The hotel overlooks Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center Towers used to be, and in your room you hear the construction noise from the work that is going on to build something new there. It starts early, even on the weekends.
This was the first time that I had been back to the hotel since 9/11. The hotel rooms were renovated after it and are well designed and equipped, especially for the business traveller which I guess due its location are the main guests.
The desk for working at has a proper work chair which makes a huge difference. There is a great, modern coffee making machine (which I wish more hotels had) and a really huge flat screen TV. The bed is large but not as comfortable as those at the Sheraton or Westin.
There is a surprising lack of choice of places to eat or drink. There is only a very small bar in the lobby and one restaurant on the 3rd floor (which did a satisfactory but not stunning buffet). There is a fitness centre but I did not get to it on this trip.
The hotel is right next to the famous Century 21 discount label department store and an easy 10 minute walk to South Street Sea Port area with its shops and museums and the major drop off and pick up for the round Manhattan bus tours. But overall, it is not a very handy destination for tourists as far from the shopping areas and Central Park etc.
Overall, I liked the room a lot but the noise of construction did wake me up earlier than I would have liked so was glad my stay was so short.
When the World Trade Center was across the road there was much better eating and shopping etc, and sure there will be again.
You can often get good deals at the hotel as the construction puts a lot of people off. It is not massively troublesome but more of a minor distraction in reality.
I have stayed at the hotel twice now in the last 6 months. Once in a regular room and once was upgraded to a Junior Suite.
Video of the Junior Suite (watch on youtube: click here)
