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Hotel Pennsylvania Saved From Wrecking Ball, Revamps Its Website

Where: 401 7th Ave [map], New York, ny, United States, 10001

In this era of transparency and instant information, it's no surprise that every business under the sun is trying to overhaul its digital image. Jumping on the bandwagon is the The Hotel Pennsylvania, which earned distinction last year as 2007 Hospitality Sales and Marketing Awards International (HSMAI) eMarketer of the Year. Also, as a Notable Hotel to Get Off of The Hotel DeathWatch List. (See The NY Observer.)

Their new website, hotelpenn.com, admittedly has all the usual bells and whistles -- neat graphics, plenty of information and links, an excellent monthly calendar (including all Madison Square Garden events, a gimme since the monster is just across the street over Penn Station). Oh and don't forget: music. What plays is "New York, New York," the instrumental version of course.

We like the history page, and the tidbit that their telephone number was celebrated in Glenn Miller's hit song, "Pennsylvania 6-5000" (the number is Manhattan's "longest continually used telephone number - impressive!)

Virtual overhaul aside, the literal hotel's overhaul can't come fast enough. A quick glance through a fraction of the more than 1500 reviews on Tripadvisor wildly sway, from "grim" and "filthy dump" to "pleasantly surprised" and "good value, great location." No groovy website can correct that until the work is finished.