Good Bargain, Good Location,
Written: Jul 12 '07 (Updated Jul 13 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Proximity to Times Square
Cons: Smallish Rooms
The Bottom Line: Good value for the no frills traveler who still wants nice rooms.
|
|
|
| kushnir's Full Review: Belvedere Hotel |
On our way to London we decided to break up the trip both coming and going since we live in California and didn’t want a full day of air travel. Last time we stayed on Central Park east, so this time we found this place which is two blocks from Times Square. Reading mixed reviews we still proceeded figuring that even if it was a bust we were not spending 20 hours a day in our room.
Checking in was a breeze, they had our reservation and advance payment noted. We arrived at 11 so unfortunately our room was not ready so we wandered around checking out the area by foot. Hungry we found a great place called the Baldora on 49th st, which is owned by the same family that owns (impossible to get a table at) RAO’s.
Returning to the hotel we were told that our rooms would be ready in about another 15 minutes, so they have a office area with internet connection and I decided to check my emails etc. The office area is equipped with all the items you would need to use, Fax, scanner , printers etc. The bellman found me by the screen and advised us that our room was ready. Escorting us to our room and opening the door revealed a clean nicely appointed smallish modern room overlooking 48th street. The room was bright clean and quiet! Although the hotel was remodeling the rooms starting at the top floors, and had not gotten down to our floor, we heard no noise and dirt associated with such work. Our Bathroom had been recently updated, (4 years) and possessed marble floors and walls and nice modern sink and plenty of lighting. The only down side was it was a tad small with very little space to open my kit bag, or my wife’s makeup and bathroom possessions.
The carpet and drapes appeared and smelled clean, no lingering smokers had been here recently! The mattresses were firm but the only down side there was the foam pillows which propped your head up to high for my comfort level and no down pillows were in the room. The second night I did receive a down pillow after asking room service.
Being close to the action, we walked quite a bit and took cabs, there are plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance, plenty of things to see and theaters are within two blocks. The concierge was also very helpful in attaining theater tickets and limo service to the airport. I would recommend using the car service to return to the airport because for about 15 dollars more than what a taxi charges you arrive not harried after sitting in back of a taxi with a driver not being able to communicate fluently with you!
All in all the Belvedere was a very good value, good location and nice rooms, I would go back but not for the breakfasts which are included in the packages. Lots of delis and food markets where you can buy stuff for the in room fridge and microwave.
The walking time to Times Square is about 4 minutes, 12-15 minutes to Central Park. The room rate in May for a regular room on package was 240 per day, without package on our way back two weeks later was $279. The rates go up a little during summer $339 or so.
Subway is two blocks down on 8th st, The hotel is on 48th.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
kushnir
|
|
Member: Ken Kushnir
Location: Healdsburg,CA
Reviews written: 30
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
hospitality & food service mgmt
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.