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Hotel Class: 
2.5 Stars - 2 Reviews and 405 Opinions
117 West 79th Street, New York City, New York, 10024, United States
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407 Opinions
toonsarah
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On this return visit to New York we wanted to stay somewhere a little smarter than the hostel we used last time round (good though that was), but we didn’t want to spend a fortune on a room we knew we would spend relatively little time in. My search for a bargain was long and thorough. Most of the budget options in mid-town looked pretty dismal, and our preferred downtown locations (Soho or the Village) were outside our price range. Looking further afield I came across the Park79, which at first glance doesn’t appear to be a budget option. A smart brownstone in a nice district just west of Central Park, it charges over $2,000 for a week in an en suite double. But on each floor it offers a few rooms described as “semi-private” at less than half that price. These have a wash-basin but no other facilities. Guests instead have the use of shared bathrooms, two on each floor. In our week there I never found both bathrooms occupied, and Chris only once had to go down to the floor below, so we found this a fairly small inconvenience when balanced against the saving we made.
Our room was small but had everything we needed (and some things we didn’t!) – a safe, A/C, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, TV. There were plenty of towels, though limited toiletries. Like most US hotels, no breakfast was provided, but there was complimentary coffee and tea available in the lobby every morning (which we never sampled). The location was great! The hotel is two blocks from two different subway stations, offering a choice of three lines. Two minutes’ walk took us to Amsterdam Avenue, with numerous restaurants and several friendly pubs. Even nearer was Columbus Avenue, with a good little coffee shop for our morning lattes and muffins. The neighbourhood overall felt very safe and pleasant.
In terms of value for money in an expensive city, this hotel really scores. The only down-side was the noise from the street, but that’s pretty inevitable in such a lively city. You could try asking for a room at the back, but I have a feeling that all these budget rooms may be at the front. So bring your ear-plugs, and enjoy your stay on the Upper West Side.
Park 79 Hotel Photo: Our bedroom
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Jase1177
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The stay here was pleasant enough to make me want to go back next time I go to NYC. The hotel is a small, 6-story hotel offering mainly shared bath facilities, but several ensuite rooms as well. The atmosphere is quaint but a little worn. The room we had included the bathroom with a remarkably large walk-in shower for such a small space. The room was sparse with just a double bed, side table/lamp, small chest of drawers, a clothes rack, and small bench. Although not the most oppulent, the furniture, bedding, and bathroom does look like the management makes an attempt.
I have read negative reviews on other sites but think the reviewers expect the Ritz for a $150 or less. Yes, the small elevator can be slow. The beautiful parquet floor in the hall can lend itself to footsteps, but I really didn't notice. Things were clean and the housekeeping occured daily (although at different times).
The neighborhood is a great area for a variety of likes. Central Park is one block over, two subway lines are within a couple minute walk, great restaurants/bars, and stores. If you are there on a Sunday, go to the flea market one block south on 78th at the school there from 10AM to 5PM. Some great finds, even if it isn't a large as some flea markets downtown.
I would definitely stay here again because it was decent enough in a great area for a good price. Beware of the grouchy older gentleman at the front desk at night :-)
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Went in April 2004 - The place is a dump. Dirty, lots of things broken and damaged (like windows that don't close), shower enclosure windows broken, No curtains, filthy carpet, electricity wires open etc etc - the list is endless. This place is a health hazard and should be closed down. Better to spend a bit more and get a decent place, you will regret staying in this place.
Just got back from staying at the Hayden and before we left, I read all the reviews (most of them negative!) so was expecting the worst when we got there. We stayed in 412 which has its own shower/toilet and although it was small and could have done with a lick of paint, it was clean, and met our needs. The lady at reception was very nice and the housekeepers were all very friendly (big shout to Yolanda!) English is not their first language (most of them are Hispanic) but they try and if you learn a bit of Spanish, (Hola and Gracias!) it goes a long way.
The room was cleaned everyday with fresh towels left and the sheets were changed a couple of times during our 5 night stay. We were looking for something cheap and clean and we got it. I would rather pay less on a hotel, considering the amount of time we spent in the room and save my pennies for shopping! great location, right next to central park and the subway is close too, with good shops and coffee bars right round the corner, will deffo go back there the next time we go to NY. The communal bathrooms were clean and they are slowly re-decorating the place. It is a safe clean cheap (by NY standard) hotel. Wide variety of people stay, and a few people we met had stayed there before....cant be that bad!!
