Bowsprit

The Gracie Inn was sited as running an illegal hotel operation in 2009:

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/EC...cbin=34775379Z

If you read on you will see that renovations were completed without the proper permits in place. Imagine that. Wonder what the quality of that work turned out to be??! Check on your own to see if Gracie Inn is now in compliance. (they aren't)

Due diligence, people. Due diligence.

Bowsprit

I am still looking to see if Gracie Inn applied for a C of O since that time. They submitted a few applications to be able to operate as a legitimate hotel but I can't locate a current Certificate of Occupancy. Maybe someone else here can find it.

eznmomma

We ended staying at the Gracie Inn. Despite the internal updates, it looks a little rundown - their claim of antiques is just old furniture. But, it's clean, we got free parking on the street, it's a safe neighborhood, it was convenient for our trip since we were all uptown for the two days and the staff was very accommodating. They allowed us last minute early check in and were very pleasant about it. We don't spend any time in our hotel so it worked just fine for us.

starrs

Thanks for the update. Were you able to use your certificate?

Bowsprit

It is operating illegally, unfortunately.

Bowsprit

Despite the internal updates, it looks a little rundown - their claim of antiques is just old furniture.

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Imagine! An illegal hotel misrepresenting the state of its furniture! Quelle suprise! I wonder if they're misrepresenting the state of their fire alarm and smoke detectors too?

nytraveler

I don;t understand why tourists are so determined not listen to to New Yorkers who tell them that short-term apartment rentals are illegal, that there are few legal B&Bs in the city and that the city is closing illegal, unsafe hostels.

I understand that people want to save money - but it's sort of like saying you want a brand new Mercedes for $10,000. It's just not going to happen. And anyone claiming it will - is just running a scam.

Bowsprit

nytraveler: When you read through some of the responses on this thread, you will see that there are people who have posted who simply recommend lodging without any knowledge and without completing the most basic of searches.

These thoughtless responses muddy the waters for those contemplating a stay in an illegal hotel, b&b, apt. etc.

eznmomma

There was nothing illegal about this B&B. It is registered with New York, and obviously from the way it is built a hotel and not a recently renovated apartment building. My husband owns property and recognizes updated and new systems and these were all new, including the smoke, fire and cm alarms. The bathrooms are all new and the sign outside the door advertises itself. A little sour grapes here. Although the furniture was old, it was not torn, worn or stained. If anyone wants brand new, this is not the place, but to spend a night in a safe, clean bed, it is just fine. I have stayed in the best hotels in New York and I didn't have a better time while in the city, just different.

Bowsprit

The hotel you stayed in is operating illegally. They never received the proper building permits to begin any renovations or updates. This information is salient to this discussion when a poster comes back to say they enjoyed an illegal hotel. There is absolutely no point in promoting an illegal hotel on these forums. Full disclosure.

Bowsprit

Also, your hotel is not 'registered' nor is it licensed to operate as a hotel. It should be avoided.

starrs

That's an interesting deletion.

Bowsprit

Sneaky.

Bowsprit

I would say that there's probably already an assumption on the part of the reader that anyone who rents a room in an illegal hotel has thrown common sense and decency to the wind, so no need to state it yet again.

sf7307

Bowsprit, I don't know who's right, one way or the other. I do wonder where you are getting your information from, because when I google "Gracie Inn New York", I get a lot of seemingly legitimate hits, including AAA, hotels.com, orbitz etc. if it is operating I,legally, I'd just like to know where you found that out.

Bowsprit

I've noted the source already, sf7307.

Bowsprit

And I'm right, btw.

starrs

sf3707, it's also on the list from bedandbreakfast.com = where the OP hoped to use her gift certificate. Another local Fodorite has been there to check it out for friends who have stayed there and shared her thoughts on this thread. The OP has returned to give a satisfactory trip report. I agree with you - but I'm sure we'll have many more posts on this thread to tell us otherwise. In any case, the OP had a good trip and was pleased.

Bowsprit

Go to the Buildings Dept of NYC. Check yourself. And excuse you, Starrs, for insisting that booking a room here was a thoughtful decision. It wasn't.

starrs

I don't need to be excused for having an opinion. You've spent plenty of time doing research and have not convinced me. I'm not sure what more needs to be said. You have your opinion. Some of us feel differently. And so it is.