Freehand New York

The service is what keeps me coming back to the Freehand. Everyone has been warm, friendly, and accommodating. The rooms are comfortable, and the decor feels inviting and interesting instead of like a soulless corporate hotel. There's a little café in the lobby that's handy for a quick breakfast, and the mezzanine bar is pricey, but the drinks are nice and the pours are generous. It's lower Manhattan, after all. I've stayed here several times while traveling back and forth to the East Village, usually choosing based on who has the best room rate, and the experience has been very consistent. It's on par with many of the other four-star NYC hotels I've tried. The location is good, and if you find a good price, it's worth staying. The old building does mean small rooms that can feel a bit claustrophobic, especially the cramped bathrooms. I've found that to some degree at every old hotel, so I can't fault the Freehand too much. It's also in a busy area, and some rooms get a fair bit of outside noise. That doesn't bother me, but it's something to keep in mind. I'd take off half a star for those issues, if only you could.

It's a simple place to stay, with no laundry machines or free breakfast, but the rooms are clean and safe and the location is perfect. You can walk out the door to tourist spots, and there's a café on-site. The architecture is beautiful, the layout is good, and people are friendly. Rooms are small, though that's fine for one or two travelers who'll spend most of the day exploring.

The staff were so friendly, and the TV right at the foot of the bed was a nice touch. It's serviceable if you're busy and just need somewhere to rest, but I wouldn't stay again. The ceilings are very low throughout the building and in the rooms, which gave me a claustrophobic feeling, like being on a boat. I didn't like that. There wasn't coffee in the room or even a drinking glass, so I had to ask Patsy's for a plastic cup.

We had a good five-night stay at Freehand, and booking a queen room instead of a solo seemed to work well for us. The bed may not have been the biggest queen ever, but it felt larger than a full. Our room had a decent view and plenty of light. I expected some NYC noise, but it wasn't noisy, and being on the 9th floor probably helped. Sometimes the water wasn't cold, though that didn't bother us much. The space is small but used well, and I appreciated the stools, furniture, and desk. They stored our luggage, then let us check in early at 11:30, which was a lifesaver on the first day. I do a lot of hotel research before traveling and had read recent complaints about small, noisy rooms. We booked directly through the website rather than Expedia, which I think is the way to go. There are coupon codes if you give them your email. I'd come back!