More about Ink48 - a Kimpton Hotel
When it's completely finished, this will be an amazing hotel
by TripAdvisor Member sailingcarrot
This was my first visit to NYC and I came with my boyfiend and his sisters to celebrate the birthday of their oldest sister who lives just outside New York. I was slightly apprehensive about staying in an unfinished hotel - the scaffolding outside when we drew up had us worried! But from the moment we stepped inside, the staff could not have been more helpful and friendly. Our 11th floor room was huge and the view from the window was breathtaking. The shower was fabulous - just the thing to perk you up when jetlag threatened to take over.
The bed was enormous and very comfortable and we really appreciated the ipod dock.
We had a few glitches with lights and door locks but the staff helped out incredibly quickly - and we were never disturbed by the building work going on to finish the top floors.
As for its location - at only 10 mins from the subway and central Manhatten we couldn't fault it.
I want to come back and have breakfast on the roof - can't wait for that to be finished!
So thank you INK48 for making our stay so memorable.
Amazing! Can't wait to return!!
by TripAdvisor Member NLKLancashire
We stayed at Ink48 for 3 nights in September 2009, and as the first guests we were given the most amazing welcome!!
On arrival, there were about 10 members of staff to greet us, we were presented with a beautiful gift of guide books, biscuits, a beautiful vase of flowers, and an upgrade to two connecting room!
The hotel is gorgeous, very funky and trendy, as said before the restaurant, gym and bar areas were not yet finished, but this did not detract from how fabulous our stay here was. Our rooms were spacious, huge light airy windows, with the most amazing views of NYC!! Just perfect for our first time visit. The bathrooms were big, very clean, and the shower was fantastic. Also very appreciated was the complimentary L'Occitane toiletries, which were replenished every day.
The maid service was brilliant, the rooms were cleaned everyday, and were left spotlessly clean.
The staff at the hotel were beyond doubt the friendliest and most helpful staff I have ever encountered - especially Sam, Suzanne, and all of the concierges. The first morning we missed breakfast, and this was brought down to us in the lobby, even thought it had finished over half and hour before! Any advice or information we needed was attended to straight away.
As previous people have said, the hotel is situated about 10 minutes walk to Times Square, and its no problem to hail a taxi outside. We never felt unsafe walking about at night, however we stuck to main roads, as we would do in any area at night. Yes there is noise from the street - taxis, car horns, fire engines, but your in NYC, it all just added to the experience for us!!
We cannot wait to return, hoping to book again for next September!
Good at the sale price but not if your room is $600+
by TripAdvisor Member karimacdear
We decided to stay at Ink48 because they were offering a half-price deal during their initial opening. The night we stayed the hotel had only been open for a few days. The staff are friendly and genuinely interested in guest comfort. The bed was comfortable and the room was immaculate. Many items branded with the old VU logo, so not all is new at this purportedly NEW hotel.
We were promised a room on the 12th floor when we had our car parked in the a.m. (The valet was a great guy and the $55 charge is on par with other places) but when we went to check in it wasn't yet ready so we got a 4th floor room. Not sure why they couldn't explain this or why they wouldn't let us wait until the room was ready. They seemed eager for us to take the 4th floor room. Most of the lobby cordoned off during the day for some odd reason so there were only a handful of chairs for guests to sit in.
I would NEVER consider paying the regular price of $600 for the room we stayed in. The $300 sale price tag is comparable with other rooms in NYC and is a decent value while it is being offered. I hope they are offering full price payers a lot more. Even with the L'Occitane toiletries and LG HDTV on the wall, you can do just as well elsewhere. Hell's Kitchen will be a great neighbourhood someday, but the sketchy factor is definitely still there and there isn't much in the direct area. You can walk pretty easily to Restaurant Row or to Times Square if that is your thing...
