Roger Williams Hotel, New York
 

Well, I thought we were going to stay at the Carlton on Madison Avenue, but my sister rang them about something and is uncomfortable finding out there is no night manager and the two girls on duty had no idea what to do in an emergency. <BR>So, changing hotels! Any comments on the Roger Williams on 31st and Madison? Also, for anyone interested, the hotel's site (www.rogerwilliamshotel.com) has cheaper prices than quickbook.com. It sounds good, like the location etc but an interested in personal viewpoints. <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR> <BR>Anne in Australia

Can't give you a 'personal' viewpoint... but I have seen good things said about the RW in some travel mags..

I stayed there twice at the beginning and end of a trip to NYC about three or four years ago. I liked the hotel and had a nice (though small) room on my first stay (complete with a little terrace off my room). The continental breakfast and free cappucinos were great. But my room on my second stay was even tinier than the first and overlooked the interior airshaft. Someone in another room on the airshaft was having a party that went until about 4 AM, so I didn't get much sleep that night (calls to the front desk didn't do any good).

I haved stayed in the RW a few times. Nice hotel, bit off the track but great for exploring the Gramercy area. Do check out the rooms. All rooms are well appointed but some are smaller than others. We usually spend about 190 to $225. Nice euro feel. I have since moved the group over tho the Red Roof Inn of 32nd street. I can get a much better rate for a this newer property! <BR>JOHN

New York magazine in the Feb. 5, 2001 edition (page 37) reviewed the Roger Williams. It is generally a favorable review. On a scale of 1 to 10 rated service at 9 and decor at 8. Following are some excerpts: Rosemary- mint Aveda shampoo a keeper.. toothbrushes, Q tips and razors are available free of charge. Walls could a little more insulation. The lack of an in house bar or restaurant is a sore point. Guests have use of modest business centerand hotel's own fitness facilities.

My teenage daughter and I did not like this hotel at all. It was too tiny to be comfortable and as expensive as much nicer hotels, such as The Essex House, Waldorf Astoria, The Regent on Wall Street which are all $200 a night and more beautiful and spacious. (The Regent on Wall Street is $200 only on weekends)

Thanks for all the replies. It's interesting reading the varying view points. <BR>John, do you know if there is a website for the Red Roof Inn please? <BR>While I understand that there are better hotels, we want to stay in the Murray Hill area. I also understand that not many hotels in NY have large rooms. <BR>Thanks for the help. <BR> <BR>Anne in Australia

Anne- <BR> <BR>Been following your different NYC posts... Since you want to stay in the Murray Hill area, there are a number of options. For best prices try the Howard Johnson's on 29th and Park Ave South, or Quality Hotel on 30th and Lex. For a bit more money there is the Dumont Plaza hotel on 34th between Lex and Third. Also, the Shelburne on Lex at 37th St. These all are fine places to stay, all moderately priced. If you wish to spend more, there are many more hotels in the neighborhood, just post if you want suggestions.

Thanks for the additional hotels KT. The only discount site I can find with the Dumont Plaza says no rooms available. And I can't HJ or QH on any sites either. Also couldn't locate individual sites but will keep trying. Any other suggestions? We would definitely like to keep the price under $200 bearing in mind the Aussie exchange rate is poor and we don't want to spend all our money on a hotel. <BR> <BR>Thanks again <BR> <BR>Anne in Australia

Anne- <BR> <BR>Just found this link for the Quality Hotel Eastside. http://www.interamerika.com/USA-NewY...l-Eastside.htm <BR>The phone number is 212-545-1800 (only one I can find). <BR> <BR>This one, for Howard Johnson's, is not linked to the hotel itself, and is the only one that came up on a google search. www.maintour.com/lowerny/nychtlhj.htm <BR> <BR>HJ's phone number is 800-446-4656. FYI: There is more than one HJ in the city, but only one in the Murray Hill area. <BR>

I loved the RW. The staff were helpful and friendly, the room very pretty and the bathroom beautifull. It is well located (in the middle of the island) and is generally quieter than anything else.The breakfasts were nice too. Unsure what the concerns are re safety - we felt very safe in NY.

Anne: <BR> <BR>The Red Roof Inn is www.redroof.com Look for the property in Manhattan on 32nd street. I work right across the street from the Rodger Williams and have been using that property for three years now. But the rates have steadly climbed to a point where I can do better elsewhere. I would not look at the Red Roof except that I had passed it by on my way home one night I asked the manager if I can look at the room and they were very nice and let me up. The rooms are all brand new! The people were very nice, the price included breakfast. Depending on the time of year you can get $99 and up rates, (I paid $140) Give it a shot, a great value in the area! Drop me an email if you need any NYC INFO! <BR>JOHN <BR> <BR>

Howard Johnson's web address is: <BR>www.hojo.com is anyone needs it.

<BR>I work on 29th between park and lexington so if I can be of help checking into hotel info let me know. <BR>

Thank you everyone. You have all been so heplful. Lin, neither my sister nor I have safety concerns about NY. We have both been there a number of times, we usually stay with people we know but that is unavailable this time. My sister's concerns, and rightly so, are do you really want to stay in a high rise building with people who have no idea of emergency procedures like fire evacuation etc? While unlikely to happen, I'd rather be in a hotel whose staff care enough to know. KT thanks again for the site address will work on those tonight. Also thanks to John for the Red Roof Inn, ditto and to Steve for the offer of help. <BR>Will be back soon with more requests no doubts. <BR> <BR>Anne in australia <BR>

Well, have checked out the web-sites kindly provided. HJ's looks fine to me and so does the Red Roof Inn. I have told my sister to take a look and let me know. I don't think she will go for the Red Roof Inn because it is over the west side, I think she would prefer the east side. <BR>Interesting to note that the Quality Hotel site does not let you check availability without giving over your credit card number and also there are no photographs of the hotel or the rooms!!! Makes me wonder. <BR>Once again, thank you to you all for your help. This board is fantastic. <BR> <BR>Anne in Australia <BR>

The Red Roof Inn has a west side address (6 W. 32nd) but you couldn't be any closer to the east side - 5th Avenue is the dividing line between east and west and the hotel is that close to 5th Avenue. .

Anne: <BR>Just in case you are checking the discount sites, I thought you could use a list of more hotels in the Murray Hill area. You never know what might show up! Hotels include: W Court and W Tuscany (39th St), Doral Park Avenue (38th/Park), Kitano (38th/Park), Jolly Madison (38th), Sheraton Russell (Park/37th, Morgans (Madison/37th), Avalon (32nd), Dylan (41st), Library (41st). <BR>

Ok, the hotel saga is resolved. We have booked into the Roger Williams. We like the location and realise the rooms maybe small but I never underestimate the power of my sister get upgrades. <BR>Thanks again to everyone for your advice. I now have an alternative list of hotels to provide to friends when they travel. <BR>Counting down the days til we get back to New York - can't wait. <BR> <BR>Anne in Australia