Okay in a pinch
by TripAdvisor Member mcgrt
Just finished my second week long stay at the Excelsior. I booked it a second time because I couldn't get another hotel in that neighborhood for the dates I needed, not because I feel that it is in anyway special except for location.The rooms are small but clean and the housekeeping was excellent.The staff of the overpriced breakfast room were affable but otherwise the staff was either haughty or preoccupied, certainly too busy to pay much attention the hotel guests. The bellman couldn't be bothered to get your bags, the front desk clerks applied make-up in public and and I never did see the concierge.I did not feel very safe in the building since it was apparent that anyone could easily enter and access the guest areas. If you are looking for great amenities, this is not a place for you, but it is clean and adequately maintained for the price.
Disappointed Twice
by A TripAdvisor Member
I have stayed at The Excelsior twice (summers 1998 & 2003). On both occasions I did not get the type of room I had reserved. (I had also confirmed my room choice by phoning the hotel some days after making the reservations.) I had requested a room with 2 double beds but upon arrival both times was told that only a room with 1 bed and a fold-out sofa was available. Coincidence?? On both occasions I found the desk staff to have an indifferent "take it or leave it" attitude. On my 2003 visit the cheesy motel-quality air conditioner barely worked and produced more noise than cool air. Luckily, the room faced away from the street, so I just opened the window at night. So why the second visit? The location is excellent, the rooms are clean & comfortable enough, the price is good, and I thought they would have hired a more pleasant staff by 2003. I believe the 2003 staff was ruder than the 1998 staff. So if you can tolerate a cold reception and are willing to take potluck with room assignments, this might be an acceptable place.
I'm looking for different hotel for my next trip to NYC.
Ghastly
by A TripAdvisor Member
Recommended this hotel to friends of mine who came to visit. We were greated by a very nice asian woman, but that was about it. A so called "front desk supervisor" actually asked if they could wait one minute and she proceeded to answer her cell phone and speak to whomever it was. I thought this was sopposed to be a professional work environment but it is soo laid back and mismanaged. I mean how can you hire a supervisor that does that?
Now their creature problem. They have roaches, which I can understand with all the restaurants around this area, I am not a *** I do know that this pesky creatures are annoying, but my god, they have their front desk staff jumping on counters to get away from these bugs, not to say I wouldn't do the same but sheesh look what even the the staff has to put up with. We even saw a mouse in the breakfast room.
Another time my friends came and they stayed there and left with bug bites all over his arms. Now this was the end of winter so I highly doubt the mosquitos were out...so what pray tell bit him all over his arm causing him to bleed and be left with red bumps? When he confronted the desk he met a nice woman who was very appologetic, she offered him the manager's business card. Later when they checked out they noticed they were still being charged for the late check out considering what he went through but the same desk agent still appologetic informed them that she had spoke with the manager and on his orders was to still charge them. They contacted the manager who refused to reimburse them for any part of their stay.
How atroucious...just ghastly...if you would like to walk away with all the blood in your body that you came with please SAVE YOURSELF, do not stay here.
Fabulous base for New York!
by A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at the Excelsior from 30th April - 5th May 2004.
We had the most fabulous time!
When we arrived we were given the choice of hotel rooms and decided to stay at the front of the hotel (fabulous view of the Planetarium) but as that room had a windowless bathroom we changed the next day to one at the back of the hotel (this time the view was of the back of apartments - which was a good way of seeing how New Yorkers really lived). We had a light, bright, very clean bedroom and bathroom and the bed was very comfortable. From this location we caught the subway (just on the corner) and it took us all over the city. We found that the hotel's location was perfect, it was close to local shops and truly great local restaurants (which weren't full of tourists) and yet all of New York's attractions were a only short journey away. Being so close to the park was a joy and we really felt that we had an opportunity to visit a very non-tourist typical hotel (most of the other guests were American) and stay in a very real neighbourhood.
Half decent, not bad, so-so
by A TripAdvisor Member
The Excelsior is not bad, for New York. We've stayed there a few times, the prices for a suite through Quikbook, are relatively good, again for NYC. Our room was clean, with a scenic view of another part of the building ("courtyard" view). But the staff is not particularly friendly or helpful. We needed to change rooms (our suite for a family of 5 was in fact a "cozy" junior suite with no room for the requested cot), and had to stoop to obnoxiousness in order to make it happen. The breakfast, at $14 to $18 a head, is not worth it, especially with good bakeries and less expensive restaurants within a few blocks. However, the location, upper West Side, is very good, and feels safe. Would we stay again? Maybe, if we couldn't find anything better.
Lovely lovely lovely
by A TripAdvisor Member
Having read some of the reviews about this hotel, I was obviously concerned about my stay. I had booked 5 nights for myself and 2 friends and as I had done the organising, felt responsible for the quality of the hotel I had chosen.
On arrival we were greeted by a pleasant young woman who apologised for keeping us waiting (not long) and checked us in. We had asked for a room with two beds and were delighted when we saw we had been upgraded to a two room suite with a view of the park. The room was spotless and was cleaned every day. There were thick robes, fresh towels daily and an endless supply of shampoos etc. Even razors and shaving foam!!! There was a TV in each room and a safe. All in all , it was a very pleasant stay, just remember to bring your own tea and kettle.
Fantastic
by A TripAdvisor Member
Very nervous about this hotel after reading reviews on this site but it turned out to be fantastic. Room on top floor overlooking city - wow. Room immaculately clean as was bathroom- could not have been any better. New water everyday, but no tea/coffee We chose to breakfast out at one of the many diners/coffee places VERY near by. Fantastic area for restaurants - try FREDS and Very cheap Chinese near EJ's diner and EJ's Diner. Buy a Metro card for all day travel on subway and bus(both 2mins from hotel) for $7 and really experience a great city. We travelled on subway upto 10pm and felt totally safe at all times. Just great place. The Excelsior is a wonderful place for the end of a long long day. The most comfortable beds ever!! Can't wait to go again - already saving.
Forum Posts
Hotels in New York City
by Rouma
I am searching for a good valued hotel in new york city and in a good area other than in Times Square? Any advice?
Re: Hotels in New York City
by TexasDave
This question gets asked regularly. You can find a lot of information and suggestions by reading past posts in the NYC forum.
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In 2008, we stayed at the Salisbury Hotel (just at the southern edge of the Central Park). We found out that this hotel was not expensive at all and definitely more worth than the 2½ stars it possesses. Subwaystations all around, so what do you want else ...
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I'm LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVES TO HOTELS VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owners). nyhabitat look OK for studioapartments etc.lOTS OF GOOD SPOTS AROUND GREENWICH VILLAGE AREA WHERE I INTEND TO STAY. Prices are around ther $150 up, which for NY is reasonablr
Re: Hotels in New York City
by trheelgirl
Why Times Square? I mean, it's not the best part of Manhattan, IMHO. You can get same price hotels in much nicer locations and you'll still be close to Broadway, the Theater District, etc (if that's your reason). This question is asked a lot on the forum. I highly recommend Le Parker Meridien, if it works for your budget. It is in a much nicer area than Time Sq (119 West 56th Street), ask for a room with a view of the Central Park. Run price comparisons on all the big sites - Expedia, Hotels.com, Travelzoo deals, etc but keep in mind that the smaller niche sites might have even better deals. Earlier this week I booked a room at Excelsior Hotel for a client through HotelRooms365.com and the rate was $40/night less than the lowest of the "big sites" rates.
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