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Hotel Algonquin
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Midtown East
59 W 44th Street
(between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas)
New York, NY 10036
(212) 840-6800
59 W 44th Street
(between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas)
New York, NY 10036
(212) 840-6800
- Nearest Transit:
-
42nd St-5th Ave-6th Ave (7, B, D, F, V)
Times Square-42nd St (1, 2, 3, S, 7, N, Q, R, W, A, C, E)
- Price Range:
-
$$$
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37 reviews for Hotel Algonquin
If you like a bit of history to go with your hotel, then this is five-stars, not four.
When we lived in NYC and the NYC area, we'd meet here for drinks after work. Now that we only visit NY, we've stayed here a few times and always loved it. You can't beat the location, near Broadway, subways, and restaurants. Service is excellent. The rooms were recently upgraded and they're good, not great.
But the reason to be here is the bar area in the lobby lounge. It's been famous for 70, 80 years, maybe longer, as the hangout for the literary crowd. You still see those types and get that feeling. It also has a loyal following of clientele who you can tell are regulars. It's just an excellent drinking, people watching, relaxing and soaking up old-NYC place to be.
I heart Dorothy Parker. She has been my idol since I was 12, when I discovered a cousin's old, dusty, beat-up collection of essays that was left moldering in a corner. I poured over that book, and my life was forever changed. Up to this point, I had secretly read "Handmaiden's Tale" and "Animal Farm", and my impressionable mind was starting to realize that there was a different world beyond the one of my parents' ultra conservative Chinese household. But in Dorothy Parker, I found something new. Something different, funny and slightly subversive without hiding the message in a crazed dystopian future or amongst talking pigs and angsty donkeys! Here was a female writer that could be funny and witty while getting her message across! My mother would have never approved - which just made her that much more delicious.
So it should come as no surprise, that when a friend of mine met up with us at Bryant Park on a blustery afternoon, and recommended that head over to the Algonquin for a drink to get out of the cold...I nearly ran over a platoon of tourists to get there.
It was everything I had pictured and more. The lobby bar of the Algonquin was set up to have several small seating areas with mellow lamps and marvelously ancient arm chairs. Everything was a little mismatched, yet blended together with a charming quaintness. A delicious step back into time.
We are promptly seated, and as the rest of our party arrived, the servers were very prompt to come by to make sure that there we were fine with our seating, and to take drink orders. In fact, they were quite adorable and charming, when I whipped out my camera and asked them to take pictures of us (as each new member of our party arrived). Heh...I love servers who are used to crazed Asian tourists!
Ah. The drinks. So, I realize that I'm in Manhattan - in an legendary and celebrated hotel bar, but still, I was mildly aghast at the $18 martinis. Don't get me wrong, I still slurped down two martinis without batting an eyelash. Hell, I was at the Algonquin, perhaps sitting at the very spot where Dorothy Parker could have once gotten drunk. Dare I dream the impossible dream - she might have even gotten sick in the very chair in which I was perched! So yeah, I was quite happy in shelling out the $18 for the "Parker", a martini created in her honor. But outside of the Algonquin, I must sadly admit, the "Parker", was no $18 martini.
So I give the Algonquin a solid 4 stars for the service, the history, the possibility that I got to stand where Dorothy Parker once stood. However, outside of the glamour and the rich and opulent history, the pricey drinks was a little disappointing. But really, the drinks are just the frosting on the cake...this is the Algonquin, where the (in)famous Algonquin Round Table used to meet for lunch...what more does a hotel bar ever need to have?
My boyfriend and I hotel hopped during our trip to NYC in order to see each neighborhood, The Algonquin was our second stop. This hotel is in a great location, near Times Square, and is convenient in general. The room we were given was small and had a view of air handling units - but it was very quiet and cozy! The king beds and linens were very comfortable. The bathroom was a little small, but the room was so nice that it didn't seem to matter.
The décor of the hotel was very cozy and made me feel like I was at a bed and breakfast. They even have a cat named Matilda that roams the hotel; I thought that was a nice touch. This was our favorite hotel during our stay.
