Tired, dirty, noisy... would not return
I think this property is well rated because of the size of the rooms and the mini kitchen, but it certainly does not deserve the high trip advisor ranking. I have noticed the hotels with kitchenettes or larger sized rooms tend to rate better than they really should though, so if these are important elements you'd probably be happy here.
Obviously this is not for the Four Seasons crowd, but if you are expecting something on par with even a new-ish Sheraton or Hyatt you'll be very disappointed. 
Here's the good:
- Large rooms, especially for New York but really if you travel a good deal this is a generous room by any standards.
- Small kitchen... rare unless you book a condo or a long term stay hotel. Nice for lots of travelers but this was not the reason we booked this hotel.
- Friendly staff, although maybe not competent
- Lots of lights! Unlike most hotels which are dimly lit the rooms has many light sources and bright lights.
- Good water pressure in the shower.
- Decor is better than most hotels (sleeping areas and lobby).
- Nice faucets in the bathroom, satin nickel finish.
The bad:
- Rooms look tired and need refreshing. Wallpaper is bubbling and peeling in areas, bathrooms feel old even with the granite counter, kitchen is very outdated with laminate counters and appliances appear ancient. Bathroom needs repainting (a different color would also help tremendously!)
- Dirty! REALLY DIRTY. The tops of both the desk and small table had crumbs and water marks. The chair and ottoman has several stains, as well as the carpet (which is very dark). The good news is that the bedding appeared very clean, which is the most important. There is black mildew around fixtures and around the tub. Appears re-caulked but badly done. I wore flip flops to take a shower even though the tub seemed clean! Just feels gross in the bathroom! It's really not that hard, people. Just clean it!
- Super noisy in the rooms. I read a few other reviewers say the lower rooms were noisy so I requested an upper floor. While I was told this wouldn't be a problem when I called before I booked, when I arrived I was assigned the 8th floor. I knew that by booking on Expedia I ran the risk of being assigned to an undesirable room, which is why I spoke with Tasha at the front desk before I committed to booking. She assured me that would not happen and told me to email her my reservation info once I booked. Not sure why nothing was worked out but this is something guests should consider before booking here through a third party. I even offered to book through their website as it was about $75 more but was told I wold not get the short shrift. Live and learn I guess. I tried to move up but was told the entire hotel was already booked. The guy at the front desk even looked surprised when I mentioned the comments about the noise level on the lower floors and assured me they were quiet. SO NOT TRUE! I honestly thought a window was open because the noise is so loud. Until very recently I lived an a major city, and I visit Manhattan twice a year, so this is not an issue of not understanding the level of noise that automatically goes with sleeping in New York. But the windows are so inferior to blocking out noise you can practically hear conversations taking place outside. The walls must be thin too because I can hear every word the neighboring guest is saying (and all her dance songs). There is a crying baby two doors down and I can hear her too. Again, living in major cities a good portion of my life I have to say I am not noise sensitive, but the level of noise is too much for probably 90% of guests.
- Elevators are too slow. 
I ended up at the Affinia Dumont because nearly every other reasonably hotel was booked in NY. For three nights I paid $1200 (including tax). My money would have been better spent if I stayed somewhere else and paid $1500-1800, which was what I was prepared to do when I came across this hotel and saw the high ranking on Trip Advisor. In fact, before my first night ended I tried canceling one of the nights so I could move to a different hotel, but was not able because I booked through Expedia. 
This hotel gets a serious NOT RECOMMENDED review from me.