Gothic chic for the inner goddess (Night Hotel (New York, USA))

Member Name: CAFCGirl

Product:	Night Hotel (New York, USA)
Date:	18/12/08 (120 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything was stunning, and original scheme

Disadvantages: Booking seperately was more expensive.No restaurant on site

Two visits to New York in 2008, and we used the same hotel on both occassions.

We first booked this hotel via Expedia with our entire holiday package, and for 7 nights stay in mid march we pay just shy of £1k each, including flights and hotel.

We got a taxi from the airport directly to our hotel which took around 40 mins. When we reached our hotel, I was already impressed. A large heavy door opens automatically using the disabled button, which the doorman, who had already got our bags and greeted us, walked us through, a large second plate glass window takes you to reception.

The hotel is decorated in a black and white modern day gothic with elements of very soft fetish look in some of the photographic prints on the walls. These however are all in really good taste, but if you're a real prude, you'll probably be offended.

There is a lounge style area in the window bay of the reception, where you can wait to meet people for your trip out. The reception desk is about four strides in, and the staff here are gorgeous! Not uber-model gorgeous but just really gorgeous, every day kind of people. I had a brief thought that given the styling of the hotel it might be a bit pompous with an air about it, but I was really surprised and thankful that they were really heartfelt, warm in their tone and language and really helpful. Nothing was pushy or overbearing, we were given electronic key-cards, one for each person in the room, and the doorman was taking our bags up with us.

My (now) husband and I needed to haul ass (their term) to City Hall to get our marriage license, as you have to wait 24 hours before your ceremony can take place. We got to the hotel at 2:30pm and needed to have our forms completed and in at 3:15, so not having a clue where we were going and 45 minutes to get there was a push! The doorman was so helpful, beyond the call of duty really. he grabbed us a map, circled where we were and drew onto the map where we needed to go, wrote the subway stops and line and directed us on our way from the door.

We came out of the hotel and turned left. Now heres where I dont agree with the official blurb of the location of the hotel, its not minutes from Times Square, its seconds!
I could not believe it, I literally walked about 40 steps, and we were in Times Square, the hustle and bustle, the noise, the traders, the tourists!

Thanks to the great directions and help from the doorman, we made it to City Hall and back to the hotel. The staff had very kindly put our bags into our room and when we got back, the doorman even enquired as to how we got on!

The hotel is relatively small in size but it makes up for not being a big big name, by instead having oodles of style, ambience and comfort.
We used the lift to the 7th floor where our room was, and entered in.
The rooms are fantastically well decorated. There is no deviation from the black and white theme. The bed was truly opulent with a headboard that hit the ceiling in black leather, the duvets and sheets were freshly laundered that day (I could still smell that fres laundry fragrance), the bed was made to perfection and I just sank into it. They dont skimp on the quality of products, wit big fluffy pillows and duvets as opposed to scratchy sheets!
The bathroom mirrors the feel of the hotel, with floor to ceiling black tiles, and rainforest shower heads. I honestly thought I was in a film!

The towels were stunningly soft, and the whole bathroom was spick and span, like it had only just been put in. The toiletries (complementary) are Molten Brown,and are replenished every morning.
You also have a mini bar but as with most mini bars these are very expensive. So I wouldnt even bother with those.

I dont really know what else I can say about this hotel really. Its was stunning, the decor was mind blowing. Its a theme hotel but it doesnt feel cheesy, or over-done, or cliched. Actually I dont know if theme is the right phrase..... all I know is it's got bags of style, but not in a pretentious way.
The staff were fantastically helpful, and will gladly organise show tickets, dinner bookings or car hires.
The only downside (if you view it as one) is that there is not a restaurant on site. I actually consider this as plus, as New York is the City to be explored, there is so much choice right on your doorstep in Times Square alone, and I think running a restaurant in the hotel would be a tough cookie, as the colour scheme would have to continue, and the space could be an issue.

The hotel does have a bar area which did get busy for two or three of the night we were there but once in your room, even one floor up (where my parents were staying) you can hear anything from downstairs.

You cant hear your neighbour, or the corridor noise, the heating and air con was all in perfect working order.
I cant recommend this hotel enough, hence why we didnt even look at another hotel for our second trip. Im glad to say nothing was any different, the staff were just as lovely, and to top it all off, the doorman even remembered us, and asked how married life was!
Now that says a lot about service!

Also just remembered, the hotel listing on expedia said no breakfast but both times we have been there has been a cold buffet breakfast laid on free of charge from 7am till 10am.
I read on another review that someone moaned about this! Considering we werent expecting anything (as per the listing) this was pretty good for us and a nice selection and good quality too!

Summary: Not an ounce of doubt on where we'll be staying next time!