Overview
Located in between Madison Ave. and 5th Ave. in midtown Manhattan and about a 3-minute walk from the nearest metro station, the Avalon Hotel Manhattan is suitable for pedestrian travellers who prefer a centrally located, boutique-style hotel with easy access to public transit.
This non-smoking hotel has 100 air-conditioned guest rooms and suites, each offering free Wi-Fi, cable TV, a mini-bar, a mini-fridge, a desk, an iPod docking station, an iron and ironing board, an in-room safe and a hair dryer. Standard rooms offer one double bed, while rooms with a jetted tub and a seating area with a sofabed are also available. The hotel does not offer wheelchair-accessible rooms.
Hotel amenities include meeting/conference space, a business centre, free coffee, guest laundry facilities and a continental breakfast for an additional $14.95 per person, which may be free with some promotional packages. Parking is available on site for $40 per day, and pets are not permitted.
Don's Bogam Restaurant is across the street, and there are several restaurants, coffee shops and bars within a 5-minute walk of the hotel. The Empire State Building is a 3-minute walk northward. Manhattan Mall can be found 7 minutes away on foot, and J.F.K. International Airport (JFK) is roughly a 15-minute drive southeast of the hotel. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Verified with a front desk agent: Free Wi-Fi, parking $40/day, pets not permitted, not wheelchair accessible. (Call Date: May 29, 2013)
The GoodThe majority of the reviews sourced for this analysis were positive, with much praise going to the hotel's staff, location and rooms.
Numerous reviewers were pleased with the level of customer service they received while at the hotel, and found the staff to be friendly, helpful and service-minded. One guest also found the staff helpful in assisting with directions.
The hotel's location was the source of many compliments by lodgers. It was described as close to restaurants, shopping, the Empire State Building, Times Square, Macy's and various subway stations and bus stops. One reviewer stated, "It's in a brilliant location, making it within walking distance of a good shopping area and some major sightseeing spots".
Several guests enjoyed the hotel's accommodations. They described their rooms as clean, spacious and quiet, with comfortable beds and linens. Some guests did have complaints about their rooms, however (see below).
The Bad
While the majority of reviews consulted for this analysis were positive, there were a few complaints about the rooms.
While the majority of guests were pleased with their clean and comfortable rooms, some reviewers were disappointed, and reported worn decor and furniture and no in-room coffeemakers. The other main complaint about the rooms was that there wasn't individual temperature control. They hotel controls whether air conditioning or heat is on, and guests only have the option of turning the units on or off. Several guests found the temperatures in their rooms uncomfortable and hard to regulate.
Booking.com guest reviews rated the hotel 8.3 out of 10 from 1,030 reviews.
Expedia.ca guest reviews rated the hotel 4.1 out of 5 with an 88% recommendation rate from 677 reviews.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviews ranked the hotel #98 out of 433 New York City hotels with an 87% recommendation rate and an average 4 out of 5 rating from 252 reviews.
The author called the hotel on May 29, 2013 to verify some information.
