old hotel trying to be hip
I will preface my comments by saying that this was one of three hotels designated for a conference, so I did not choose this hotel on my own. As others note, offers a great location on the upper west side with easy access to the subway, Central Park, shopping, etc. BUT, there are many drawbacks. I had a TINY room (think European or Latin American hotels, only smaller). Although the room had technically been "remodeled" the mattress was old, lumpy, soft, and squeaky, the grout in the bathroom shower was all darkened w/ mildew stains, and the room window air conditioner made a horrible racket when turned to cool. There's no coffee maker in the room (though there is a fridge -- a plus!). As others note, the place is under construction. The lobby is all torn up. There is one tiny "lounge" for guests on the first floor where they offer coffee, but otherwise, there are absolutely no other public spaces. I chose this hotel in part because they have a gym, but it is TINY, with a limited range of equipment and overall pretty beaten up. When I went in, there were hardly enough towels there at 8:30 in the morning. 
 I have traveled quite a bit, including numerous trips to Europe and Latin America. I have modest expectations. But this hotel just doesn't meet them. There is something creepy about this place. As my title suggests, it's trying to transform itself from what seems to be a very modest (I'd argue somewhat grubby) hotel, into a hip place in keeping w/ it's hip location. Right now that transition is far from complete. I'd say beware a hotel that features its in-room soap and shampoo as a selling point on its website; it suggests it doesn't have much to offer. In the US I've stayed at better Holiday Inn Expresses than this for a fraction of the price. Now, that's a sad commentary, but I guess that we are all supposed to believe that we can put up w/ anything just to be in NY! I don't think so. Pick someplace else to stay is what I say!!