I might have been more charmed by the (admittedly very pretty) cat if I weren't explosively allergic. But the bar doesn't disappoint, although you will pay a hefty price for the history and atmosphere. For $17-$18 a drink, the cocktails had better be pretty damned good. Luckily, the Hotel Algonquin doesn't disappoint, at least as far as the classics are concerned. My martini was pitch perfect, as was my friend's old-fashioned. A good portion of the menu is given over to simple recipes named for writers, both those who once famously held court at the hotel and also those who didn't. They're all pretty solid bets. A nice, elegant option if you happen to be stranded in the neighborhood for some reason.
Better half and myself stayed here for Labor Day last year; we came for Toronto Blue Jays game, one of the last at the original Yankee Stadium.
We stayed here for 4 days and 3 nights and thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance. We arrived on a Thursday early in the day and were greeted by Matilda in her little throne and helpful bellman and desk staff.
Our room wasn't ready as we had an early afternoon flight; they kept our luggage, tagged it and held it for us while we went to get something to eat.
When we returned, check in was easy and our room was more than comfortable. No noise from the hallway, nice sized bathroom and comfortable bedding and fluffy, thirsty towels.
Although an older hotel, it is quite comfortable - we spent time in the bar and the hotel lounge enjoying our $15-18 martini's. The location of this hotel makes it walking distance to ANYTHING (2 blocks) in Times Square. A Native New Yorker who usually stays w/ friends/family, we stayed here to splurge just a little and take in it's history. Rooms were good size IMO as we got the room elsewhere (not from their site directly, I think it was PriceLine...)
All in all we had a romantic time away from Wisconsin and spent an equal amount of time in and out of the room...
I booked the Algonquin last minute to come up to NY for some job interviews. I got a sweet deal on http://easyclicktravel... and I was happy.
I had to be in NY EARLY (i left on the 6 AM. flight from Dallas). I was nervous that I wasn't going to have a place to freshen up. Check-in time is 3 PM. and I got there around noon...my interview was at 1 PM. I explained my situation apologetically, and they were super accomodating...kudos!
My room was teeny, but hey, this is NY. Plus I was by myself, and I got my sweet deal, so I was happy. The bathroom appealed greatly to me. I think it was the decor that I loved...it was soothing. Ha ha. My bed was comfy, which means something coming from me because I have the back of an 85 yr old. The room was freezing which I loved because it puts me to sleep quicker.
Downside: Minor, but worth mentioning. I could never get my hands on a proper working steamer. The iron kept pooping out on me. But since I am well-versed in textiles, I steamed up my bathroom via shower and rolled with it. Also, I know Algonquin is a NY gem, but the elevators need updating in a major way. They take FOREVER to call. My view from my room was also meh. I was staring into other windows...but like I said, it's NY!
This review is for the restaurant and not the hotel..i didn't stay in the hotel but I did eat at the restaurant tonight and my meal was amazing. My mother printed out a $25 coupon she bought for $2 from http://restaurant.com and so we went for what we thought would be an ok evening out.
When you order entrees, they come with two side dishes. I ordered the filet mignon with broccli rabe and lobster mashed potatoes and my mom got salmon with heirloom tomatoes, spinach and squash risotto. The risotto was heavy (like all risotto) and the rabe was a bit off but the rest of the food was AMAZING! Definitely one of the better meals I've had this entire year.
Sp get your coupon, order the lobster mashed potatoes and go TOMORROW.
*** review for the restaurant - not the Oak Room or hotel
I had a pre-theater meal here. There's no denying that the ambiance of the lobby and restaurant is very nice. The New Yorker artwork and wood paneling makes the feel for the place very classic.
I got the pre-fixed meal ($39/pp). The caesar salad was on the weaker side - too creamy and not fresh tasting. My salmon was very nice, though, and the potatoes were just perfectly seasoned.
I am certain the price comes from the history of the building; I'm not sure I'd want to spend that much again. Nonetheless, I had a very memorable meal here. It's hard to believe it's right near Times Square!
I love staying at historic hotels and I really loved the Algonquin. Nothing like relaxing with a cocktail in a world famous, wood paneled lounge with luxury service. Even the continental breakfast was outstanding - not the usual cheese on toast.
