Is trendy better than traditional?
I stayed at the Public last week-end and was curious to see how it had changed from its prior incarnation as the Ambassador East. I'd stayed at this location several times over the last few years and appreciated the low prices and location. It seems that only the location has remained unchanged. The rooms have gone from dark wood to blond wood. The beds are now set 6 inches off the ground. The bathrooms have a sink that has practically a flat surface so that it drains poorly. The shower never got hot and the water pressure was poor. My biggest complaint was that when they completely renovated the hotel, they didn't put in more insullation in the walls. I was awakened early Sunday morning by the person in the room next door speaking on her cell phone. I could hear every word of her conversation distinctly even though she was only speaking in a normal tone of voice.
On the plus side, the staff was courteous and check in and check out was fast and convenient. Also, the price was reasonable, although about 20% higher than I'd been paying when it was the Ambassador East. It was nice to see the Pump Room so busy. I miss the atmosphere of the old place, but I recognize that it wasn't doing any business and that a change was necessary. Still, couldn't thay have found space to show at least some of the classic celebrity photos?
Perhaps most people will appreciate the hotel's new modern styling, but I prefer the traditional. I consider a hotel's primary function is to provide a good night's sleep at a reasonable price. The price is still reasonable, but getting a good night's sleep is dependent on the nocturnal habits of your neighbors.