I have been to New York City twice (I love it) the first time I went was with friends and I did not have a lot to do with the arrangements and bookings, we stayed in a hotel quite far away from mid town.
The second time I visited I went with my mum, who had never been and I'd decided we needed somewhere central, although Manhattan isn't massive you want to be near all the touristy bits and pieces.
So after looking around I decided being in the thick of it probably wasn't an option as it was all quite expensive. Then I found the Pennsylvania, opposite Madison Square Garden's and Penn Station, 2 blocks from Macy's, 2 blocks west of the Empire State Building, I thought it was great and had many more attractions around the corner.
It's actual location is west 32nd and 7th. I love the way they say it, sounds all New York like.
So with it all booked,
I bumped in to my cousin, my cousin who had just come back from New York and stayed in the Pennsylvania Hotel, and he and his wife hated it. Said all the paint work was coming away, the bathrooms were out of date, they actually changed rooms three times. I thought oh great!
I am not a fussy traveller, I travel to see places so am not bothered too much by accommodation as it is just somewhere to rest my head and grab a shower. I prepared my mum and we expected the worse. (and it was too expensive to change hotels).
We booked the hotel with a flight and all in all paid £450 each for a return flight with Virgin to JFK and 5 nights' accommodation in the Pennsylvania, I think it was very reasonable, you may have your own thoughts.
~The actual hotel~
It has 1700 rooms and is the fourth largest hotel in New York City. The hotel was purpose built in 1919. A grand 90 years old. The front of the hotel is flat and gives the impression that it is a square building, it isn't, it is forked and looks like a large W but with an extra fork, this is great as it keeps the rooms in the 'forks' quiet. New York is a loud city and the roads are busy all the time.
The hotel houses a large entrance with concierge, the check in/receptionist desk is quite large with many desks, it was quite busy but we got checked in within 10 minutes. What was really weird is the girl behind the desk asked where we were from and we said England, and for some reason my mum said oh near Watford and it turns out the American girl had been working at our local hospital, it was so weird!
The hotel has a coffee shop (they sell the best hot chocolate in the world, as well as peanut butter cookies), there is a luggage room available, a fitness centre, 2 restaurants, a newsstand, and a travel desk for shuttle transfers, tickets, attractions and advice. My mum and I stayed in a twin room, they are all relatively samey, the rooms include:
Private bathroom, with bath and shower Air conditioning Telephone Clock radios Colour television with 'cable' and pay preview films Iron and ironing board Key card Desk 2 king size beds Hair dryer
The hotel was clean and the room was not that bad, we were told on check in that half of the hotel was under renovation, this was not the half we were in. The room was ok, the paint work did look a bit old, and near the door it was starting to peel, but nothing too bad, it's not as if there was damp in the room or a draft from the window. The beds were really comfy and I slept like a baby. The bathroom was clean although the tiles were a bit mis-coloured where they had aged. Nothing horrible at all, and for the price, I would say it was very reasonable. The room wasn't massive, I mean the two beds took up a lot of room but it was fine, and with a large window to let the light in.
I have not booked direct with hotel before but would definitely consider it in the future, also look out for deals, they are always running offers. The website is very easy to navigate and has a lot of information.
Since I have been to the Pennsylvania I understand it has now finished being renovated and is a lot nicer inside.
I would recommend it and next time I go to New York I will be staying here.
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It always seems to be renovated, when I stayed there in the mid 90s they also tried to fob me off with not refurbished room but sorted it very quickly when I complained about broken light fittings, broken bedside tables etc
Across from Madison Square Garden and within walking distance of popular New York City ... more
attractions, this historic hotel offers comfortable guestrooms along with an on-site tour and reservations desk.Hotel Pennsylvania is situated seconds from Amtrak's ...
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Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Jul 2nd, 2009
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