Yes the hotel is older, and some of the furnishings are not as modern as you would find at say a Marriot. But the beds are just as heavenly as the Westin. I travel to NYC on business once a month (which is brutal) and I would definitely stay here again. The rooms are an average size for NYC, (ie small) but more than comfortable. I stayed in room 802 and I slept soundly. I heard no noise as some of the other Yelpers complained about.
I used to live in NYC and cannot believe I never met anyone for drinks at the Alogonquin. Its sexy, secluded lounge is buzzing with well dressed New Yorkers sipping on brandy Alexanders. I bet many a clandestine romance has taken place within these walls.
We stayed at the Algonquin last weekend for my birthday.
Likes:
-Great location
-Good deals (through websites like Hotwire)
-Historic
-Clean rooms
-Free wifi
-Matilda the cat! (she's a total princess but gorgeous nonetheless) :0)
Dislikes:
-Expensive food/drinks (all cocktails = $17!)
-Very small rooms
If you're not planning on staying in the room very much and need a central NYC location, the Algonquin is perfect. But if you do like spending a bit of time in your hotel (and/or like your space), I would suggest something more modern. I understand though that this is pretty much your typical Midtown hotel.
A perfect gem of a historic hotel in New York. Excellent location and as non-generic as it gets. The whole hotel is an historic landmark, owing to its history as a literary hangout, and you certainly get that feel while hanging in the bar. Thanks to a recent renovation, the rooms are up to snuff: not large enough to hang out in, but this is NY, people: you should be out and about.
Of course, if you are there for work, as I usually am, the room has a good size desk, wifi, and is quiet enough to get things done.
Plus I love Matilda, the cat, hanging out on the front desk while I was checking in and out.
Keep your generic Sheraton's and pretentious W's. This is my hotel of choice in Manhattan.
Algonquin is definitely a historic landmark of its own. It's a classy hotel with friendly staff! I had a small, classic room with one bed.. which I don't recommend for more than 2 people to stay in. Not much room for hanging out, but definitely good for what it's used for. The bed was very comfy and you can tell the room was renovated.. wifi, flat screen tv, decor, etc.
The hotel is located near Times Square and 5th Avenue, which was definitely ideal for me! The subway is nearby at 42nd and Bryant and it was easy to catch a cab each time we needed one.
If you see a good deal for this hotel, take advantage of it!
In all the years that I have traveled to NY, I had never stayed in the Times Square area. That changed when I booked a room at the Algonquin.
Although the Algonquin is in the vacinity of times Square, it's far enough down on 44th to give guests a cushion from the crowds.
My room overlooked the courtyard so street noise was not an issue.
Although the room was kind of small (typical for a hotel this old) the cushy bed and flat screen TV made up for the lack of space.
The lobby is dimly lit and full of beautiful antiques.
MatiIda is the resident cat. Really never saw Matilda walk. She was always lounging around. Has anybody seen Matilda walk?
The staff was great. I was staying here alone so they really looked after me. The bell hop gave me the grand tour. I believe he has been working at the hotel since the fifties?
I really enjoyed staying here.
-2 blocks away from Bryant park = easy subway access
-near times square... but you never have to go IN times square if you don't like crowds of people= awesome
-can have drinks in hotel lobby until midnight= refreshing
-comfort, cleanliness, late checkout and nice staff= all i am looking for in an NYC hotel
only downside... i think our bed was really a full, though they said it was a queen.
will definitely go back.
I stayed at the Algonquin for 5 days during a business trip. It was a classy place. The first time you see that the wallpaper is made up of old New Yorker comics you're really excited, but the excitement wears off after the first day. I found the lobby bar to be on the stuffy side. There's nothing better than getting to your hotel in the afternoon and being hit in the face with the stink of pretentiousness.
Taking my entire stay into consideration, I really liked this place. You can't beat being a block and a half from Times Square. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars was because of the wait for the elevators. It was such a pain to wait for the elevators! I was on the 7th floor and didn't really want to take the trek -- until I got tired of waiting for over 3 minutes for an elevator. Come on, it's an elevator! This thing is supposed to make life easier -- not more complicated.
