Chic fun at the Hudson
Written: Aug 27 '02 (Updated Nov 11 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: location, decor, fun bars and restaurant on site
Cons: teeny rooms
The Bottom Line: A trendy hotel with great location, fun bars, good restaurant. The teeny rooms would be most appreciated by single adults or couples. Not for families.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Hudson |
I have stayed at the Hudson several times and loved it. I was surprised to find so many negative reviews. I think the trick to liking it is knowing what to expect. The hotel is just a few blocks from FAO Schwarz and Fifth Avenue shopping so is ideal for tourists and also near midtown for business. The rooms are teeny so this hotel is not for a family. There is not much to appeal to children in the hotel.
THE ROOMS
The rooms are just slightly bigger than the bed which is probably a full size or maybe a queen. They have a very modern, sleek look with clean surfaces and funky lighting. They thoughtfully provide a cd player and a cd with some mood music. The bed was very comfortable with a nice, thick comforter.
There is very little storage in the room. More than two average suitcases would spill out of the tiny closet into the room. The bathroom is similarly teeny. When I have stayed at the Hudson, I used the room only for bathing, changing and sleeping. There is no room for anything else.
THE LOBBY, RESTAURANTS AND AMENITIES
The fun of the hotel is the stylish decor and the scene downstairs. The lobby is very dark and there is a crazy chandelier in the middle. There is a bar that appears to be themed after Space Odyssey 2001. The floor lights up and there is space age furniture. If you stay in the hotel, you can get into the bar and skip the velvet rope. There is also a great outside bar with huge planters containing trees, a bed, oriental carpets and pillows to sit on and other oddities. The bar offers amazing people watching, although I find it sometimes difficult to get service (although my lack of hipness may be to blame).
There is also a restaurant called the Cafeteria. They serve comfort food such as macaroni and cheese and meatloaf as well as some upscale dishes. The seating is at long tables so you will be sitting with other people. There are some seats around the kitchen in the center of the restaurant. I have found the food there great and the prices reasonable for New York.
There is also a library bar with dozens of coffee table books to look at and a pool table.
THE SERVICE
I was surprised to find reviews that indicated service was bad. Each time I have stayed there, someone has met my cab curbside and carried my bag to the reception desk. Check-in and check-out is quick and pleasant. The staff is helpful with restaurant reservations and other tasks. The rooms are clean. On one occasion, I accidentally left my glasses in my room. I called when I got home and they not only had them, but fedexed them to me that day.
PRICE
They advertise that single rooms can be had for $99, although I have always paid between $150 and $200 for a single room.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
The Hudson is a fun hotel. However, it is not a destination place. Rather, it is better enjoyed as a place to finish an otherwise busy day with a meal in the Cafeteria or a drink and people watching in one of the bars.
MY MINI-GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY
Things to Do:
The Metropolitan Museum
Ellis Island
The Statue of Liberty
Places to Eat:
Lucky Cheng’s has Chinese food for adults.
Ruby Foo’s has Chinese food for families.
Pipa is next to Manhattan Mecca ABC Carpet & Home.
Starlight Diner is where singing servers bring your burgers.
Rue 57 fuses French and Japanese cuisine in Midtown.
Places to Stay:
The Roosevelt Hotel
The W on Lexington
Sheraton Manhattan
Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers
New York Hilton
Broadway:
TKTS sells half-price tickets to Broadway shows.
Gypsy is Broadway at its best.
Rent is an unusual Broadway rock musical legend.
Wicked is a prequel to the Wizard of Oz.
Chicago is a classic.
Sweet Charity has a 60’s vibe.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
modernmarvel
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Can anyone recommend a western family dude ranch for a vacation this summer?
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