Looking for something off the beaten path, away from the midtown madness? The Union Square Inn may be to your liking. Located on 14th Street East near 3rd and just two blocks from a NYU outpost, the Union Square is small but mighty.
The subway stop is right outside the door, making it a convenient location and it was amazingly quiet! Didn't know there was quiet in the City.
Ok, the rooms are sparse, do not except anything special. No fluffy robes, no pillow top beds, no coffee maker in the room, no hair dryer in fact. Forget about a view, or room service or clock radio to wake you. However, the beds were comfortable, clean, clean, clean. If you can't get up on time, ask for a wake up call. The floors are tiled so you don't have to wonder what's hiding in the carpet. The bathroom in our room was newly remodeled, walk in tiled shower, grout was spotless, no mold, no bugs, no stains. Whew!
Coffee and bagels and juice were provided from 7:30 - 9:30 each morning in a common area off the itty bitty lobby. Great for the first caffeine rush of the day, enough to satisfy before heading out.
The front desk personnel could not have been friendlier. Polite, organized, really on top of their game. They obviously enjoy their work here. The night before our departure, we ordered a car for the trip back to JFK, skeptical that it would arrive. It not only arrived but it was early. Another Whew!
What was my biggest concern? The fact that we were on the subway line. Yes you can hear/feel the rumble of the train during the night if you are a light sleeper, but I looked at it as comforting rather than annoying. I knew the trains were running, making my stay that much more efficient.
Saw lots of families and business people in the short two nights as "inn mates". Union Square is three blocks away. The Saturday morning Greenmarket was an incredible delight. Wished I could rent an apt for just one night and cook up a storm.
If you stay at the Inn, stop by Max Brenner's Chocolate By The Bald Man for breakfast - yum. No, not yum, affordable YUM.
So if you want to spend your vacation money on something other than a concierge and bell boy, if you want something in a more residential area, give it a try. Keep an open mind, bring your own hair dryer and you may just have a great stay.