Casamia 36 Hotel

Sandwiched between and set back from its neighbors, the narrow redbrick facade of the 36 Hudson appears somewhat squeezed skyward. Upon entering, after passing under the long portico entrance, the property's super-compact size is immediately evident. In fact, the only public area is this small lobby, with a shimmering metallic front desk and a few funky contemporary furnishings that make up the TV lounge area. There's also a single elevator servicing the 10 floors -- which upper-level guests can find inconvenient -- and a pair of red doors that lead into unfussy stairwells. The 36 Hudson Hotel was formerly The Gem Hotel, and the new name came in 2015 along with fresh ownership and a total makeover of the interiors. The hotel attracts all kinds of clientele, including business guests, families, and couples -- though stays tend to be short. This is one of the more affordable hotels in the neighborhood; the family-owned Hotel St. James is around the same price and has more dated rooms, but some prefer it for its homey vibe. 

The hotel is set in a less popular part of Midtown West, between 9th and 10th Avenue on 36th Street -- a quiet block lined with nondescript residential buildings, parking lots, and garages. While the area sees a lot of traffic from the Lincoln Tunnel -- and its network of roadways that one needs to negotiate in order to get to the more interesting parts of Manhattan -- it is just a 10-minute walk to the restaurants, bars, and flea market of Hell's Kitchen. It's also around three blocks to the nearest Subway station (34th Street – Hudson Yards), an eight-minute walk to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and 10 minutes on foot to Madison Square Garden and Penn Station. Getting to Times Square is a bit more of a trek -- about 20 minutes on foot, or a short subway ride. 

The 39 renovated rooms are neat and modern with a smart monochrome palette that incorporates ebony-effect wood furnishings and series of black-and-white photographs. Some of the rooms are tiny and can feel cramped even by New York standards, though a few larger rooms are available. Amenities include 32-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod-docking alarm clocks, and free Wi-Fi, plus coffeemakers and free bottled water. Bathrooms are clean and functional, with shower/tub combos, and wall-mounted hairdryers and toiletries. Views are generally unimpressive; most are of neighboring walls, and some higher-floor rooms overlook the unattractive surrounds.

The front desk is manned around the clock, offering the usual concierge services including ticketing, laundry, and transport booking. Beyond this, and free Wi-Fi throughout the building, the hotel has no other facilities available to guests.