First the good points: the Pennsylvania is in a brilliant location for visiting the sights of New York. Directly opposite Penn Station, one block from Times Square, Macy's round the corner and in sight of the Empire State, it's ideally situated with the subway, buses, bars and fast food delis on the doorstep.
We booked very late and the Penn was about all we could find available in Manhattan sub $400 a night. It does have 1,700 rooms. But with size comes drawbacks. We had to queue for more than half an hour to check in and at a hotel that costs this much, that's not on. Get in early for check-out too or you'll have a long wait. The rooms are small and very basic, the decor is dark and dingy, the corridors like cell-blocks. It's not even faded elegance. Apart from the chandeliered reception area there's no elegance at all. This hotel desperately needs a makeover.
The main light in our room didn't work and it took 48 hours to get the bulb replaced. The chest of drawers was broken - no bottom in one of the drawers. it was never fixed despite being reported. The ironing board was broken. The sink in the bathroom was loose and unsafe. Our 4-day stay cost $1,200 but this was more like hostel accommodation.
If you must stay in central Manhattan the Penn is definitely in the right place. But don't expect the luxury you think you're paying for. Pennsylvania 65000 is well past its sell-by date.
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