The most filthy, disgusting, unsanitary hotel in which I have ever stayed. I would have been better off pitching a tent in Central Park. My room had no air conditioning, which they failed to mention on the website, and the temp. at night was in the low 90's. My room had mice (plural!!) and was full of roaches. The bathroom had holes in the walls allowing you to see right through the pipes and into your neighbor's room. The walls were paper thin. The door, which had huge cracks in it, was paper thin and not secure. I felt very unsafe. I checked out after staying one night!
MAY 18TH-21ST 2004 Having read the reviews, after I had paid in full for my three night stay through alpha-beds, I was dreading going to the Hayden. I became even more concerned after contacting a representative at alpha-beds as he said that he could not guarantee that the room would be clean...he said he had never been there so could not comment. I felt they should not advertise accommodation that failed to meet basic standards. If I'd cancelled I'd have lost £50 and anyway my visit was imminent and I was concerned that I wouldn't get anywhere else in the Upper Westside so I kept the reservation.
My son and I went equipped with bedding and towels and fearing the worst.
In the event the room (710) was clean, new carpet, new beds, nice enough furniture, nice pictures on the wall, clean bedlinen and towels, air conditioning unit and the staff were very nice...especially Jolande!
On the down side, the renovations are extensive and to a very poor standard...the bedhead was nailed to the wall and fell off when I attempted to move the bed, the sink in the room was attached to a leaking plastic pipe so all the water simply gathered in a cupboard underneath and after a couple of hot days began to smell, the drain in the shower was higher than the base so the water didn't drain properly and that too became offensive in the heat, the shower cabinet was very makeshift and the rail was hanging off. the general decor was pretty poor. the light could only be switched on by pulling on a ceiling cord that I (5'5) could not reach, fortunately my 6'2 son could....there were no other lights in the room.
In all I was greatly relieved that the Hayden was not as bad as we'd feared. However, I left feeling disappointed in the owner/ management that is sitting with such a gem in a great location and making such a hash of the renovations. Improvements that have been made will not last...the new mattresses had no protective covers and the plumbing fitments and workmanship were awful!
I(50+) might return but my 23 year old son most definately won't!!!!
I read the reviews for this hotel only after I had booked it for two nights. Let me tell you that I was scared to death about staying here, but after my arrival everything settled down. The renovations are currently in full swing -- I stayed on the fourth floor which already had the rooms redone. The halls are in flux, but so what? The bed was comfortable and the bathroom, while admittedly tiny, gave me plenty of hot water. The room itself was clean and tidy, dust- and bug-free. There was an in-room a/c unit that worked fine, although tourists in high summer might want to bring a small fan. I was not disturbed by noise or foul smells and felt safe in the room. For the price and the location, I thought this was reasonable. The management was nice, too, offering me a cough drop when my allergies kicked in upon arrival to NYC. Quite courteous. This place is definitely not the Ritz, but for budget-minded travelers who are traveling singly or in pairs, the hotel is a great place to hang your hat at the end of a long day of sight-seeing. It reminded me a bit of a pensione I stayed at in Florence, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
I was on a budget so the Hayden's price fit the bill. The hotel is in a very nice neighborhood with a number of places to grab a quick bit 24/7.
As I entered the lobby I was struck by the dingy dacor. The attendent was very curteous. I was informed that the elevator was out of service so I had to walk up to the secopnd floor. The halleay leading to my room was as dingy as the lobby. The walls had water stains and pieces of wall board was falling onto the floor. As I opened the door to my room it was very stark and reminded me of a college dormatory room. The television barly worked as there was no cable connection. The bed mattress was rock hard. The bed linen was clean. There was a sink in the middle of the room. I discivered later on that there was no bathroom in the room itself. There was a community bathroom down the hall.
Bottom line: If you want to save some money the Hayden is fine, however for me I will pay a little more and stay someplace else.
