Hotel Stanford or Travel Inn, New York: which would you choose?
 

Hi,
I am travelling to New York in Sept. and am trying to find accommodation in my price range. I am considering the Hotel Stanford and the Travel inn but wondered which might be the best choice in terms of room size (and cleanliness etc), location (want somewhere quiet at night but not a dodgy area). Can anyone advise? I have looked through old posts and there seems to be quite alot of good reviews on Stanford whereas alot of reviews of Travel inn mention its free parking and swimming pool (not relevant to me). Thanks

We just spent 3 nights at the Holiday Inn on 440 West 57th St. ( June 12-15) and thought the hotel was terrific. It had a nice size room with the sink area outside of the main bathroom areae which is nice when traveling with 2 or more people. The location was within walking distance to many attractions, not far from Times Sq. although in NY you still need to take taxi's & the subway. I had booked the hotel back in April and took the No Cancellation price of 159.00 a night which was also pre-paid through a credit card. Also, the hotel had a rooftop pool which was great because the temps were 95 when we were there. The other price which is 199.00 is if you think you may have to cancel the reservations. The staff at the hotel was very friendly, and we enjoyed our stay there. I would recommend this hotel. You can also read reviews on Trip Advisor, about many hotels in NY. I would definatly rate this a real bargain for NY.

Also another thing; In checking Trip Advisor many pepole suggested if you book the this Holiday Inn ask for a renovated room, and that is what I got.

I can't comment on Travel Inn since I've not stayed there, but I've stayed at Hotel Stanford many times and have been pleased with it for the price. I stay there for business so the location is good for me with the Gift Mart being so close by. I also like that it's close to some places that I can do personal shopping around Broadway to 7th Avenue and 33rd to 35th.

The staff have always been very helpful at the hotel and I like that it's not in a desolate area, even very late at night, but I do have one complaint. For some odd reason they always give us only one face cloth in a double occupancy room. This has happened time and time again, and although I get another upon request I just find it odd. Other than that, however, I've had no problems there and continue to stay there on business trips.

They also have a great Korean bakery and restaurant on site that are open 24/7.

Hi,
Thanks for the information Donegal28-- I did try the HI but I couldn't get availability.
Statia: that's useful feedback for me re the Stanford. Do you know whether there's a big difference between the double-double rooms and the suites? Also, what's the sound insulation like-- I assume that the windows are double glazed? (I am a really light sleeper and I once stayed in a hotel in NYC with old fashioned sash windows with single panes; needless to say I didn't sleep!). Any other information on the Stanford would be gratefully received.
Thanks

Don;t k now about double - glazing - but you;re going to have street noise in any hotel in NYC unless you stay on a high floor - I would think 15 or above (don;t know how big the Standford is).

Police and fire sirens, emptying dumpters and commercial garbage pick up are all common in the middle of the night (the latter two are done then when streets are emptier) - and the only thing you can really do is get used to it or use ear plugs.

We stayed at the Travel Inn last year and it was wonderful. HUGE room (overlooking the interior - pool just beautiful - so no street noise). It's a few long blocks from Times Square, but the crosstown bus #42 stops nearby. Room decor was brand new and housekeeping was meticulous. Comfortable bed. Plenty of nice towels. Tiny lobby, no restaurant or bar, concierge of sorts in the little sundries shop (when open). Lots of terrific dining nearby, including a terrific classic New York Coffeeshop on the next corner with fantastic waffles and pancakes.

dogyoungone, I have stayed in both the double/double and the suite and the suite is much larger. If you look at the photos on the Stanford's website you can see that the suite has a sitting area and the basic floor space is much larger than the double/double.

Also, all rooms at the Stanford have a mini-fridge which is really nice for storing breakfast items, snacks, cold drinks, or any food items you might want to take home with you.

Regarding the street noise, it's hard for me to say since I'm quite used to street noise when I sleep so it typically doesn't bother me. In my experience the suites are the only rooms that overlook the street and I've really only noticed loud street noise when there is something really loud going on outside, like a parade or other large event. I do believe that I've also typically heard horn honking at times, but I think that you would get that just about anywhere in NYC. The double/double rooms, in my experience, don't face the street so I've never really noticed any noise at all in those rooms. I'm sure the hotel can let you know if the windows are double glazed and that will give you a better idea of whether or not the noise would bother you in a suite.

Have you checked out the Stanford's website below? There is a lot of info there, as well. If you have any other questions, let me know.

http://hotelstanford.com/

Hi NyTraveler and Statia,
Thanks so much for your very helpful responses. If I decide to go with the Stanford I may well ask the hotel about double glazing etc. I don't mind a bit of noise-- I expect it when in New York-- but just don't want to stay in a hotel that faces on an extremely busy street--that's why the other postings re Travel inn being opposite a police station kind of concerns me.
I will have to think about my choices a bit..Hopefully I will be able to make up my mind!
thanks

dogyoungone

I've stayed at the TI on 3 occasions and I think most people post that it's opposite a Police station to show that whilst the neighborhood is quiet it's also safe.

The TI isn't a highrise hotel but the rooms are in a square and generally face the pool which is in the middle of the hotel. Although it might not be quiet enough for you, earplugs?

Might try the Stanford next time, not because I didn't like the TI but because it's getting harder and harder to book. :-)

The Stanford is on 32nd Street, which is not a real busy thoroughfare, but it is about a half block from Broadway. I've never noticed any of the noise from Broadway, but like I said I am used to sleeping with noise.

Hi Alya, and Statia,
Sorry I didn't post a thanks for your replys (computer problems). Information very useful...haven't quite made my decision yet though!
Thanks

no worries,

just let us know where you decide to stay and what your thoughts are.

have fun

We just stayed at the Travel Inn last week, and while we overlooked the police station across the street, we didn't hear any noise from it at all. The double room was very adequate in size and cleanliness and I would definitely stay there again.

You could probably get a better hotel for the same price through Priceline. Check www.biddingfortravel.com