Fodor's Expert Review The Shoreham

Everyone roots for the Shoreham. It’s an independently owned hotel in Midtown that used to be luxury but affordable! It’s run into hard times over its years, and it’s back up for sale now. Perhaps the troubles are wearing on the property, but it certainly doesn’t show in the service. Rooms may have cracks and creaks, but the staff offers personalized service and are there to provide as best they can. While the hotel’s fate is still up for grabs, at these rates for these large, still-sophisticated and clean rooms, one could a whole lot worse. In fact, one couldn’t do a whole lot better.

room

Well-designed contemporary Deco-inspired rooms that maximize the boxy space. The gentle shagreen and beige color palette, with blonde wood and green upholstered furnishings, are subtle and evoke Midtown sophistication. Belgian linens, flat screen TVs, work desk and hidden storage space. Tech is big here: you can request an Xbox 360 or PS2, and rooms have free Wi-Fi and big flat-screens. The ingredients are all there.

bathroom

The condition of a hotel is first seen in the bathrooms. The all-white, subway-tile bathtub and shower (there’s a lot of grouting!) exhibit little cracking or mold. Good sign. The bathrooms are a standard New York-sized bathroom with just a pinch too little space between tub/toilet/sink. Some rooms have soaking tubs in slate bathrooms. But it’s clean and the lighting ain’t bad.

lobby

A bit of a glorified hallway with bright green benches, the lobby houses the reception area, as well as access to the restaurant and bar. No scene with martinis here.

gym

There’s a mid-size fitness center with a handful of machines and weights.

dining

Shoreham Bar & Grill doesn’t look like much, in that it could be confused for yet another forgettable tourist restaurant that’s trying to hard. And in some ways it is, but it secretly has a great culinary team in the back (though, at Midtown prices, it better taste good)! The restaurant also provides room service during restaurant hours. It’s also where breakfast for hotel guests is served.

drinking

Shoreham Bar is a full-stocked bar that once tried to position itself as a sexy hotel bar, but instead became a post-work hang that’s not overly crowded. Not great value but also won't break the bank.