Great for the current price, location has some pro's and con's
by TripAdvisor Member thebrad99
First trip to NYC and recently stayed here. We found the staff willing to work with you, trying to learn the neighbourhood and outgoing. The rooms are a good size, the view of Time Square makes you appreciate you are not staying right in the core, yet the walk at times can add 20 minutes to any reservation. Taxi's are always an option, yet walking is a great way to see and understand the city. The surrounding neighbourhood is safe, just not upkept. The price is worth the trade off on location.
Good value
by TripAdvisor Member cupcaker
I've never been to NYC before so I cannot compare rooms to other hotels. I can say, however, that as far as hotels go, it was better than average for the price. It is about a 15-20 minute walk from Times Square but only 10 minutes from the theaters. We stayed on the 8th floor facing the city and there was city noise but we were so tired from walking all day, it didn't wake us at night. The lighting in the bathroom is not great for make up but they do have a magnifying mirror. If you drive, beware: the valet is $65/day. Don't let them take your car, otherwise they will charge you $65 regardless if they have it for 5 minutes or 23.5 hours. Get a parking spot down the block for $20. The hotel parking is ludacris and they need to come down off their price.
The staff is nice and accommodating. The customer service is top notch.
Nice 1st impression
by TripAdvisor Member DJRob
"We've upgraded you!" Who doesn't love hearing that! I booked a Cityview Premier King under the Rough Draft opening rate. The "upgrade" was to a 14th floor suite.... but overlooking the river. I appreciated the upgrade, but after a number of visits to NYC, we'd never had a city view (usually a brick wall view). Michelle at the front desk seamlessly changed us to an 11th floor Cityview Jr. Suite. We didn't regret giving up a larger suite for this room--it had GREAT unobstructed views of Times Square overlooking 11th Ave. (however, the hotel is JUST at the wrong angle to see recognizable buildings like the Empire State or Rockefeller Center)
Oh.. and the bellman was incredibly friendly and apologetic after we entered the 14th floor suite to see it was 1. a river-front (which wasn't what we'd wanted) AND 2. that housecleaning still hadn't refreshed it from the previous guest! The staff is definitely the star of the hotel--even if they're just passing you or waiting at the elevator with you, they're striking up a natural, unforced conversation.
After staying at the Hudson Hotel (near Columbus Circle) a number of times with their postage-stamp sized bathroom, it was great having a double sink, shower AND tub. (The shower alone at Ink was the size of the Hudson's entire bathroom).
I've seen complaints here about ink 48's location. We found it GREAT! You walk down 48th street and in a few blocks you're right in the middle of Times Square. We were in the city for a concert at MSG--we walked to and from there. We walked another day up to Rockefeller Center, then up 5th Avenue and through Central Park (up to 72nd street). It was also great to walk through neighborhoods like Hell's Kitchen instead of staying directly in the midst of tourist central. We stopped into quite a few local neighborhood stores (read: they didn't carry "I heart NY" shirts!) It was a great taste of local flavor. Although I didn't get a chance to utilize it this visit, I liked the "runner's map" they had to show you great routes and distance markers along the river bike path for 2, 3 or 6 mile runs.
The complimentary breakfast (bagels, croissants, coffee and juice) was a nice move.
Room for improvement: The room rate was supposedly 48% off for the "rough draft opening." I booked for two nights at $265 a night. I think charging $500-$700 per night that I'm seeing on their rate calendar is simply insane. I've stayed at a Ritz-Carlton for MUCH less than their non-discounted rates. And although it's a nice hotel, it's NO Ritz-Carlton. They need to revise their full-price rates to be realistic. Although I have no complaints about service or accommodations, $265 is, hands-down, the most I'd spend to stay there again...and, $265 is hitting the ceiling of what I'd pay.
Also, small complaint: we could hear our neighbors raise and lower their blinds. it seems that to accommodate large windows, the walls are thinner near the window area. Nothing worse than hearing neighbors next door to ruin the feelings of privacy in your room!
I parked on my own at a garage a block away (at 49th St and 10th ave.) for $27 per day. I did that because I couldn't see the valet rate on their website. ... A good move considering another reviewer said valet was $65 per day. I'm sure with that $65 rate, the valet probably parked cars in the same garage that I was in!
