Inside the Newly Opened Aloft Harlem

Where: 2296 Frederick Douglass Boulevard [map], New York, NY, United States, 10027

February 4, 2011 at 3:16 PM | by JetSetCD | Comments (0)

Inside a standard, double room at the Aloft

Sure, sure; the Aloft Hotel in Harlem has been open and welcoming guests now for just over a month, but today they held the official grand opening when the politicians and corporate people put on their shiniest ties and mug for the cameras. The guest star was Congressman Charles Rangel, who actually once worked as a desk clerk in the Hotel Theresa, a former hospitality and historical icon in Harlem that closed at the end of the 1960s.

You wouldn't know it from all the culture and energy of Harlem, but the Aloft is the area's first major hotel since the closing of the Theresa. Why has it taken so long?! The easy answer is the gentrification of Harlem, but the more involved explanation is that Manhattan has so many hotel choices already, and Harlem has been viewed by tourists as predominantly a place to visit, but not a place for staying and spending their money. And now that's changed. Heck—the Apollo Theater is around the frickin' corner, on the same block as an American Apparel shop, a MAC Cosmetics, and a large and shiny H&M, all of which are still interspersed with storefront churches promising quick redemption and small restaurants serving up fried chicken-and-waffles.

The Harlem Aloft is not some big, generic hotel. It's only five stories, above which are condos, and the modern Aloft vibe is ideal for Harlem's burgeoning population of young and connected locals. There's a sunken patio, just outside of the lobby and W XYZ bar, which serves up pop culture-themed cocktails.

For guests, of which there were plenty piddling about the hotel throughout the event today, the hotel adheres to Aloft standards like free wired and wireless internet, an in-room desk with plenty of A/V and laptop hookups, Bliss toiletries, a lobby with a pool table that encourages hanging out, and a great little fitness center. Don't forget that Alofts don't have hotel restaurant, but a 24-hour "pantry" called re:fuel, which charges for various items like cappuccinos, cupcakes, deli sandwiches and fresh fruit. But with a location surrounded by some of the best eating in the city, we don't know why you'd want to eat at Aloft at all.

Room keys are nifty RFID cards, so a little touch and you're in. If you're a frequent Aloft guest, you can take advantage of their Smart Check-in program, which texts you your room number on check-in day and your special Aloft Starwood card (with embedded chip) will open the door; no dealing with the front desk at all. Rates look to be starting around $159 per night, but be sure to check out all their offers before booking.

For more Aloft Hotels, check out our reviews of the Alofts at Chicago-O'Hare Airport, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Lexington, MA and Philadelphia Airport.

[Photos: Cynthia Drescher for HotelChatter]

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