor.

Unique Qualities: Great location; very basic rooms.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: 800-388-8988
Address: 132 W 47th St
Directions: On 47th between Sixth and Seventh
Website: www.portlandsquarehotel.com

Hotel 31 is location on a quiet block between Lexington and Park Avenues. There are other residential homes on this tree-lined block and staying here makes you feel like a New Yorker as you leave from and return to the hotel. We last stayed at Hotel 31 in 2001 or 2002 and it was a very pleasant experience. We had a double with shared bath (a limited number of rooms with private bath are also available) The room decor was a bit dark and dated but not shabby. There was a sink in our room which provided a level of convenience that I had not expected. I was pleasantly surprised that the shared bathrooms on our floor (there were two, both with toilet, sink and shower) were kept spotless. Convenient to subway (4, 5, 6) on 33rd and Park and buses.

A recent check of rates shows that Hotel 31 is still a budget property in pricey Manhattan.

Unique Qualities: Location on a quiet residential street, clean, good location

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212-685-3060
Address: 120 E 31st St
Directions: On 31st St between Park and Lexington Avenues
Website: www.hotel31.com