San Carlos Hotel

We had a memorable stay and would keep this hotel in mind for our next visit. Our room felt more like an apartment, with lots of space, a living area, and a kitchenette. The pull-out couch worked well for our third guest, and the cleaning crew did such a careful job that the room felt homey whenever we came back. Staff were friendly throughout and quick to help.

The staff are the reason we gave it five stars. Everyone, from the cleaners to reception, was warm and made us feel at home. Our room was spacious and tidy, with a really comfortable bed. The building is old, and anyone sensitive to that sort of thing may find the furniture dated. Still, the location was ideal for a first New York visit, with many attractions an easy walk away. We're glad we stayed here.

The staff were lovely from check-in through housekeeping, and the room was a fairly large king. Still, I probably wouldn't book this hotel again. It felt tired, and a little paint and some newer furniture would help. There was a bed, dresser with a TV, and a desk with a rolling chair, but no comfortable place to sit with a friend or wait besides the bed. The TV remote didn't work. Since there was a full business centre above the lobby, I'd have preferred two sitting chairs and a side table instead of the desk setup. We could hear every word from the family in the adjoining room. They didn't seem especially loud, so the walls just felt thin. The robes looked clean and unused, but had small stains that put me off wearing one. The location was about a 10-15 minute walk from most things, with the subway nearby, but not much right outside. We picked it for the theatres and to save about $100 a night compared with where we usually stay nearer Broadway. That saving didn't make up for the comfort and distance tradeoffs. Maybe we planned poorly, but I wouldn't recommend it to others. It wasn't a terrible stay, just not one I'd repeat.

The rooms were comfortable, clean, and well maintained, which made for a relaxing visit. Carlos deserves a special mention for being so attentive, helpful, and kind. His service helped us feel welcome, as did the professionalism and warmth of the whole team. I had an excellent experience at Hotel São Carlos and would happily return. I'd recommend it to anyone seeking comfort and good service in New York.