Hotel Bijou - Union Square

I can’t recommend this hotel because of how it handled the extra charges, which is a shame given the clean room, good city-center location, and otherwise okay accommodation. Although Airbnb was fully paid in advance, the hotel added a $100 “security deposit” per night and a $25 “service fee.” I had to ask repeatedly and complain to Airbnb before the deposit was returned. The service fee never was, despite the hotel saying it would be. They didn’t apologize, and I don’t believe this was an accident. The windows were poorly insulated, so the room was fairly noisy, though they did provide earplugs.

The area can be loud and a little sketchy, but you’re near trains and local spots. The room was clean and warm, and they provided a fan. There’s no AC, which wasn’t a big deal during my winter visit but might be in summer. The place is dated, though the stay was decent. I arrived late and had some trouble getting in because the doors lock after a while and sometimes nobody is at the desk. For two days I had key problems and needed someone to let me into my room.

I’d happily recommend this hotel. The rooms and other accommodations are much better than you’d expect for such affordable rates, and the staff and management are genuinely friendly as well as hospitable.

It’s 3 a.m. and a DJ with a full bass system is blasting an event at Ciaorigato, sanctioned or not, who knows. We’re on the second floor, the walls are paper thin, and I’m exhausted. I’d give this hotel less than one star if I could. I can feel the bass shaking everything. The foam earplugs they offer do nothing. The sound rattled the walls so hard that roaches came loose from under the carpet and inside the walls. They don’t make it clear that the restaurant hosts events that go on into the early morning. The rooms have shaky beds, windows you can’t access, and no ventilation when you shower. The manager might say the hotel has no control over restaurant management or who they rent to. That’s no excuse. This stay has been miserable, and I hope I get my money back. Please don’t spend a dollar here. Save your money or pay a little more to stay somewhere else.