Sumner Hotel

The one real downside was the noise from other rooms. There wasn't much soundproofing, so we could hear coughing next door and some guests being loud early in the morning. Still, I enjoyed the stay and would go again. The rooms were clean and spacious, the bathroom was nice, the staff were kind, and I really liked the furniture.

It's a busy New York area, so you hear horns, but I didn't find the noise excessive. The walls are a bit thin and we occasionally heard people talking in the halls, though I've had the same issue in much more expensive hotels, so it wasn't a big deal. We stayed at the Sumner Hotel for a week over Christmas and found it perfectly fine, comfortable, and accommodating. The room was small but clean, the bed was comfortable, and the continental breakfast was more than adequate. There was a little fridge for cold drinks and such. No room service, but plenty of nearby delis with reasonably priced free delivery, which is the next best thing. I was very pleased with the hotel, price, and location. We're coming back to NY next year and will probably stay there again.

The room's air conditioning didn't work, even though the hallway was icy cold. We had to prop the door open now and then just to let some cool air in. Then at 5 a.m., a couple next door started screaming and arguing, slamming doors, and even kicking our door. They seemed intoxicated. We called the front desk twice; they said they could hear it and were handling it, but the noise carried on for two straight hours. We woke up late and had to rush to check out on time. Someone at the desk said the manager would contact us about lowering the rate after such a bad stay. I never heard from the manager, even after calling several days later and leaving another message. Really poor customer service.

The lobby was tiny, run-down, unattractive, and didn't feel very welcoming. It felt like checking into a hostel in... not Brooklyn. The room itself was basic but had nice enough decor. The bathroom was fine, and the shower looked nice, though I didn't get to use it.