Saint Nicholas Inn

The beds were incredibly uncomfortable, though the rooms were clean. The kitchen, toilet and separate shower were all clean enough, and no breakfast was included. The full payment is taken up front. They send check-in details on the day of the reservation, which worried me because my two emails the week before went unanswered. Lawrence, the innkeeper, was very kind, and we had a lovely stay. Knowing what I know now, I'd stay again. I wouldn't call it a B&B, more like a hostel, but it was safe and clean for unwinding after long days in the city.

It was clean and quiet, and we felt very safe. The owner was extremely kind and went out of his way to get us into our room early. The C train is literally two houses away, which makes it easy to get downtown or almost anywhere. A hidden gem, and you can't beat the price.

We only used the guest house to sleep, since we spent the days out exploring. It's in upper Manhattan, about half an hour by subway from Times Square and the main city center, and the subway stop is just 50 metres from the door. The old house had the comfort we needed, and the host was kind and very helpful. My stay was nice and comfy. I'd recommend it if you want somewhere good and comfortable that's not too fancy, central, or expensive.

The only nearby food place is a Dunkin Donuts. Lawrence, who owns the place, didn't communicate or send any check-in or check-out instructions. We were worried to walk around without socks because it was so gross. The online booking photos weren't close to how it looks now, and I don't know if it used to be nicer, but it has gone downhill as far as it possibly could. In ten years of travel, this was the worst place I've stayed: dirty, worn down, and even unsafe. The mattresses in the Green Room were awful, with every spring sticking out hard. None of the three of us got quality sleep over two nights. There was no breakfast or even snacks or drinks in the kitchen, just an ice tray half full in the freezer. The toilet room is tiny, with the sink right in your face when you sit down. The shower room was gross, and the tiles were in horrible, broken condition. The stairs are sloped and creaky, and the exterior hasn't been maintained. Avoid it at all costs. It's worth paying another $25-$50 a night to stay somewhere else, anywhere else.