HotelChatter

Check-In: We rode the subway from JFK to the Chambers stop in downtown Manhattan. The hotel is just three short blocks from this stop which excited us. But when we showed up at the hotel, the restaurant was being entirely renovated. The check-in area, which was already small to begin with, was ultra-cramped and one "wall" was actually a white tarp. Nevertheless, check-in was efficient and we were on our way to room 306.

Room Reaction: The superior queen room was small but we loved the functional design and the high ceilings. The bathroom was surprisingly spacious too. But right away we saw the half shower doors and groaned. That meant one half of our body would be cold while we showered (and we were right.)

Amenity Madness: The hotel had a tray of goodies from bottled water ($6) to soda and chips ($4). We lit into the Pringles but the Coke was flat. Perhaps we should have guzzled some wine instead.

The bathroom had yummy-smelling toiletries from We Live Like This and plenty of towels, along with a hairdryer and even a dreaded scale. In the closet we found a Duane Street bathrobe and ironing equipment.

The desk was tiny but there was an outlet on the wall above it, making charging all our gadgets very easy. Next to that was a TV which we could turn on but couldn't change the channel so we watched NY1 all morning long.

Internet Connect: We connected to the internet using a hotel code and password and it worked blazingly fast.

Dining Scene: Obviously 'beca was out of the question but our complimentary continental breakfast voucher was good for in-room dining. The service came promptly although without silverware.

What We Liked: Despite the shower door, we really liked the bathroom, especially those toiletries. The bed was also great as we were even able to sleep through some subway noise. And the hotel's location is rather good, near two major subway stops and not that far from West Broadway which leads up to the more popular Soho/Tribeca spots.

What We Didn't Like: The subway noise. It wasn't so much that our room rumbled but we definitely heard the noise every time it rolled by. While the large windows were awesome, the blinds were a bit cumbersome to operate. Also, the view was sad. And it would have been nice if we had gotten a heads up from either Quikbook or the hotel about construction.

Bottom Line: We were happy with our rate of $159 a night (before taxes) since regular room rates start around $239 a night. But thanks to the subway noise and the small quarters, we probably wouldn't pay much more than this again.