I have read incredibly varied opinions of this hotel dating back a couple of years. It seems to be very well positioned but has anyone had recent experience? Thanks.

I know your trip was postponed (hope everything is fine now), but what happened to the Abingdon Guest House or the upper west side? If you read the reviews of this place on tripadvisor, why would you consider it with so many other options?? Is the rate incredibly cheap?

I stayed there about 1.5 yrs. ago but rest assured, nothing's changed here in 50 years or so. This hotel is 1960s style, rather funky, nothing fancy, but location, location, location if you want the West Village or NYU. I enjoyed my stay there but I'd hesitate to recommend a stay there to someone else. There's nothing objectionable, it was clean and safe, but you have to be OK with funky 1960s.

The restaurant, North Square on the lower level of the building is very good.

I haven't seen their rooms, but have heard they are very small. The lcoation is great.

From what I can tell on Tripadvisor, the newly renovated rooms are decent, but the older rooms aren't.

ANother possibility in the area is the Howard Johnson Express Inn in the East VIllage. This is a fairly new property and seems ot get consistently good comments on tripadvisor.

Not so cheap now but this is also a central location and much nicer than the Wash. Sq. Hotel:

www.holidayinn-nyc.com

Thanks everyone..I think I will stay with my plans ie either all the time in Upper West Side or split ( as you suggested McLaurie )half up town and half downtown.Mainly it seems a long way to be going back and forward from UWS to downtown attractions so a split would probably be best. The Inn on 23rd gets excellent reports and I can't see myself getting much better if we can get in. The only reason I even considered the Washington Square Hotel was that I thought it might be more close to downtown sights.Mclaurie thanks for your concern...my partner starts ray treatment in January and we are hoping things will look up after that and we can finally put our plans into action. Many thanks all.

Sorry Mclaurie i've just reread you question and you asked about our previous idea of Abingdon not Inn on 23rd.That place sounded great too but I thought as we are not familiar with NYC we would be better staying somewhere with staff on duty to give advice ( this is not the case at Abingdon apparently). Sandy Brit and others rate the Inn highly and they do have a full time staff so we thought that may be more suitable for our first real trip to NYC. Thanks again.

"...Ray treatments in January"? Hope all goes well. Yes, the Inn on 23 does get great reviews. When are you coming now?

Hopefully in your Spring....depending on partner's health. Happy Christmas!

I send all my best for good health, happiness and prosperity for the New Year. Happy Xmas
Watch lots of funny movies over the holidays

So it's not the San Francisco Washington square... what a disappointment!