Matilda was absolutely charming. How can you not love a cat that just lounges at the lobby all day? When I checked in I was given the password to the free wifi (awesome!), and the password was "matilda." I thought it was pretty tacky for this front desk girl to be flirting with me by using her name as my wifi password. Reality smacked me in the face when I saw all of the Matilda paraphernalia by the elevator.
I'm staying at the Algonquin on my next NYC trip.
I generally like staying in historic hotels, and don't mind the small rooms. But this was a bit too tight for me. There was barely room for me to pass in between the bed and the wall, going to the teeny bathroom. I thought I got a deal on Expedia ($169) but it looks like I got what I paid for. The linens were quite luxurious though, and I slept well in spite of the noise in the hallway (room doors banging, other guests walking to their room, etc) and my room had a breath-taking view of... the construction outside. The location was great, though, so I would recommend this hotel if you are able to get a rate not higher than $169... otherwise, you're better off staying at a newer one with the same 4-star rating.
I'm not cool enough to have actually stayed here yet, but I did get some champagne (actually Prosecco) in the lobby bar.
The place is beautiful - very upscale and comfortable. I always feel rich when I have a drink here. Then I walk to Penn Station and take the train to Newark and I am quickly put back in my place...
You know that scene in "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle," where Dot looks up at the waiter and asks for half a drink because that's all she can afford at the time?
Well, I would love to try that here, but I won't, because I don't think that flies anymore. Anyway, I love to live beyond my means. I would make Oscar Wilde proud!
Some of my favorite late afternoons and early evenings have been spent here with friends, and the talk always turns to our ambitions (most of my friends are writers, too), and I don't know if we are conjuring up the spirit of the long-gone round table rulers, but I always feel like yeah, I can achieve just that--finish my damned book already, get a fabulous book deal and success, success, success!!
Or, a glamorous alcohol problem and bankruptcy.
For a hotel famous for being the place where Dorothy Parker and other great writers gathered to write and share their prose, this place sure is hostile to writers. Maybe it's the laptop. It isn't as elegant as a notebook and fountain pen. Or a typewriter.
But seriously, I thought it would be a beautiful idea to go with one of my writer friends to the Algonquin lobby to write and soak up some famous literary ghostiness. The writing went well that afternoon, but the hotel itself attempted to defeat us.
There is free wifi in the lobby. But to sit in said lobby, you need to buy something to drink or eat. If you don't, the waitresses will come by every five minutes to either see if you want anything or glare. GLARE! I mean, come on, Dorothy Parker says leave the penniless writers alone!
My companion and I decided to order the fruit & cheese plate, if only to stop the glaring. We figured it would be big enough for both of us at $25.
Oh, it is to laugh.
The food that arrived at our table was so hilarious we very nearly laughed in our poor, glaring server's face. So chuckle-worthy that my companion insisted I take a picture of it. (I uploaded it to Yelp for you to laugh along with us. The little yellow thing on the left is my risotto, not included in the $25.)
Here's the best part -- I could have forgiven the small portions if maybe the cheese had been seriously gourmet and fancy and the crackers imported from Iceland. Hell, it would have been worth it had ANY of the fruit been organic.
But not.
Pepperidge farm crackers, cheese I swear I could buy at a Fine Fare, and fruit that still tasted like pesticide.
$25 people.
I cannot imagine what folks pay to actually stay in this hotel or how much they are being screwed over.
Or maybe they just gave US the low-rent cheese plate because we obviously did not belong in the hotel.
To top it off, we ended up sitting near the doors of the piano bar and caught some of the private show going on in there. From what we could hear, it was every cliche of piano bar music that you can imagine, including the cliche that piano bar music is bad. Ah well, this is what headphones are for.
Despite the utter madness of the fruit plate, we had an excellent afternoon. And my risotto was pretty tasty. We both got some writing done and managed to ignore the further glares of the waitress.
The thing I wish, though, is that they were welcoming of writer types. I am considering sending them a little note asking if I can establish a new literary tradition there with my writer friends. A round table, a few outlets, and the happy clicking of keyboards as we usher in a new wave of fiction.
