The Algonquin on W. 44th is an older, historic building which is best known for the literary types who hung out there for lunch in the 1930's. What we liked about it was the location, it's size and that it was recommended by a family friend. I originally did not want to stay there because my brother in law stayed there on an earlier trip and we didn't want to seem like copycats. But, we got a really great rate and ended up loving the hotel.

Coming in on a rainy weekend doesn't hurt! Our first stop was the Hippodrome Garage on West 44th Street to get rid of the car. Unfortunately, 44th Street was blocked by a giant crane so we had to go around a few blocks to try 45th Street instead for another entrance. Sure enough, it was right there where we thought it would be. We grabbed our luggage and were off to the hotel. By staying at the Algonquin, you get a reduced parking rate of only $25 a day. Ordinarily, we'd take the train in but we were attending a wedding on Long Island later in the weekend without commuter transportation access.

The Algonquin is a small building and the staff bent over backwards to assist us with early check-in, room entry, checking baggage for us, hailing taxis in the rain and offering assistance with dining reservations and directions as well as parking validation. We arrived at 12:30 and though check-in wasn't until 3, we were able to get a room immediately.

The bellman couldn't get our keys to work in the door because they weren't encoded properly so he RAN down the stairs and back up again to get them fixed. Granted, we were on the second floor so it wasn't a very long run but it still meant he went out of his way for us.

The room was small but had plenty of room for the two of us. By small, I really mean tiny. The queen sized bed just fit into the room. There were beautiful crystal lamps and a small television. The bathroom was very small with just a shower instead of a tub. Nice features included the Caswell-Massey soaps, free bottled water, jar of candy, bathrobes, hair dryer and a pleasant decor. We especially liked the wallpaper in the hallway which featured cartoons of the Algonquin which had previously appeared in The New Yorker magazine.

When you wander the lobby and the upstairs common areas, you'll find oak paneling and beautiful spaces with pianos. You can grab something to eat at the downstairs Rose Room or check out the cabaret in the Oak Room. The spirit of the Round Table lives on here, even if you won't find Dorothy Parker.

The only thing we really didn't like about the hotel was the street noise. There was a lot of construction taking place during the day so we heard jackhammers throughout the daylight hours. In the evening, it was honking from car horns. On top of that, there was a heavy wind as part of the rainstorm all evening and our room was right next to the awning over the front entrance. There are metal chains holding the awning and bracework in place but one of those chains was loose. It clanged against a piece of bracework the entire night which made a gigantic racket. We didn't get a lot of sleep. I would recommend asking for a room on a higher level and perhaps on the back side of the building.

Recommended: Yes