get a room at the back ;)
Good value for the location - a few steps away from the hubbub of Times Sq. First room I go was 2nd floor at the front. Newbie error I am sure. Room was tiny and smelled of cigarettes. But when I called the next morning and asked to swap the guy couldnt have been nicer and gave me 2 rooms to choose between. One at the back - 7th floor was fab. No view at ALL, but twice the size.
Rooms were clean but sparse. Air con woke me up a few times doing som clanking. I had a bath which made me very happy - but hot water seemed a bit unreliable in the bath and the plug didnt work - so you got out quick before it seeped away ;) No inroom amenities beyond bed and TV really, but the deli next door was great for morning coffee, juice etc. And I certainly had more channels than I've had in other hotels which was welcome
A bit scruffy around the edges, but if you want to be in the centre, with a quiet room for good value then its definitely possible at St James. 
As for the staff - it varied HUGELY - had a couple of guys who were wonderful, really great and helpful, then sometimes I got a couple of guys who just were totally stand offish. Happily the nicer guys seemed to work the most :)