And I agree with another reviewer who commented about the water bottle. The last few hotels I've stayed (and of comparable price points) have offered free bottled water. it seems to be a trend now in hotels. At Ink 48, there was a liter of Poland Springs on the shelf next to two glasses. Totally not even near the mini-bar. We thought it was complimentary... until on our last day, I looked at the mini-bar price list and saw that it was $7. They should put a note ON the bottle instead of burying the price in the snack drawer.
To summarize: Great hotel. Super friendly staff top-to-bottom, moderately spacious for NYC hotels with great views of city and river/NJ. The "48% off" rate is what they should charge all the time. $65 valet per day is off the charts insane.
I'd stay there again if I got a rate comparable to (or slightly less than) what I paid last weekend.
Great hotel, absolutely wonderful staff!
by TripAdvisor Member SisKish
My sister and I stayed here over this Columbus Day weekend. We loved the location as it was just 2-3 blocks from our brother's apt. We are walkers and walked everywhere - even all the way to Greenwich Village.
The staff was without doubt the nicest, friendliest and most helpful I have ever encountered and I used to work in the hotel industry. Stalin at the door was wonderful! It was great to be greeted with smiles from the doormen and front desk no matter what time of day we entered.
My only beef is that I made the reservation months ago and specifically asked for an upper floor to avoid street noise and was given a room on the 5th which was not high enough. Seeing other reviews it looks as if I should have insisted on another room but other than that, the stay was great.
Kimpton Hotels never dissappoint
by TripAdvisor Member 4_Travlin_Fools
My husband and I almost had to stay at another hotel chain, but INK 48 opened in time for our trip.
We were greeted with smiles and glasses of wine. Our view of the Hudson was great. There is a deli/coffee shop one block away.
Room and bathroom are roomy for NYC.
Splendid views
by TripAdvisor Member bholst
Stayed 3 nights at the brand new hotel. Got a Cityview king studio for 175$ and it was a bargain. The room a nice and big and well furnished. The views from my window were breathtaking. Getting up in the morning and being able to see the skyline was just perfect.
As for the neighbourhood I liked Hells Kitchen a lot. Staying in Hells kitchen gives you an oppurtunity to see a part of the real new york - there are not that many tourist and the walking distance to Times square is 10-15 minutes.
But the nicest thing about the hotel was the very friendly staff. When everybody is so friendly it is not a coincidence. it is simple Hotel policy - and thanks for that !
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Chrysler from Top of The Rock
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PECULIER PUB
Forum Posts
Meet Friends for New Yor City Trip - September 2010
by roggui
Hello,
I propose to share our holidays with people who want to discover New York city between 30th august and 10 september 2010, and to spend nice moments.
We are a group of three french persons (aged from 25 to 30 years old) who are looking for seeing much about historic monuments, walks around the city, the culture, and sightseeing. We like kind and open minded behaviour persons.
Normally we will also go to Boston or Washington for a few days during the trip.
P.S. : We are speaking english fluently no problem.
Re: Meet Friends for New Yor City Trip - September 2010
by Donna_in_India
Hi - you may be interested in taking a tour with a local. Check out www.bigapplegreeter.org/. The tours are free and you'll get to travel NY's distinctive neighborhoods with a local. Sorry, we'll be out of town at the time but maybe some of the other NYers would like to get together. Have a great time!
Re: Meet Friends for New Yor City Trip - September 2010
by Odinnthor
If you are trying to recruit people to be a part of the trip, to NYC, you are likely to want non New Yorkers for this right?
Best to try a travel buddy website, where people hjook up for just such a journey. Here is the best of the lot.
http://www.travbuddy.com/browse/users?gclid=COGJq8Szhp8CFQZfagod0jpAxQ
Re: Meet Friends for New Yor City Trip - September 2010
by roggui
Thanks Odinthor & Donna for your ideas appreciating this :-)
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