I recently returned from 8 days in NYC and wanted to share my thoughts about the studio apartment we rented, since I know "where to stay" is a common subject of discussion on this board.

We rented a studio apartment through www.metro-home.com. The studio was at 160 Bleeker Street and is around the Greenwich Village area. Because we stayed for at least 7 nights, we did not have to pay hotel taxes. We were happy with our costs and felt like we saved a bit of money by not staying at a hotel.

The studio had a queen bed, small kitchenette (refrigerator, stove, oven, toaster), 1 bathroom with tub/shower combo, a (fold-out)couch, chair, TV, stereo, and small table with 2 bar stools. The studio was bigger than a typical NYC hotel room and had plenty of room for 2 people for a week. The wood floors were old and squeaky but there were a few rugs in the room as well. The studio was clean and comfortable, overall. There was no housekeeping, although I think you can pay extra for that, if you want it.

Dishes, towels (more on that below), and linens were provided, as was a starter roll of toilet tissue and 2 small bars of soap (like the "facial" soap you find in hotel rooms). There was also some dish-washing liquid, but there were no rags/cloths for washing dishes. We did not really use the kitchen for cooking, just to keep drinks cold in the frig and keep some easy and quick-to-eat food items. We ate most meals out or ordered in and picked up bagels and pastries for breakfast. All of these things were ready available near our building.

The building had 2 washers/dryers on every floor. These were not conveinant to use (at least not to us) b/c you had to purchase a card to work them, rather than using coins. The cards are $3.00--just for the card. Then you have to put additional money on the card to actually pay for the washers/dryers ($1.75 per washer, $1.75 per dryer). We decided we had enough clothing to make it through the trip without that added expense.

There were also several subway stops near our building, just a few blocks away in multiple directions (easy to walk to). There was a CVS pharmacy right next door and a grocery store less than 2 blocks down on Bleeker.

The only problem we had with our rental was towels. When we arrived, there were only 2 towels in the apartment and no wash cloths or hand towels. I had called twice before our arrival to double check reservations and had asked about having enough towels for the whole stay. I was told they would be there.

I called Metro-home that evening and reported the lack of towels. I was told to call back the following morning and speak to housekeeping. I called the next day and spoke with the lady who runs things--Inga. I repeated the above. She said more towels would be dropped off that afternoon but also said they did not provide wash cloths.

After being gone for several hours, we returned and found no towels. I called Metro-home again, and was first told that the towels were not laundered as expected and would be delivered the next day. Then, Inga told me that this was not a hotel and I did not get housekeeping and fresh towels everyday. I told her several times that I was aware of that, but that I needed more than 2 towels for 8 days. She argued with me for a few more minutes and then said we would get 2 more towels the next day. She said we would have to wash towels as needed.

After telling my husband this, he called Inga and questioned how we were supposed to make do with 4 towels for 8 days. Inga acted shocked that we would actually bathe everyday. My husband explained that we had no problem using the same towel for 2 days in a row but would require more than 4 towels and that her website certainly gave the impression that enough towels were provided for the entire stay (without our having to wash towels frequently). Again, we did not expect housekeeping or fresh towels everyday, but we did expect to have enough towels provided for the week. The phone call ended with Inga basically saying we'd get 2 more towels the following day.

To our great surprise, we left for a few house and returned that same evening to find that 4 wash cloths, 4 handtowels, and 6 bath towels had been dropped off. So, we were pleased and had enough towels for the week. We had no other problems with anything else regarding the rental.

My only other experience with renting this way has been with condo rentals in the Florida/Alabama Gulf coast area. In most of those, there are washers/dryers in the condo and they do not cost extra to use. There have always been plenty of towels, washcloths, and hand towels for the stay, plus, as stated above, there were washers and dryers in the unit for when and if we needed to wash.

This was a new experience for me in NYC, but my husband and I both agreed that overall, it was great place to stay. It was nice to have something to sit on besides a hotel room bed, and having the refrigerator was great, as was the extra space. We would stay there again. Sorry for making this so long; I hope it may help someone else in the future.

I really am sorry about the length of the above report--I went back and edited a bit, but unfortunately, the posted report did not reflect that. Sorry!

Lee4, Thanks for your report. I particularly interested because I love that area of Manhattan and would love to rent for a week. Can you tell us how much you paid for the week so we can compare with hotel prices?

Veronica

Lee, it sounds like you had a pretty good experience overall. I would not expect a NY apt to have its own washer/dryer. Most buildings have some sort of laundry room with coin-operated machines.

Veronica,
We paid around $140.00/night for the studio. The website is running some speicals right now, so you might want to check it out. I may be off a bit on the price b/c we paid for it so long ago. You have to pay for the whole rental (on a credit card) when you make the reservation--no deposit, just the whole amount.

For those considering this, please be aware tham most apartments - except true luxury buildings - in New York have their own washer/dryers. typically the apartments are way too small - and in many (1940's and before) the piping won;t accomodate that amount of water.

You need to expect the washer/dryer will porably be shared and in the basement and will be operated by a computer card. Prices will be at least .50 for a dry and .75 up for a wash - depending on the size of a machine.

Also, if you are renting an apartment they will not typically give you fresh towels for every day - but just 4 or so for the week. If you need more - either wash them or pay for the maid service.

Excellent advice Lee4 and nytraveler, I am considering an apartment in the Greenwich Village area for my next trip to NY. It's great to know these little details ahead of time. Thank you both!

Wow, that's very good info. Is there a limit on the number of people who can be in the apartment? I am wondering if we could get my husband and me in the bed, and our daughter on the fold out sofa and our son on the floor in a sleeping bag. $140 a night for 7 nights is good without added taxes and with the kitchenette.
Glad you complained enough to get the towels. To bad that Inga gave you such a hard time about somethign instead of just giving you the extra bath towels you deserved; now everyone on Fodors knows about it. I guess for that price I'd be willing to bring some towels now that I know it could be a problem.
Thanks for the great report!

I see from their website that their one bedrooms accomodate 4 people and rent for about $1250 a week, which is great if you can also avoid the tax on top of it.

emd,
I'm not so sure about fitting four people in a studio apartment. The studio is small but there would be even less space if the sofa bed were pulled out. Plus, the floors are wood, so I'm not sure how comfortable the person in the sleeping bag would be. After staying there for a week, I'm just wanting to warn you that the space might be a little too tight for 4. Plus, there's only 1 bathroom! However, it certainly helps to make a trip more affordable with the kitchenette and no hotel taxes.

If you are planning to have more than 2 people in the apartment, you might want to check into the "towel issue" further! Again, it was a good place to stay, overall and well worth the money.

We are staying here
http://www.jacksbandb.com/
in August. Another similar thing. Just thought I would offer it.
It's on the UWS on 81st street, between Columbus and Amsterdam. We have apartments 6 and 8 reserved for 5-6 people. (Depends on my sister bringing a guest).
I will post a trip report when we return.