The Jane

We were there for the New York City Marathon, and the bunk beds worked perfectly for us. The rooms are fine for two, and the showers were clean with plenty of hot water. It’s in a lovely West Village area, with historic streets and desirable, walkable, safe surroundings. I’d stay there again.

I left a full day early because I was worn out by the whole experience. I’d been excited about the Jane Hotel’s Titanic connection, but even the door signs, with a bell on one side and a skull and crossbones on the other, felt disrespectful given the real tragedy. The bunk-bed room seemed more like a boiler room than a boutique hotel, and beyond the bed, the amenities advertised online weren’t available. My first room was unbearably hot, nearly 100 degrees in the middle of winter. Housekeeping told me to open the window and switch on the AC, which seemed unreasonable, and the AC didn’t work anyway. At the front desk I reported it and asked where the bar was, only to learn that the bar, lounge, and rooftop were no longer open to hotel guests. Apparently over half the building had been sold to a private club. Those features and the hotel’s history were why I booked, so this was extremely frustrating. I chose The Jane largely because of its history and the special amenities shown on its website, but the stay didn’t match what was being marketed. It may once have been special, but now it felt misleading, poorly managed, and not worth the price or hype.

I stayed here for one night a few years ago. The building is beautiful, and its Manhattan location made it possible to get to the most popular spots in a reasonable time. My room was quite small and the window looked straight onto a brick wall, with no view at all. It was the cheapest room available, though. For the price, the location makes it a good value if you just need somewhere to rest for a few nights.

The shared bathrooms were clean, cleaner than at plenty of full-service hotels I’ve used, though I’d still bring shower shoes. The staff were relaxed and helpful. For a single person visiting Manhattan, at any age, who isn’t too fussy, this place is a great find despite its “2 star rating.” Jane street puts you right in the heart of one of New York’s coolest neighborhoods, with subways, markets, the Hudson, and just about anything else close by. The cheapest room is tiny, like Harry Potter’s room under the stairs, but has what you need: a comfy clean bed, a window, heat and AC, a TV, and a mirrored wall. I’d absolutely recommend it if it suits your situation.