Or maybe we will stick to Starbucks.
Can't vouch for the rooms at the Algonquin but can confirm the other Yelpers is that this is a classy but EXPENSIVE place for drinks.
The lobby screams old New York...low light, dark wood and clubby furniture. Since it is in midtown, has the strong connection to Dorothy Parker connection, it is a decent place to meet people and chill with like minded literati. The drink menu is extensive but priced high. Still, this is New York and how many other schlubs can imbibe alcohol while soaking up the bitchy spirit of Ms Parker? Bite the bullet, have a stiff one and have a good time....it is New York for crying out loud!
Confessions of a former B&T NON-Hoochie Mama:
Yes, it's true, despite my knowledge about the subway and the history of the cupcake (cf: MTA / Magnolia reviews), I have not always been a resident of this great city (used to live in Nyack... which people, judging me from my brown skin, thought was my mispronunciation for New York - HA HA - fools).
So, for my 26th birthday, my husband organized a weekend in the city; a nice dinner, an evening at the Opera, and a stay at the Algonquin.
I fell in love with the Algonquin... It's a hotel with character (I think it's the oldest one in NYC). Many a literary genius has stayed here... it's where Dorothy Parker met with her vicious circle, it's where My Fair Lady was written, it's where the New Yorker was born (which is why New Yorker cartoons are the wallpaper in the hallways). Seriously, if I could afford it, I would become a long-term guest at this place and write my dissertation here. I'm sure the spirits of all the literary greats that have stayed here would help me get through it!
It's also a great Jazz venue. The famous Oak Room is where Diana Krall made it big. And the Blue Bar is one of the nicer hotel bars.
The rooms are small but comfortable. It's a bit on the expensive side; but they have good deals every now and then and if you're an out-of-towner or even a B&T-er and want a real New York experience, this is the place to stay.
unday afternoon, we saw 33 Variations with Jane Fonda and Colin Hanks. Great play about a Dr. (**) (Fonda) who struggles to write her last monograph about Beethoven's thirty-three variations on **'s waltz while dealing with the unavoidable complications and demise of ALS. Hanks plays the love interest of Fonda's only daughter. I highly recommend this show. After the play, Nikki and I decided to have a drink and an afternoon snack at The Algonquin Hotel. Opened in 1902, The Algonquin became the social scene as 'New York's social life was moving from downtown ballrooms to what has become today's soaring Midtown'. Famous literary figures, cabaret singers and other celebrities and socialites have made this hotel historical. Nikki ordered a gin martini up with a twist, of course. She is against anything 'light' or faddish when it comes to drinks - no fruity drinks for this connoisseur. I ordered the black and white cake. It was smooth and creamy with just the right amount of everything. Their appetizer menu in the lobby lounge area also included lobster macaroni and cheese. I have made a note that I have to order that during my next visit. If we had not been planning on dinner soon, I surely would have jumped on it. Not that the cake was logical, but I had to have something there. It is a great place to sit, have a drink, snack and/or dinner and relax. The hotel is beautiful and in that old, classic way. I would like to stay there for a visit as well. The Algonquin is located at 59 W 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 and has two dining rooms, a bar and the lounge. The Oak Room Supper Club serves dinner and often has entertainment (Jazz Brunch on Sundays!). The Round Table serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Blue Bar offers bar fare and lots of drinks from 11:30am - 1am daily. Lastly, The Lounge, the restored Algonquin Lobby, with writing desks and Edwardian furniture in deep jewel tones, serves tea, coffee, cocktails and lighter fare from noon until 4pm and continues cocktails into the evening. Definitely visit The Algonquin Hotel during your next Manhattan visit.
~Alex
Definitely a good place for a quiet drink with an older relative, or a romantic drink (this review is for the bar only.) I've never been in a place with that was quiet enough for an easy conversation but had just enough music (bass and piano playing some mellow jazz) and conversational din to make nearby conversations inaudible. Really, it was like a magic trick.
