This was our third trip to NYC in the past year. Previously we enjoyed terrific stays at the Doubletree Suites Times Square and the lovely Omni Berkshire Hotel. On this trip, since we would be staying 10 days, we were trying to find a reasonably priced and well located hotel. After much research, we settled on the Hotel Metro which seemed it would match our needs. Several times prior to arrival, I called and requested a quiet room based on reports I'd read on Tripadvisor. Upon arrival, after a sleepless night on the plane from California, we were told we would have to wait a number of hours for our room. Spent time enjoying Macy's which is very nearby. After dozing off in the hotel lobby, we were finally taken to our room one floor beneath the Penthouse. I knew that the hotel was undergoing construction and questioned whether or not this would be a quiet room. We were reassured by the front desk that there wouldn't be any hammering or drilling. Quite the contrary! We had barely closed our eyes for a badly needed nap when a power drill began in the room to one side and a jackhammer in the room on the other. Above us, a marble floor was being pounded into place. Leaving our room, I stepped over power cords and equipment en route to the elevator. After speaking with the front desk we were given a key to another room. Upon moving our suitcases to this room (which was a fraction of the size...not that the first room was spacious!) we discovered that our "new" room had not even been cleaned yet. We were shown one other room where the double bed was literally less than one foot from the door to the hallway. (More like what one would find in a motel, I think.) The front desk was not particularly helpful explaining that the hotel was full. Clearly if your hotel is full, you don't worry about unhappy guests. The frosting on the cake for me at the Metro, was when we tried at 10:30 pm the next night to find the ice machine which was unavailable due to the construction. We were told by the front desk that we could bring our ice bucket downstairs and ask at the restaurant next door for some ice! (My daughter immediately marched downstairs in her pj's, ice bucket in hand, and gave the front desk crew quite a shock!) Since we were to be staying for 10 days and our trip was getting off to a bad start, I had my husband in California go on Priceline and bid on a room for us at a different hotel. We spent only 2 nights at the Metro before moving to the wonderful Intercontinental Barclay for the remaining 8 nights. I cannot begin to emphasize the difference. The service, class and ammenties were apparent as soon as we entered the lobby. We slept in total comfort and quiet in a king size bed in a wonderfully large room at a 4 Diamond Hotel well located near Rockefeller Center FOR THE SAME PRICE as what we were paying at the Metro!!! Upon checking out of the Metro, I expressed our disappointment to the Manager who offered absolutely NO compensation or apologies. When I mentioned the incident with the ice, he said "Well, what would you have us do?" I promptly told him that what I would have him do is suggest that his staff offer to bring some ice up to their guests in this situation, not the other way around. This is NOT what I call customer service and I have worked in a customer service business for more than 30 years. In fairness to the Metro, the breakfast is fairly good and there is a bit of charm to the Art Deco decor. The rooms are very small however and the bathrooms are tiny. Our bed was NOT comfortable and it was difficult to get the room a comfortable temperature. The noise level was definitely UNBEARABLE for us. Above all, the management needs to make SERIOUS effort at realizing that without satisfied customers, the Metro has nothing. Obviously, many people find low cost & location overriding factors. I, for one, also appreciate customer service and comfort and with so many hotels to choose from in a city of this size would never recommend this hotel to anyone except someone who is searching for a low price at the expense of sacrificing other ammenities.
I totally love NYC and have found people on the street to be very kind & helpful. On my list of must sees in NYC: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty, Grand Central, Times Square & as many Broadway shows as your budget will allow. The wait to go up in the Empire State Bldg can be harrowing, but the view is worth seeing once. On our last trip, we had drinks in the Rainbow Room with a fabulous sunset view looking across at the Empire State Building and I enjoyed that much more. Also, the Observatory Tour of the State of Liberty is very interesting. For anyone with immigrant parents or relatives, Ellis Island is quite amazing. I was thrilled to be able to list my mother's name on the Immigrant Wall of Honor there. Definitely a special moment for me. NYC has far too many good restaurants to name, but the prix fix menus at many are a real bargain. Some of our recommendations include: DB Bistro, Lombardi's Pizza, Serendipity (order the frozen Hot Chocolate!), 21 Club, Bubby's, Acqua Pazza, and definitely brunch at Sarabeth's.
NYC definitely is one AMAZING city and we are huge fans!
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