Although some of my friends and family may not agree, I’m hardly a hotel snob.
I’ve stayed at rural motels in the South and basic lodgings along random highways.
I just need a comfy bed, decent water pressure, and the reassurance that rodents won’t scamper across my floor or that a stranger will pound on my door at 3 AM (which once actually happened to me at a hotel in Maryland).
My 3-day stay at the Sheraton Times Square was fine. Just fine. Nothing more and nothing less.
If you’re a tourist coming to New York to see shows and shop, it’s probably great. But I realized that when traveling for both business and leisure, certain things REALLY matter to me.
- I was in the middle of writing a multi-page white paper, and my computer died. It was because the outlet at the desk didn’t work properly and my laptop wasn’t charging.
- The pillows were SUPER mushy. I realize that’s a personal preference.
- Housekeeping didn’t replace some of my towels, and they accidentally threw away my Pear ring. I convinced the desk manager that I didn’t have the time or interest to fill out a security report (which may have gotten a housekeeper fired), so they just gave me Bonvoy points as a consolation.
On the positive side, it’s in a super-convenient location (especially for theater-goers and shoppers), the water pressure was good, they have a conference area (which was the perfect spot for the one-day event I attended), and the food and beverage selection at their restaurant is decent.
An in-room coffee maker is terrific. It saves time and money and gets your day started earlier. The hotel was swarming with Marathon runners on Sunday and Monday, which was really cool. People were working in the lobby, so it could be a good place to talk to strangers. You never know who you might meet and what interesting stories they may tell.
I’m moving over to the Bryant Park Hotel today, which will be a more productive venue for me to work and sleep (and record my podcast).
So, if you’re choosing a place to work AND play, consider what’s really important to you in Bleisure Living (and be sure to test the outlets as soon as you get to your room!)
4 Responses
Nice… one day on my return to NYC I will keep this in mind.
I’ve stayed there. But decades ago. I wouldn’t call your stay ‘fine’–you are generous! Oh and I never use the coffee maker in room. I have no idea how often they clean and sanitize or even how. Same with any cups but disposable. Seen too many exposes!
Sounds like many hotels in that area — serviceable, not super duper expensive, and forgettable. Still, with a family on a budget, it’s fine and a great central location.
I’m with Carol on the in-room coffee makers. I never touch them. And, the best you can ever hope for with their coffee packets is swill. Begin from Louisiana, that’s not acceptable. Your stay also didn’t seem so fine.