Manhattan Broadway Hotel

Guests may do a double-take when arriving to Manhattan Broadway. There, above the door, is a bleak "HOTEL" sign to alert guests that they have arrived to the correct address. One might find themselves looking around to make sure they are at the right property, as the entrance can easily be confused with two Asian food joints on either side. Once through this door, though, guests head down a hallway with glass striped walls that feels more modern than the exterior. The front desk is a small area and sits opposite a high-top table with two desktop computers. There could be a wait to check in, as there is usually just one staff member, often working out a problem on the phone or helping a another guest (possibly about switching room types, or minor maintenance issues). Behind the front desk is a single bathroom and an area for storing luggage. A staircase leads up to the rooms, or guests can use the small elevator which can be found next to a shelf with NYC activity pamphlets, a pay phone, and soda machine.

Guests might see each other in the hallways, waiting for the elevator, or while standing in line to talk to the staff. The Housekeeping Manager may be making the rounds on the floors and, in passing, will make a friendly reminder to turn off the lights before leaving. Most of the time, though, guests are out for the day and night. The families, couples, and friends staying here hail from all over the world -- there are often Europeans, Australians, and Brazilians -- and all are on a budget, looking for no more than a bed and bathroom.

Manhattan Broadway Hotel has a nondescript entrance on West 38th Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues (closer to Eighth). This area is known as the Garment District, which lies within the larger Manhattan area of Midtown West. Guests who stay here choose the hotel for two reasons: cheap rooms and a central location that puts them within blocks from the Theater District, Times Square, Bryant Park, Port Authority and Penn Station. A longer walk gets guests to Rockefeller Center, shops along Fifth Avenue, and Central Park. Nearby Penn Station has several subway lines to access other neighborhoods: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, and to get to Queens, the 42 Street 7 train can take passengers all the way to the Mets ballpark.

There is a CitiBike station outside the hotel entrance -- bikes are not always available during peak commute hours (there are many office workers in this area) -- but when they are, guests can ride a few blocks west to get to Hudson River Parkway for a path that goes for miles in either direction. Guests can purchase essentials at several convenience stores, and dining options for budget travelers -- especially ethnic food -- can be found in this area as well as a few blocks north in Hell's Kitchen.

• 10-minute walk to Bryant Park
• 10-minute walk to Penn Station and Madison Square Garden
• 11-minute walk to  Empire State Building
• 12-minute walk to Times Square
• 13-minute walk to Theater District
• 15-minute walk to nearest High Line park entrance (W. 30th St. and 10th Ave.; elevator access)
• 20-minute walk to Rockefeller Center

There are 43 rooms to the property and they can be accessed via stairwell or the small elevator near the front desk. All rooms have simple bedding, flat-screen TVs on the walls, small desks, ice buckets, two glasses, and narrow, open closets with safes (no extra charge). Forget about views as most rooms have frosted windows that only open a few inches, if at all.

Rooms with two twin beds are good for friends traveling together. They have a cute color scheme with pink sheets and orange accents. Some rooms have accent walls in either red or blue, and many have mosaic-style tiling on half of the wall to add a dose of decor. Furnishings are basic overall and show wear and tear. Other room types include a king, queen and full bed option, as well as a bunk room that can sleep three. Suites have two separate rooms that can sleep up to six.

Bathrooms are slightly inconsistent, as some have a large glass bowl-style sink without any counter space while others offer more counter space. Tub/shower combos have multi-nozzle showers and some have jetted tubs and an extra removable nozzle. Many have nice hairdryers, though eco-friendly toiletries include only shampoo and soap (no conditioner).

This 43-room budget hotel can hardly be lauded for its features. On the first floor is a narrow front desk area with two computer terminals for guest use. It's a tight area and it can get crowded when other guests are checking in or out. For in-room Wi-Fi, guests pay a weekly fee. Next to the elevator is a pay phone and vending area for sodas, water, and ice. Luggage storage is found behind the front desk next to a single bathroom and costs no additional charge.