I was checked into room 1201 located next to elevator shaft. The noise was overwhelming. In this rather large old hotel there are only two elevators, so they are constantly running. And since it's an old hotel (formerly Ambassador East Hotel, built in 1926) that was repainted, with no infrastructure investments, the two elevators are old very loud and noisy.
The front desk said they were full but might be able to move me if I wanted to pay to upgrade. That made me even more upset, trying to up sell me because of their issue.
When I was checking out the manager discounted the fact that my room was not conducive to sleep, and basically said if I wanted to pay for a two class upgrade, a room would be available. I asked her to switch me to the room without noise and give someone else who also paid a standard rate my room next to the elevator. Then she shared their dirty little secret, ALL the rooms on every floor located next to the elevator shaft are exactly the same, very noisy. So that's exactly what you will get if you pay a standard room rate, the shaft. She acknowledged that the room was noisy, but didn't budge on moving me.
I travel globally and have stayed in many 5 star and 4 star hotels, and with minimal troubles. And if there were any issues they were resolved. But at the Public Hotel, the customer isn't always right.....the duty manager is. She stood firm on trying too get additional revenue at my expense. Even though she had rooms to move me but wanted me to pay the upgrade. I absolutely refused to pay more for their poor customer service and inferior noisy room. This minimalist hotel skimped on the sound proofing but spent on the sheets.
I would strongly discourage anyone for booking the standard room, because they will try and pawn off their substandard and extremely noisy rooms, then want to up sell you to a room away from the elevator noise.
Obviously, I won't be referring anyone to support this establishment.
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