Best Western Manhattan, New York

The Best Western Convention Center is situated in the heart of downtown NYC, on West 38th Street and of course run by the Best Western chain.
Three friends and I went to New York in April 2004, and since we were all just high school students, our budget was not too huge. We'd heard about Hells Kitchen as being one of the hottest spots in NYC so we were keen to stay there, but we did not select the Convention Center personally.
We paid ...
...first impression of the hotel was not great - it certainly wasnt a palace on the outside. We're used to staying in 5* hotels so perhaps we were a bit biased, but we were all prepared to slum it, so we stuck a smile on our faces and marched in. The first thing I noticed was the smell of smoke, but it was clean.
After a slow check in, we lugged our bags (with no bellhop evident) to our room. The four of us were staying in the same room, with ... more

The Best Western Convention Center is situated in the heart of downtown NYC, on West 38th Street and of course run by the Best Western chain.
Three friends and I went to New York in April 2004, and since we were all just high school students, our budget was not too huge. We'd heard about Hells Kitchen as being one of the hottest spots in NYC so we were keen to stay there, but we did not select the Convention Center personally.
We paid around £50 per night, and stayed for three nights. Our first impression of the hotel was not great - it certainly wasnt a palace on the outside. We're used to staying in 5* hotels so perhaps we were a bit biased, but we were all prepared to slum it, so we stuck a smile on our faces and marched in. The first thing I noticed was the smell of smoke, but it was clean.
After a slow check in, we lugged our bags (with no bellhop evident) to our room. The four of us were staying in the same room, with two double beds. Now, this room was seriously dingy. It had ugly, non fuctional curtains and the room seemed permanently dim. There was a small television and and a bare-essential bathroom (between 4 teenage girls, thats not so great!)
The room was poorly furnished and the bedsheets werent very comfortable, but again it seemed clean at least. The next morning, we ate breakfast in the communal breakfast room, American-style. This means eating pastries on plastic plates, stuck on stools facing a TV showing Jerry Springer. It was the only hotel we'd been to where you could watch TV while you ate, but it was nice and casual in a way.
We set off exploring the next day, and I must commend the hotel on its location. In the area right next to to the hotel, it is quiet and there are just auto shops and stuff, but it was a safe area. I never felt threatened when I chatted on the phone box on my own at the end of the road at night. There was a great flea market very close by, and the subway was ten minutes away. Times Square was 4 1/2 blocks away. When we returned from the baking sun, we were pretty thirsty, but the reception had no change for the vending machines. Great. The staff were pretty friendly, - hey, everyone in NYC was friendly! - but for future notice, room service? Not an option.
The hotel doesnt have an bonus amenities like a pool or spa, but fair enough, space is low in NYC. There was an 'exercise area', we were told, but we didnt get chance to check it out. Maybe it was great; I just dont know, to be fair.
At the end of our stay, the reception arranged a minivan to take us to the airport. It was a bit late and we were all getting worried, but it did turn up. A couple of bellhops suddenly did appear, and took care of our luggage.
£50pn is good in New York, I'm aware, and you do have to look at the hotel as 'you get what you pay for', but in that case I'd shell out a little more if you can afford it. It wasnt a total hole, but my friends and I werent impressed. I wouldnt recommend the hotel to anyone coming to stay in New York.
 

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