Paramount, An Ian Schrager Hotel, New York City, NY - Reviews and Hotel Information

I stayed at the Paramount hotel recently (2007) during the Book Expo America convention in NYC. The Paramount was a place that we got a good deal via priceline.

The thing about the Paramount is that it's just a little "off center", a little bit "nutty". If you say zig, they want to zag, so to speak. The decor is very moody, lots of candles amid austere cement walls. The furnishings, both in the lobby and in the rooms, is just a bit strange. In my photos, please notice the lobby chair embroidered with a Rottweiler snarling. Hmmm, not sure about that. I guess it's one of those artistic things that I just don't quite get.

In the rooms, they have black and white carpet, patterned in large checks. The bathroom sink is a strange looking large metal cylinder item. On the plus side, the older fashion shower and tub must have been installed before the water police took over.... plenty of water pressure, and LOTS of nice, hot water. Yes.

The beds are set lower to the floor, and the headboards are done as sideways "gallery picture frames". Again, just a little bit nutty.

There are four elevators, all featuring a different lighting color scheme. It's tough to see the buttons in the blue elevator. Again, a little bit nutty.

Summing up, the Paramount is reasonably comfortable. The front desk is helpful and friendly. And the location in the 200 block of W 46th Street is great, just off Times Square. It's not my first choice of a hotel in Midtown West, but it'll do.

Crazy room decor, and even crazier lobby decor. (See photos below)

Comfortable rooms with GREAT soundproofing...you barely hear the street. And, you don't hear a thing from the thump-thump woofers in the bar at lobby level.

Speaking of bars, there are two. The lobby level bar is done in all black, with colored tissue and colored light accents. There is also a lot of chalk writing all over the walls with strange messages of some kind. The sound system kicks butt, sounds really good...they play a nice variety of good rock and 80s stuff. The Police, Simple Minds, Gwen Stefani, etc. And amazingly, you CAN'T hear the noise in your room.

There is also a more sedate bar on the mezzanine level, and you can also get food. Morning breakfast can happen at this location as well, although I never partook.

As with most Manhatten hotels, there isn't enough room in the rooms. But the Paramount gets a big plus for having strong water pressure and lots of hot water. :)

Bell hops are especially helpful and pleasant.

The Paramount does have WiFi, but as you'd expect in NYC, it's ridiculously priced at $15.95 per day. THE BIGGEST REASON to skip buying WiFi is that it is the "b" band version, not the higher speed and effectiveness "g" version. I found it only a little bit better than a good dialup for my purposes. Go around the corner and hit Starbucks with your lappie if you need to hit the 'net.

Paramount, An Ian Schrager Hotel, New York City

Paramount, An Ian Schrager Hotel

New York City Hotels