Buckingham Hotel - New York City, USA 

Pretty Decent, overall
Posted: Wed, Jul 23 2008
We booked this for a week in December when visitin the city. All the rooms are suites so there is plenty of room for everyone and everything (which is hard to find in NYC!). The beds and furniture, while basic and generic is style, were all very comfortable and clean. The bathroom, however spotlessly clean, looked like it was last updated in the 1960s. The kitchenette area was decent with a mini-fridge, microwave, toaster, and coffee maker, but again, quite outdated. We didn't have a view, but the windows opened and provided welcome cool air (the steam heat made the room quite warm and dry, but it was not adjustable, so being able to open the windows in the middle of December was great!). The staff were about 50/50 on their customer service skills, but one of them was repeatedly a smartass and not helpful at all. It's too bad we couldn't fire him. The TV did not come with any movie channels and the hotel didn't offer any VHS or DVDs because the room also did not come with any type of player for them! This surprised us at a nightly rate of about $270. They offered wi-fi, but only in the business lounge with no desk/table surfaces to work on and CNN droning in the background and no way to turn it off or change the channel. It was like the hotel wanted you to stay in your room because nothing else was good. Now, it's saving grace was it's location. It across the street and down the block from Carnegie Hall and just 8 blocks from Times Square and 2 blocks to Central Park so EVERYTHING (this is New York, afterall) is literally within easy walking distance. So basically the suites are comfortable and it's location really cannot be beat but the services could be better. To be honest, though, no one travels to New York for the service. It's the city you go for and everything it has to offer. As for me, I'll stay there again. Maybe when I go next time the service will have improved, but if not, I'll make sure the plan accordingly.

Dumpy hotel but good location
Posted: Tue, Jul 15 2008
I booked this hotel based on location and the price ($199/nite). The location was good - short walk from Times Square, Rockefeller Center, etc. Lots of train lines nearby as well. I have to say, the hotel was quite the dump. Our room was dingy, the rug was ripped up, the TV was terrible (but who watches TV), the bathroom had hair all over the walls (gross), toilet was backed up when we checked in, the vents were filthy and the bed was terrible. I've been to New York many times and stayed at different hotels in different price ranges. I tried to stay out of the room as much as possible here because it skeeved me out. The vents were completely covered in dust, which made me wonder what the hell was I breathing. Don't be fooled, the lobby of the Hotel is beautiful and very modern, but the rooms are run down and not very nice.

Impressive at the price.
Posted: Tue, Jul 08 2008
I stayed i 3G for a week. 3G is third floor on the corner of 57th street and 6th Avenue. This makes sure that you can hear the city, how ever after a full day of sightseeing even our 2 year old daughter had no problem sleeping. In my oppinion the noice of the city is part of the experience. 3G is a Deluxe 1 bedroom, and it is not like the one on the website. The furniture is a older and kept in brown, but in good condition. The rooms are big and there is lots of space arounf the bed. Enough room for a baby bed and a huge stroller. The living room has 2 sofas and a chair, a work table and a dining table. The small kitchen consistes only of a microwave oven. The bathroom is small, but when sitting on the "potty" you have the view over 6th avenue through the blinds. The hotel does not have a bar of lunchroom. How ever just up 57th street (less than 100 meters) there is the green cafe. Go here to get your breakfast. I can also recomend their sandwiches, they are a lot better than what I found elsewhere. on the oposite corner of 57th and 6th you'll find Rue57. Go here for drinks and.... Well their service and food is top of the line at a very nice price. The service in the hotel. I've stayed in a lot of hotels mainly in London, Z?rich and Gibraltar. I have never felt so welcome or had such quick responce to any type of requests. Not even when I asked for change to the in house laundrett (50+ quarters). They will help you order takeout and they even have a book of menues from places they recomend. There is free wireless access on the second floor. In room internet access costs $12 a day. The second floor has a very nice lounge where you can do your netting.... I will be recomending this hotel to every one. But if you can't sleep for the noice of the city that never sleeps then ask for a room on a higher floor than 3rd.