citizenM New York Bowery

The staff were friendly and genuinely useful, with good suggestions for nearby food, nightlife, and sights. The Bowery location worked really well too, close to SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown, and plenty of places to eat. Beds were very comfortable, the blackout curtains made it easy to sleep past sunrise, and the whole hotel felt clean and well maintained. I especially liked how the lobby lounge had a social buzz while still being a comfortable place to relax, meet friends, or get some work done. There was always good music, and the seating and contemporary art added to the feel. The room design was smart and functional, surprisingly spacious by New York standards, with controls on a large digital panel for the lights, blinds, and temperature. From the moment I walked into citizenM New York Bowery, the modern, energetic atmosphere felt welcoming and stylish without giving up comfort. It was one of the coolest hotel experiences I've had in the city, and a fun, practical choice for solo travelers, couples, or anyone looking for a social vibe.

We spent the Christmas holiday here and had a great time. The building was well maintained, the location was ideal, and it met nearly all our expectations for a high-quality stay. The room was modern and integrated, with an iPad that intuitively controlled the lighting, climate, and media. The room also had a view that added to the atmosphere. We enjoyed the updated tech and location and would recommend it for a holiday visit. My small reservation was the bathroom privacy. It's only separated by a frosted glass partition, which leaves very little privacy. They should find a way to improve that even in smaller rooms.

The staff were pleasant to talk to and did their best to help, even though the problems I raised were never resolved. I liked that I could choose my room's view at the simple, efficient check-in, and I picked a view over Soho rather than Brooklyn. The rooftop bar also has FANTASTIC views. The location is easy to reach by rail, road, or on foot. I liked the neighbourhood and, as a woman on my own, felt quite safe within reason walking around at night. The clean gym has a good range of equipment for most people's needs. I didn't try breakfast, though it looked pretty good. Having a microwave, crockery, and cutlery available to guests at all times was especially useful. US food portions are really large to me, and I almost never finish a meal out, so reheating leftovers in the mini fridge helps avoid food waste. My room was compact and practical for a short stay, but the floor wasn't clean at check-in. Housekeeping came by daily and still didn't clean it until I specifically asked. I also had trouble with the iPad and the heating. I raised the heating every day, but it was never fixed. I stayed in early January, when NYC was VERY cold. An extra duvet kept me warm in bed, but I was cold otherwise, especially after a shower. For a well respected brand like CitizenM, warmth in the room is the bare minimum.

The hotel was lovely overall. We loved the design, location, rooftop, and kind staff enough that we kept saying we'd book again on our next trip and recommend it to friends. I do wish staff had tried harder to make things right after my bag went missing, though everyone was kind and I would give the hotel another chance. They require housekeeping on Sundays. I had left a reusable canvas tote from my Broadway visit under the coat hangers near the trash, and the maids took it, thinking it was rubbish. It held souvenirs I'd paid for, including a signed playbill from the lead performer on her last weekend in the role. That was one of my trip highlights and is truly irreplaceable. I believe it was an honest human error, not malicious, since my other valuables were left untouched. When I told staff, they offered no compensation for the things I'd bought. In a tourist city with tiny rooms, I hope they learn not to throw away anything outside the trash can while guests are still staying in the room. It was very sad to realize the bag was gone, and I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else.