Hotel Stanford

Hotel Stanford’s limestone facade and Beaux-Arts design are classic of New York. The lobby, refurbished in 2017, evokes the city’s chic and modern side with its sleek black, gray, cream, and brown color scheme plus grid-pattern steel doors and the large print of the city’s skyscrapers on one wall. Scarce real estate limits the reception area from holding little more than the front desk -- seating areas are limited to the adjacent bar -- and hallways and staircases are also narrow. While scaffolding and construction of neighboring buildings are likely to surround the hotel at any given time, the property itself is clean and classy, and especially popular among tourist couples and travelers on quick business trips.

In the heart of Manhattan’s Koreatown and an eight-minute walk to Penn Station, Hotel Stanford’s lower Midtown location is central, but that also means constant street noise can be an issue. Several New York City landmarks are within walking distance. The Empire State Building is two minutes away on foot, while Macy’s department store is a four-minute walk away. Times Square is a 13-minute walk. Several subway stops are within a five-minute walk from the hotel. Via public transport it’s 15 minutes to Central Park, 25 minutes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and 30 minutes to the Statue of Liberty ferry. John F. Kennedy International Airport is an hour away by car. La Guardia is 25 minutes away and Newark Airport takes about 45 minutes to reach.

Rooms are categorized by bed size and they have suite options for Queen and King bed rooms which are larger and include a sitting area. Besides that, all of the amenities in the rooms are the same regardless of size. They all have air conditioning, Wifi, a TV, a safe, a mini-fridge, an office chair and ironing equipment. None of them have beverages or kettles (kettles can be provided upon request).

Rooms here aren’t huge, but are on the spacious side by New York standards, and several offer views of the iconic Empire State Building. With studded leather headboards, bed skirts, valance drapes, and classic dark wood bedside tables and lamps, room decor is on the traditional side, but still maintains an old-school appeal. Cabinets and desks can show a bit of wear. Economic Rooms are purely functional, with just air-conditioning, kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Standard Rooms also have TVs and safes, plus mini-fridges and a few beverages. Deluxe Rooms and Suite-level rooms come with separate sitting areas, larger mini-fridges, dressing tables with chairs, and ironing equipment.

Bathrooms are clean, well-sized, and warmly lit. Bath & Body Works toiletries and hairdryers are provided. All come with shower/tub combos and handheld showerheads except for Standard Double Double Rooms, which have walk-in showers and handheld showerheads.

Like most boutique New York Hotels, this one comes with limited amenities. Guests won’t find a pool or gym here, but the 1986 Est. Wine Bar & Lounge offers happy hour specials every evening in a small setting decorated with giant globe-shaped pendant lights, leather seating, and bold wallpaper. The bar also serves free tea, coffee, and snacks to guests during the day. As of April 2017, an adjacent sake bar, outfitted in sleek modern wood and long tables, is available for drinks and there's a Japanese restaurant. A free continental breakfast is available daily, and includes a passable selection of breads, cereals, pastries, and fruit. Guests have complained about paper plates and flimsy plastic cutlery. Other free extras include newspapers and Wi-Fi throughout the property.