Priced and Positioned for Premium Playtime
Written: Oct 19 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: PRICE, location, room size, and an affable staff!
Cons: Eeeew... don't look at those box springs! A couple negatives--negligible considering the price.
The Bottom Line: If you're traveling on a budget and want to be in Manhattan, this place is near perfect!
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| kyhiera's Full Review: Broadway Plaza Hotel |
So I finally made it to the Big Apple... but it's an expensive trip from the west coast for a single mom, teacher, artist with a child in tow. After some research, I booked a trip with Travelocity and chose the Broadway Plaza Hotel as our 'base' because it was conveniently located (Broadway @ 27th) and the price was right.
Location
I read the previous review on this hotel and noted that the woman who reviewed it said the neighborhood was somewhat cheap and shady, but I really didn't have a problem with this (it's New York City and the best locations have their grittiness) and I was traveling with a three-year-old! That said, the hotel front is on Broadway at the SW intersection of 27th and Broadway. There is a subway station for the R train at 28th, and another for the train headed into Brooklyn (the number/letter escapes me just now) a few blocks away around 23rd, west of Broadway. Too, Park Avenue is about a block east of 27th, with more sub stations and the Metro. Penn Station is a short walk NW, just past the Manhattan Mall. East on 27th is something called the Museum of Sex... not that I got a chance to check it out, but it did peak my interest, as did the funky, rhinoceros-horn-trimmed, red building beside it. The Empire State Building is another short jaunt NE of the hotel, and Times Square is straight up Broadway (my feet tire just thinking of all that walking--smile).
Rooms, Amenities, Service
I wasn't expecting perfection, being that we were paying something close to $200/night in MANHATTAN, I just wanted something clean and close to all the action. Broadway Plaza didn't disappoint. We stayed in Room #306 for 7 nights, and though we arrived at around 9am and check-in was at 3pm, the staff graciously took our bags and we actually were able to check in around noon (thankful to have time to nap after an exhausting flight). The room did have a peek of the Empire State Building, and my son enjoyed sitting on the windowsill observing the changing lights each night. The room was LARGE--my cousin who is now living in Brooklyn lamented that our room was larger than his studio apartment. Walls were an interesting shade of avocado green with some nice Miro prints framed on the walls. Cherry wood furniture--the hotel basics like a desk, table and chairs, end table, armoire, bureau, and two queen beds. There was an open closet 'cove' with space for the extra blankets/pillows and the standard room safe. The bathroom was also ample sized, with a shower/bath and great water pressure. Lighting was good in both, though we did have to have a bulb replaced immediately upon arrival. Without the lights, though, the room is a bit dark--not a big deal as we pretty much only used it as our place to crash! There was all-day coffee and tea service on the 4th floor, which is also where the continental breakfast was served from 7-9am each day. And though this breakfast area was quite small (bit of traffic close to 9am each day), the available choices of muffins, sweet rolls, and bagels was actually pretty good. Vending and ice machines were located on the 7th floor. There were two elevators, which could be pretty slow during high traffic times at the hotel, but the stairwell was convenient enough for the quick trips to the 4th floor for coffee. Hotel staff were ALL VERY FRIENDLY and helpful (another fact that my cousin noted was not terribly typical in his experience with visitors to the city). The elderly doorman who worked nights especially worked to get a smile from my often-tired son... something ALWAYS appreciated by those who travel with children!
...and the Pitfalls!
Did you think there wouldn't be any? Well, it is on the cheap side, so here's the downside: The hotel toilets weren't especially strong at flushing so we did have a temporary plug, which could be a problem... The third floor had a men's and women's bathroom (for staff use, I'm assuming), and though the hotel was clean and had that disinfectant odor most of the time, there were moments where I was able to smell the stale cigarette smoke. The maids did a fabulous job of cleaning our room each day, but there was one time that we were left with only one washcloth for the three people staying in the room--not sure why, but it took some time to get extras delivered (it was evening when we called, most likely the maids had left for the day) which were brought up to us by the doorman! And though sheets and towels were always clean, with that somewhat crisp feeling that bleach leaves, there were some nasty stains on the box springs under the mattresses. I've learned enough about hotel bedding to know I don't EVER want to look to close--but I shudder to think what they were from and did have to avert my eyes on occasion!
Final Comments
I'd stay here again, in a heartbeat. All negatives aside, it was a fine 'home base' while exploring the city and it's offerings. We had a GREAT time!
Website: http://www.broadwayplazahotel.com/
Broadway Plaza Hotel
1155 Broadway
New York, NY 10001
Tel: (212) 679-7665
Fax: (212) 679-7694
Toll Free: 877-50 Hotel (US only)
reservations@broadwayplazahotel.com
* Website shows photos of rooms--I'd bet that our exact room (#306) was the 'Superior Two Queen Beds' room they show, and the picture is exactly what the room looks like.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
kyhiera
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Location: CA
Reviews written: 73
Trusted by: 46 members
About Me:
You'll find enough about me in reading the old reviews... ;).
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