HotelChatter

Check-In Experience
Since we arrived during a snowstorm, we were more than appreciative when a handsome pea-coated bellman snatched our bags from the cab before we'd even paid our fare. Once we did that, the hottie er, bellman led us through the revolving doors.

The warm tones and soft lighting in the lobby were calming and cozy but still chic, as this is Thompson we're dealing with here. The lounge spaces had a hint of a retro cigar-room vibe and the lobby bar served free coffee and pastries from Le Pain Quotidien for breakfast (for now, at least until the kitchen opens).

Check-in was quick and seamless; the three staffers at the front desk were poised, professional, friendly and dressed in all black and they actually seemed to know what they were doing. We were asked for a credit card — nothing else — and got a quick rundown of the property. Then we were off to the elevators (both were working! Hooray!) with our bellman friend in under three minutes.

Room Reaction
We were in room 511--a "studio king"--and it was huge. HUGE. Sadly, we don't think $107 will ever get us this kind of space in NYC again.

Our first observation was we had no desk. Apparently, we were in one of four rooms in the whole hotel without a workspace, so make sure you request that your room have a desk if you need one.

When we toured Smyth a few weeks ago, we really liked the room decor. But this particular room's decor was 3M-style: modern, minimal and "meh." There was a single piece of art above the couch, and the only color in the room came from the objects on the bedside tables: a single lime green flower on the left, the blue glow of the iPod alarm clock on the right. Everything else was a variation of black or white — except the purplish-gray walls by the front door. Where was the poppy-red chair we'd loved so much? The desks we'd seen in the other rooms?

What We Liked
The decor didn't impress, but the alcove lighting across the top of the headboard did — and it served to soften the harsh shapes and colors of some of the furniture.

When we'd walked into the room, we were initially baffled by the flatscreen TV's placement: it was not visible from the bed, the couch or the armchair. But then we discovered its surprisingly versatile swivel capabilities and we were able to watch Will & Grace comfortably from both the bed and the couch.

Conceivably, we could have stayed here for a while: there was ample closet and drawer space — the only plus-side to that heartbreaking desk/dresser situation. And that bed? We could have slept in it forever. Fluffy pillows, soft linens, plush mattress — just like the bed we'd loved at Thompson LES.

The velvety robe kept us warm but alas, it's not for keeps — unless you want to pay $125, which is more than the opening room rate. The shower was stocked with our fave Kiehl's amenities and a rainforest showerhead. There was ample counterspace and shelving in the bathroom as well, and the lighting, for once, did not make us look like we'd had a hard night on the block.

What We Didn't Like
First, we had to pay $10 for 24 hours of Internet. We've always loved Thompson Hotels' free-WiFi policy; is it no more? Say it ain't so.

Also, there were no reasonably reachable power outlets by the beds. We couldn't stash our cell phone on the bedside table, and we're the type to keep the ol' Crackberry within reach. Additionally, there was no in-room phone by or near the bed either — which made for a particularly dragon-esque 'tude come wakeup call-time.

And a wakeup call was absolutely necessary because the iPod alarm clock had no operating instructions with it — and this model was possibly the most confusing piece of technology we've encountered in a hotel to date (and we're pretty tech-savvy, if we do say so ourselves).

One last thing: the lack of a door in the shower made us cold when we were nakey, though the bathroom was designed well enough that water didn't get all over the floor while we were gettin' clean, which is good.

Bottom Line
We hesitate to write this hotel off because we know we got a room that was a little different from the standard digs, but the experience, as a whole, was slightly disappointing. The bright spots in our stay were (without a doubt) the uber-helpful and competent staff, the design of the lobby (which, by the way, isn't quite finished yet — those glass cases throughout are still trinket-less) and the luxurious beds and bathrooms. We'll continue to keep an eye on guest feedback as it starts to roll in while the hotel gets up on its feet, but we're hesitant to recommend it to pals right now.

For lots more Smyth photos, head on over to the HotelChatter Flickr Pool.