Even though the nearly perfect ambiance made paying $14 for a cocktail (relatively) acceptable, we were nearly forgotten by our waiter. Waiting with empty glasses for 15 minutes for our second round, and then another 30 for the check (which had an extra drink on it the first time 'round) sucked some of the fun out of what was on the way to being an unequivocally wonderful experience.
Dorothy Parker? Round Table? If these words mean anything to you, then staying at the Algonquin will be a truly magical experience. Yes, the rooms are small, but if you're staying in midtown, are you REALLY going to be hanging out in your room? The lobby and the Oak Room take you back to a time when women wore underwear and men had names like "Roger, darling."
Don't leave the hotel without meeting Matilda, the famous hotel cat. She is a lovely burmese who hangs out on her own little chaise lounge near the front door. If you don't find her there, she might be sprawled out on one of the luggage carts. Divine!
Now one of my favorite places to stay in NYC. It is located right in Midtown not too far from the dreaded Times Square - not that you would ever know it though.
It's NYC's oldest operating historic hotel. It's QUIET, clean, well maintained and the staff is really pleasant. Beds are comfy, rooms are functional + roomy and the internet is fast. Prices ROCK! I got upgraded to a suite last week - it was like my own one bedroom apartment in the city. Ahhhhhhh.....love.
Cool bars and restaurants are located closeby. My favorite touch with this hotel - the resident kitty-cat Matilda.
This is a fantastic hotel, and one that looks back in time to the glory days of travel. The rooms are small but luxurious, the staff is extremely dedicated, and the front desk staff will let you borrow a laptop if you feel the urge to write your next novel. The hotel is located a block and a half from Times Square and Matilda, the cat, always greets you when you arrive.
The first thing you are introduced to is the cat-- a regular, probably sitting on the luggage cart. Then you get to meet the rest of this historic literary landmark. In the lobby you can just imagine America's greatest writers congregated at a single round table. It was humbling and at the same time it instilled a sense of pride to be a guest at the famed Algonquin.
Much of the hotel's decor and furnishings retain that historic atmosphere, from the old fashioned elevator, to the bellhop's uniform, to the carpet and wall trimmings. You can also take the stairs and peek into the other floors... one of the floors on the way to our room was a pile of rubble (literally) which suggested they were doing some heavy duty reconstruction/renovation, though it wasn't even cordoned off. The room itself was warm and cozy and I practically sank into the fluffy bed once we finally checked in and settled down. The TV in our room had a channel dedicated to a biography of Dorothy Parker, on repeat.
Location is also pretty good, and it is within walking distance from all the flashy lights and where all the "it"'s are at.
Definitely not my fave place to stay in NYC. I totally felt like I was taken back to 1920s New York living. It was a bit out of this world to be quite honest. The clientele is on the senior citizen side, but I don't blame them, it's a pretty historic building and you can feel the charm of the older generation right when you walk in the door. The hotel room was REALLY small and the bathroom needs a major renovation. Would I stay here again? No. But would I recommend you to go to the hotel lobby for a drink for the experience? Yes.
I dig this place okay but I like the Sofitel more. Apparently this was a haunt for Dorothy Parker and, toward this end, you find a lot of bookish baby boomers trying to read in the lobby, which is very poorly lit, so you know most or all are faking it.
There is jazz. And a cat named Matilda with an elaborate divan that is probably cozier than the bed you will get in a claustrophobic room (unless you have a suite), but the TV is flat and very very big.
The employees are very nice -- real city chaps, these -- and this is the original home of the $10,000 martini, apparently. Try ordering that bad-boy with flip-flops and a straight face.
there are many pluses about The Algonquin -- and many of them have to do with the location location location, dahling.
it's just a block and a half from Times Square -- but you don't have to go in that madness if you don't want to. it's only 3 blocks from Grand Central Station/Terminal -- a BIG plus. it's super-close to all the Broadway shows. i do love me some Broadway entertainment. and all the shops and restaurants in the area kick ass as well. only about 6 or so blocks from Central Park. many of the major subway lines are close as well. location-wise, who could ask for anything more?
the drinks in the lobby and the blue bar are super-pricey -- i mean, those drinks are pricier than the Beverly Hilton! my blueberry lemonade did pretty much rock, but dude. oh well, what the heck -- it's NY. drink it up!
