I thoroughly enjoyed by stay at the Concorde Hotel.
My room was clean and filled with light. I loved the spaciousness of my room and the pretty amazing neverending window with its view of Manhattan, facing south, as well as a smaller window facing East with a splotch of blue in the distance, the East River. I never got tired of watching the movement of life below during the day (people hanging out on their balconies, eating, doing yoga exercises, reading) and the play of the lights at night. Hard to believe, but the windows are sound-insulated! I kid you not when I say that New York’s permanent street noise could not be heard when the windows were closed, at least not on the 22nd floor.
A small fridge as well as an espresso machine in each room and a coffee machine in the business room area across from the fitness room with various coffee concoctions, hot chocolate and tea, were nice extras.
The staff, from housekeeping to reception to the bell attendants, were always friendly and eager to help. The café-bar, Bonsai, is definitely a useful touch. The wine was excellent and Rubin, one of the owners, is a real charmer.
Seriously? It’s hard to say where there was room for improvement. It’s hard, but I CAN think of a few things.
The desk was too high! You may think this is a strange fault, but if you’re shortish, like me, measuring in at 5 feet 4, a rather normal height for a woman actually, sitting at a desk that is higher than your chest makes you feel like a toddler sitting with the grown-ups. Plus, it makes it hard to work on a laptop and even to drink a cup of coffee or snack on a quick sandwich. I suggest desk chairs that can be regulated in height or just higher chairs. This is another way in which women are inadvertantly discriminated against when furnishing hotel rooms.
The air conditioner was easy to control and did its job, but I couldn’t find a setting that really worked for me. Either it was too cold or a little too warm. I relented and kept it cooler and threw a wool shawl over my shoulder that I happened to take along with me.
The furniture was in fairly good condition, although I found it surprising that the bathroom door was rotting on the length of its entire bottom edge. I imagine the bathroom was at one point flooded with water (now how did that happen?!? – The shower was great and well-sealed). The door was otherwise fine so they didn’t replace it, but it IS an eyesore in an otherwise pretty perfect setting.
The area outside the hotel is not a real neighborhood. 55th Street between Lexington and Park Avenues is midtown east, a business area, and not especially pretty or cool or special. On sundays some shops and stores are even closed. And just a few steps from the hotel where there is a parking garage there was a homeless man who hung out the whole week I was there, mostly sleeping. He didn’t bother anybody as far as I could see, but he was not a pleasant sight and every time I passed him I felt bad.
Despite a few hiccups, I would come back to Concorde Hotel in a heartbeat and hope to some day soon. Thanks for a great stay!
