Arthouse New York Hotel Review

Classification :     Four Star
Room Category : Broadway View Deluxe King
Month of Stay :    March 2019
Resort Fee:           $35.00
Deposit:                $50.00 (non-refundable)

Trip Advisor Ranking:   180 of 499 (as of 03/25/19)

Trivago Rating:              8.5 out of 10 (as of 03/25/19)
Overall Value:             $156 - $355 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)

What kind of history goes with this hotel? The hotel was built in 1908 and most recently renovated in 2002. It was the former NYLO New York City and now is called Arthouse New York.

When you arrived, how was the lobby and customer service? The lobby is one of the best parts of the hotel, very chic with artwork displayed. No outlets however for charging your devices. The customer service was something to be desired. I called the night before to see if my room could be ready early and a very rude woman said there was a $100 charge for that. I declined and when I arrived the man at the desk said the room wouldn't be ready until 4pm but if I wanted to pay an additional $50, they could expedite the cleaning staff. I declined again but major fail on their part.

How fantastic or not so fantastic was the room? My room was to be a Broadway View Deluxe with 340 square feet but didn't seem that large. It was fine for one person but more than 2 it would be tight fit. It did not impress. There was a door on a side table near the bed that once opened, I couldn't get it to close. The safe was a decent size to hold your valuable items. The view was nice of the hotel across the street, lovely architecture.

The cleanliness of the hotel and room itself ? Cleanliness was not an issue, it shouldn't be considering the staff have about 4 hours to clean the room something fantastic.

Were you able to have sweet dreams with the comfy bed? The bed was comfortable but quite high which was a jump for a short person like myself.

The All-Important bathroom subject? Horrid. Small and decor was something out of a hospital. The tissues were similar to hospital ones as well, very rough. You could not get dressed in this bathroom so sharing this room with a friend may be interesting.

What kind of shower treats awaited you? Coffee maker in the room? Keurig in the room. Shower amenities were from Pure toiletries.

Did room service blow your mind or was just okay? It didn't exist. There is a Serafina restaurant attached to the hotel which will deliver to your room, it's an okay restaurant. Red Farm is a most fantastic place for dim sum and I enjoyed myself a lunch there which blew my mind.

Everyone wants to know, is Wi-Fi included? No, it is a separate fee of $35 per night and states rates may vary, so that could change.

Is Fido allowed come with you? Yes up to 25lbs and for a fee of $40 per pet, per day

Location is key, how does this hotel measure? Location is great if you wish to explore the Upper West Side and/or are taking in a show at the Beacon Theater or Lincoln Center.

What was the best part of staying here? Location and Red Farm 

Would you change anything? Everything including customer service, all the add on fees, the bathrooms need remodeling and the rooms need to not look like a dorm room vibe.

Is this hotel worth it and why? Not at all. The room rate may be very low, but they kill you with fees. A deposit fee, a resort fee, a Wi-Fi fee, earlier check in fee - it is never ending. I don't feel this hotel is worth your final cost. I would not recommend to anyone to stay here.

Overall Rating: 4

Conclusion: 
There is a reason this hotel is ranked 180 on Trip Advisor but I wanted to give it a try staying in the Upper West Side. There are not a lot of hotels in this area, and many of them are older properties with very small rooms and bathrooms. I would suggest you stay around W. 57th Street,  or near Central Park and walk, cab or subway to the UWS. It is a great area to explore, but not really necessary to stay there. The customer service could be extremely improved, and the idea that you cannot get in the room until 4pm and check out is 11am is crazy. Usually times are 3pm and Noon. I have stayed at many hotels that have had my room ready by 1030am with no extra fee or have even upgraded me for free. The room decor is something to be desired and the bathroom is so very small and blah decor. I am glad I stayed here, but since this is the lowest rated of all the hotels I have stayed in the city, it is an experience I will not have again. 

Hotel prices are at their lowest in the months of January and February; their highest September and October. Sunday nights are the lowest prices for hotel rooms, in most cases. My go to places for checking prices for hotels are Trivago, Trip Advisor, Hotels.com and Travelzoo. Always remember to check the hotel's website itself, they are really trying to have you book direct and sometimes offer specials or a discount with AAA that is cheaper than the websites I mentioned above. I am also finding that if you book on your mobile device, you can save some money as well. I actually got a better rate via my mobile phone than using my AAA discount online direct at the hotel. You should really do some research on your price for hotel a few different ways, and ALWAYS book a room that you can cancel, you never know what may happen in the future. You also want the ability to change hotels if you should find a better option closer to your date of arrival. 

Resort fees are something I am seeing at more New York hotels, about 82 of the over 400 hotels in New York City now charge. These fees can run you between $30 to $60 per night for your stay. They list services such as newspapers, in room coffee or WiFi for these fees, and if you book with a hotel that has this fee, you are obligated to pay it. When checking your prices, be sure to look for the small print if there is an additional resort fee and make your decision whether you want that additional charge. Some of the hotels in New York City that charge the fee are: Park Central Hotel $40.16, WestHouse New York $53.93, Avalon Hotel $22.95, Royalton Park Avenue $40.00, The James New York Soho $45.90, The James New York NoMad $38.11, The Warwick $25.00, The Benjamin $38.11, The Quin $21.78, Crowne Plaza Times Square $34.43, Hotel 48Lex $60.00, The Redbury New York $32.66, The Knickerbocker $34.43, The Viceroy Central Park $29.00. These prices are as of 03/25/18. 

Remember to take into account for your total cost the NYC Hotel tax of 14.75% plus Daily $2.00 per room occupancy fee.

Disclosure: This stay was paid for by me. I will always state at the end of each review whether my stay was paid for by myself or if I was hosted by the hotel. I will honestly tell you about my experience at this hotel, not being swayed in any way by complimentary services. I know you trust my opinion, & it is important to me to be as honest as possible.  All opinions are my own. Thank you so much.

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