HotelChatter

Vikram Chatwal

The Night Hotel Doesn't Offer Nightlights

Where: 132 West 45th Street [map], New York City, ny, United States, 10036

June 26, 2006 at 12:49 PM | 0 Comments

Finally, the NY Times has gone into Vikram Chatwal's lair, the former Best Western-turned-Night Hotel in Manhattan.

One traveler describes the hotel's...simplicity as "black, black, black..oh yes..and black" and the Grey Lady found it...black, as well. Not black in a dark, cool and mysterious way, but rather dark, uneventful, and cold.

First impressions were gloomy. My "deluxe" room (No. 68) was pitch-black when I checked in at mid-afternoon, save for a halolike glow emanating from under the bed. At first glance, the kitschy effect suggested a coffin in an S&M dungeon.

As if that doesn't hurt enough, the paper called the place "Disneyesque" and compared the bed's leather headboard to Dracula's cape.

At least Vikram has put WiFi, Bose stereos, plasma screen TVs and ipods (by request, although the battery power might be low) inside which should help illuminate the room a little. And you're going to need access to the outside world while staying in this "coffin."

Related Stories:
· Check In: Check Out [New York Times]
· Night Hotel Reviews [TripAdvisor]