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Hudson Hotel New York NYC 2013 -003

I was in New York as a guest of Nokia to check out their new Lumia 1020 phone, and while I was there, Nokia put me up at the Hudson Hotel. I had only been there once previously for a party (they have an incredible scene and a popular outdoor patio that’s a mix between a beer hall and burger joint south of the border).

When I checked in, I asked the clerk how many rooms they have and I was shocked to learn the answer: 866. I was expecting a lot fewer. She said it used to be an apartment building until the Morgans Hotel Group and designer Philippe Starck pumped 125 million into it and converted into a hip hotel back in 2000.

The hotel is located in midtown Manhattan on 58th and Ninth Avenue so it’s just a few blocks from Central Park, Columbus Circle and the theater district.

The Hudson proclaims that they represent “the next generation of Cheap Chic: stylish, democratic, young at heart and utterly cool.” I totally agree with that statement, but the hotel is not for everyone. In short, it could use some help with its slow elevators, funky hallways and lack of personnel to answer the phone (I called multiple times on different days and hours and usually had no answer or a long wait).

The biggest shock was the vivid chartreuse-colored neon lit hallways (same as the escalator which transports you, both literally and figuratively, to the Hudson’s climactic lobby). Walking down the long hallway I felt like I was back in college. I could hear guests talking in each room, their TVs and their showers. It also smelled so much of pot that I’m pretty sure that I will now fail a drug test.

One morning there was throw-up outside one of the doors so I told the friendly maid and she just shook her head like not again. When working in my room I smelled cigarette smoke coming in either through the air conditioning vent or the cracks below, I called down and asked if this was a smoking hotel.

The operator said it wasn’t and that she would send a security guard to investigate the cigarette smoke. When I mentioned the marijuana smell from the day before she laughed and said that doesn’t surprise her.

But once inside the modern style rooms you feel like you are in another hotel. Although small (136 square feet/12.63 square meters), they are quite comfortable. Philippe Starck did a great job decorating. They have rich paneled Makore wood walls and floors imported from Africa. It’s all complemented by the awe-inspiring design of bedside lamps by British x-ray photographer Nick Veasey. There’s a flat-screen HDTV, working desk, complimentary Wi-Fi (for basic speed—good enough to Skype), Egyptian cotton linens, plush down duvet and bath products from C.O. Bigelow.

A nice surprise: There’s an empty mini fridge which must’ve been stocked with alcohol when the hotel first opened but probably proved to be too costly to maintain—so the hotel just kept them. That’s a nice amenity to have for storing NY leftovers. I actually ended up unplugging the fridge because I thought the room was lacking electrical outlets until I looked under the bed and spotted a power strip.

Good To Know:

  • Room rates begin at $159.
  • Every floor has discreetly covered vending and ice machines near the elevators.
  • The hotel was filled with lots of foreigners—especially European families.

 

Overall I had a fun experience at the Hudson Hotel, and it’s in a good location, but I wouldn’t recommend it to families or serious business travelers. How about you? Do you agree or think I’m off my rocker?

 Hudson Hotel escalator
Hudson Hotel escalator
 Hudson Hotel lobby
Hudson Hotel lobby
 Hudson Hotel vending machines
Hudson Hotel vending machines
Hudson Hotel hallway
Hudson Hotel hallway
Hudson Hotel roomkey
Hudson Hotel roomkey
Hudson Hotel single room
Hudson Hotel single room
Hudson Hotel power strip
Hudson Hotel power strip
My room and bathroom
My room and bathroom
Hudson Hotel bathroom
Hudson Hotel bathroom
Hudson Hotel bathroom amenities
Hudson Hotel bathroom amenities
Hudson Hotel mini fridge
Hudson Hotel mini fridge
Hudson Hotel flat screen TV
Hudson Hotel flat screen TV
Hudson Hotel closet
Hudson Hotel closet
Chinese restaurant menu slipped under my door
Chinese restaurant menu slipped under my door
View from my Hudson Hotel room
View from my Hudson Hotel room
Hudson Hotel room service menu
Hudson Hotel room service menu

5 Comments On "Hudson Hotel in New York City"
  1. Judy Colbert|

    As I recall, when I stayed there — shortly after the re-opening — the hallways were painted black. I wanted a flashlight to see my way down the hallway. And I think the description of a small room “it’s so tiny you have to go outside to change your mind” was created to describe the Hudson. I know it wasn’t, but it applies. My companion and I had three guests up before dinner and one of them had to sit in the bathroom. At least there was a window between the bathroom and bed.

  2. Steve|

    As someone who grew up in New York way back when it was fun to read reinterpretations of history like this about the Hudson Hotel’s past. Johnny, check out the wikipedia entry at
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Hotel. You’ll see that it’s got a lot more of an interesting history than as an apartment building. It was actually never a traditional apartment building.

  3. 'The One L Michele'|

    The elephant in the room is asking “How Much?” No mention at all about the room price……

    1. Johnny Jet|
  4. West Village, NYC|

    In terms of NYC-social fun it’s historically been a good spot or at least it has been for every other NYC generation. My grandparents and their brothers and sisters used to go there for drinks, and some came with me when it first re-opened with the neon yellow-green lighting. It clearly brought back fun-chic memories which they shared with friends of mine there and then other guests joined in to hear more. The Hudson Hotel has fun-karma. You can’t be there without having a good time, it’s impossible ;-)

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