as far as rooms go, i would request at least a queen bed if you want a good-sized room. if it's just you, i suppose it doesn't matter, but i needed a bit more space, i am from California after all, and i have a 17-inch laptop -- so that alone warrants a room where the door doesn't touch the bed. if you want quiet, i recommend requesting an interior room. once i had that, i slept like a baby on my comfy bed. i just wish they would replace those awful gawdy turquoise mirror things over the bed with something else -- yes, i know that was a bit petty. it doesn't matter though, because they have free wifi -- yay!
the hotel staff are very very kind. they are the kind of kind that only professional hotel staff can do authentically... even when i asked the doorman for the second morning in a row, "is Grand Central Station that way?" and he calmly pointed the opposite direction with a smile. i like the old-school feel of the lobby -- locations and buildings which respect their history make a great impression on me -- and Matilda pretty much seals the deal that i will probably always stay here when i'm in town for work. i'm sure no other hotel has a resident cat hanging out to greet you at the front door.
Oh yes- old and loaded with history and spilled drinks. This is my favorite place to hold court while visiting my old stomping grounds. Friends can find it easily, and they will loan you a jacket if you are a man and under dressed for the occasion.
We stayed at the Algonquin last night and really enjoyed it. Everyone we spoke with at the hotel was very friendly and accommodating. The location can't be beat. Super close everything a tourist could want but far enough away from Times Sq that you don't feel like there is a late night rave outside your hotel room. While our room was on the smaller side, it was very cozy and clean. Plus, we got a really great deal on http://skoosh.com and so we really I can't complain at all. The decor was charming and not the generic crap furnishings and artwork you see at other big chain hotels. This place definitely has character! I didn't mind the older elevators, but we also were on one of the lower floors. I thought the bed was quite comfortable and like sleeping on a cloud but my boyfriend thought it was too hard - go figure. The sheets were soft and high quality, not scratchy and worn like you find at some hotels. The AC worked great, although I was worried bc it was extremely hot and muggy over the weekend and I read a review that said the AC may not be up to snuff. Thankfully, this was no problem for us at all. The bathroom was quite small but how much room does one really need in a bathroom anyway? They also had my favorite Bath and Body Works scent (Coconut Lime Verbena) for all the soaps and toiletries - bonus! We only stayed one night so the size of the room as a whole was not a problem at all. The lobby area was nice and inviting. Had we had more time we probably would have checked out the bar and lounge area. Matilda the cat was supervising the bellmen when we arrived. She was docile and let us pet her but you could tell it takes a lot to impress this little princess. Overall I thought the hotel was great and a refreshing change from the big name competitors. I definitely recommend it to others and will definitely be staying here again - hopefully for more than just one night.
One of my absolute favorite places to stay in town. When traveling for Work, I have my teams stay here. The staff cannot be better, and after a tough day, you cannot beat the mango Bella for a great drink in the blue room. It is a homey place, and wonderfully historic. The cat, Matilda, also makes you feel like you have definitely landed in the right place!
A HOTEL THAT APPEALS TO DRUNKEN TYPISTS. they have no books in the lobby despite the historical angle. THE GHOST OF DOROTHY PARKER SHAKES HER FIST AT THE BARTENDER POURING WEAK DRINKS.
This Hotel knocks my socks off! First of all the history...then you have the insanely gorgeous lobby where you can sit and summon a drink with a little bell as Mathilda, the house cat brushes past. in case you don't want to take the beautiful and ancient elevator, take the marble stairs why don't you, and when you reach your floor, drop a letter down the glass mail shoot. the walls are adorned in new yorker cartoon wallpaper. our door had a quote by Dorothy Parker. Later, step downstairs and to the hotel's bar The Blue Bar.
Dorothy Parker and her Roundtable cohorts would still be proud to call this place their own. Go and enjoy the site where she quipped and bantered with the best in her era. While some may cry "expensive" it makes up for the pocketbook pain with old school New York charm.
It's got historical charm and reasonably modern amenities. Feels a lot like your typical hotel in London. Not my speed, but a good option if you're into antiques and the like.
