The Sheraton Russell, New York, A Small Town Hotel in the Big City
Written: May 25 '02 (Updated Apr 18 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very agreeable hotel with inviting rooms in quiet neighborhood
Cons: Quiet neighborhood, small hotel, so dining options are limited
The Bottom Line: A very agreeable, smaller hotel of some character. The paneled lobby is club-like and inviting. The rooms are spacious and pleasant.
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| tombarnes's Full Review: Sheraton Russell Hotel |
The old Sheraton Russell Hotel on New York's Park Avenue is the sort of place that would slip under most radar screens. Unless you really know about this place, or are addicted to Starpoints in the Starwood Perferred Guest program, it is easy to miss. Such an unassuming but pleasant hotel! I once saw it described churlishly as "something like the best hotel in, say, Terre Haute, Indiana." While this comment was snide, it is also trenchant. There is something of the heartland in this little hotel, and that's a good thing. Allow me to describe some of its features.
The Building
Not especially imposing, the hotel has only ten stories of neat red brick. The building is not unattractive, but its modified neo-classical revival features are almost muted. This hotel does not shout at passersby, it beckons with window boxes brightening its public face, creating an inviting spot on this otherwise dull block. The hotel has only 172 rooms (including the 26 suites), so its profile casts a small shadow, rather than a big one. It is refreshing to find such a low-key place in New York.
Lobby
The lobby is handsome and inviting, with rich oak paneling, though the gray-blue carpet is dispiriting. Its furniture is restrained and comfortable. A simple round table with a spray of flowers dominates the reception area. This does seem like it might have been the Majestic Hotel right out of downtown Zenith in Sinclair Lewis' Babbitt. There is a straightforward honesty about the place that is especially refreshing in New York, a city where artifice is often taken to the extreme.
The reception staff were about as friendly and helpful as they come in New York. As this is a small hotel, there can be distinct advantages. Not having to wait in line is one of them. A smartly uniformed bellman took us up to a small suite in no time at all.
Rooms and Suites
With their recently completed renovation, there has been a remarkable improvement in the rooms here. Rooms that had grown stodgy and stale have been refreshed, with lighter colors and new furniture. There is a new commitment at Starwood to improve the beds in all of their hotels. The success of the Heavenly Bed at Westin will bring a similar program to Sheraton, starting this year at the Sheraton New York. Sixty seven of these rooms are a prototype too, for an expanded office/guest room idea. Called the Smart Room these rooms have larger desks, better task lighting, extra data ports and so forth. Having seen the old rooms, I can tell you that there is no comparison between the two. Even their new standard rooms are vastly improved, though the look is still very traditional--vaguely English.
Baths
Attractive and functional without going into paroxysms of marble or overflowing with amenities, the baths are sensible, even if they are still slightly small. The towels and amenities were good, without being exceptional.
Dining
The old restaurant, Russell's disappeared some years ago. Attractive as the old place was, it was about as popular as croquet at the W.W.F.. This vanished in 1999-2000, to re-emerge as the glorified Club Lounge. It is a corporate mandate of all Sheratons that they have a proper club lounge for the Starwood Preferred guests. When your dining room is a loss leader as this one was, it may make some economic sense to close it, however doubtful that may be in terms of service.
In addition to the continental breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres, drinks are available from the bar. The lounge is only open to guests of the hotel, and then, only during the week. If you get hungry on the weekend, you might be able to find something over on Third Avenue.....This is the hotel's greatest deficiency.
Recreation
About three very small guest rooms were sacrificed to create a new fitness center. The equipment is new, and it is nicely maintained, but one cannot escape the makeshift feel of the place.
Service
The staff here are efficient and may actually have the time and patience to really help you with any problems that arise during your stay. We found the concierge staff both knowledgeable and friendly. One of the afternoon concierges was able to book a table for us at Veritas on a crowded night when I had been turned away in my own calls to the restaurant. I was impressed with the ability of the concierge here to get this through.
Location
The location is convenient to the Pierpont Morgan Library or to some shopping on Fifth Avenue, but unless you have business in the immediate area, it is a bit of a hike uptown. There is a subway station about one block away, so the inconvenience may be somewhat less so, if you are willing to take the subway. Taxis are numerous in the area.
Rates
The average price for a room here is about $300 for a single or double. their rates do range from $225.00 to $465.00, single or double. Their average is about the standard for New York, perhaps just slightly on the higher side of things, but hardly in the range of the Carlyle or the St. Regis. Think of this place as a sort of Lesser Lowell, and you will be fine.
Sheraton Russell Hotel
45 Park Avenue at 37th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel. 212-685-7676
Toll free 800-325-3535
Note
The Sheraton Russell has closed and is being converted to a condominium building. TB
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tombarnes
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Thomas Barnes
Location: Fort Lauderdale & Washington, DC
Reviews written: 688
Trusted by: 444 members
About Me:
With Barbara in Miami, 2004
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