I'm still having nightmares! The room was what you would expect for the price, however, the constant circular sawing and drilling in the hall outside the room was not. We had originally intended to stay for 2 nights, however, after the toilet backed up and the elevator broke down within the first 30 mins we quickly made arrangements to move the next day. This meant of course that we had to carry/drag our luggage down 7 flights of stairs, but management was reasonable enough to not only give us a full refund for the 2nd night, but we managed to get the 1st night at half price...we had a very long list of complaints.
This was one of the worst hotels I've been in. We were meant to stay for two night but checked out after one. The lift did not work (we were on the 7th floor), you bathroom could barely fit the toilet, the shower had not been cleaned and consisted of two pieces of plastic (I would think the floors below would get rather damp), the room was falling apart and was dirty and the renovations noises went on constantly.
The only redeeming feature was then when we complained the rate was reduced for the night.
Ok, im here again enquiring about hotels. I ve visited the websites recommended to me on another post, and where very helpful: one was quikbook.com
I found these hotels, that look super and clean (in the images) and are 'cheap' compared to the city at least. 1st is: On the Ave. on broadway at 77th street. its about $180 per night. the other was Park 79 Hotel, 79th street Columbus Ave. with almost the same rate, and then Excelsior Hotel. I am afraid the reality is different from the images on the site here. anyone knows anything about them? it seems too good to be true!!
VT
I don't know Park 79, but of the choices you have I'd go with the Excelsior. The only negative I've heard was one person saying the staff wasn't friendly, which is not something that would concern me in the least. Location is fantastic. On the Ave is a great location too. I've seen some mixed reviews. The best reviewed hotel on the upper west side is the Lucerne, but that might be more expensive.
A good bargain hotel, always well reviewed, is the Newton. Also on the UWS and still pretty convenient, it's about a mile up Broadway from On the Ave. You might compare rates before you book anything.
Try www.tripadvisor.com. You will see alot of reviews on the hotels you mentioned.
Thanks. I have checked the reviews on many sites, but they are always mix reviews. some of them are 2 or 3 years old, so i thought of getting a recent updates on these hotels. sometimes im too skeptical, and i ask myself, maybe hotel owners log in and write great reviews of their hotels??
Thanks anyway. I think i will go for the Excelsior. it was cheaper than the rest, and location as great as the few others i checked.
take care all
VT
www.applecorehotels.com
I have booked for a few days next week at a hotel called The Moderne. Hope it's ok! I choosed this one due the location (west 55th), the price (about $150) and the fact of most reviews said it was clean (amazing that something that is just expected as a minumum in many other places, is a quality to hightlight in NYC)
Anyway, I just want to have a place to rest my head a few (not many) hours each night... I'll let you know how it goes.
On this return visit to New York we wanted to stay somewhere a little smarter than the hostel we used last time round (good though that was), but we didn’t want to spend a fortune on a room we knew we would spend relatively little time in. My search for a bargain was long and thorough. Most of the budget options in mid-town looked pretty dismal, and our preferred downtown locations (Soho or the Village) were outside our price range. Looking further afield I came across the Park79, which at first glance doesn’t appear to be a budget option. A smart brownstone in a nice district just west of Central Park, it charges over $2,000 for a week in an en suite double. But on each floor it offers a few rooms described as “semi-private” at less than half that price. These have a wash-basin but no other facilities. Guests instead have the use of shared bathrooms, two on each floor. In our week there I never found both bathrooms occupied, and Chris only once had to go down to the floor below, so we found this a fairly small inconvenience when balanced against the saving we made.
Our room was small but had everything we needed (and some things we didn’t!) – a safe, A/C, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, TV. There were plenty of towels, though limited toiletries. Like most US hotels, no breakfast was provided, but there was complimentary coffee and tea available in the lobby every morning (which we never sampled). The location was great! The hotel is two blocks from two different subway stations, offering a choice of three lines. Two minutes’ walk took us to Amsterdam Avenue, with numerous restaurants and several friendly pubs. Even nearer was Columbus Avenue, with a good little coffee shop for our morning lattes and muffins. The neighbourhood overall felt very safe and pleasant.
In terms of value for money in an expensive city, this hotel really scores. The only down-side was the noise from the street, but that’s pretty inevitable in such a lively city. You could try asking for a room at the back, but I have a feeling that all these budget rooms may be at the front. So bring your ear-plugs, and enjoy your stay on the Upper West Side.
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Address: 117 West 79th Street, New York City, New York, 10024, United States
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