Hotel Review: Hotel Giraffe, NYC

I took a chance with the Hotel Tonight app & ended up at the Hotel Giraffe following a day in New York City for work. The hotel is part of the Library Hotel Collection, so even though I hadn’t stayed there before, I knew I was in good hands.

Check-in was a breeze & my room was ready for me when I arrived at 4pm. I was a little dismayed to find my room directly across from the elevators, usually a noisy spot, but hall noise was never an issue. My queen bedroom was big by New York City standards. The cute little Juliet balcony was perfect for stepping out & getting some fresh air. The room had all sorts of gizmos & gadgets, including a switch by the bed which controlled a room darkening shade. The bathroom was a decent size & finished nicely. The tub was the perfect size for soaking & the slippers & robe were a great extra touch. The room included a two complimentary bottles of water, but no in-room coffee maker. However, a coffee maker (& lots of other amenities) can be requested from the front desk.

My few biggest complaints about the room? Zero desk space for working (I worked for a few hours sitting in a tiny, cushy chair – not my ideal), horrible HVAC (either too hot or too cold), & a rock hard bed. The location of my room also meant that there was a lot of overnight street noise from several garbage trucks – ’tis life in the city, I suppose. A plus side? The wifi was strong in the room & complimentary – perfect for my 3am insomnia!

As with all the properties in the Library Hotel Collection, the Hotel Giraffe has a delightful wine & cheese reception in the evening & a great continental breakfast in the morning. In addition, they have 24/7 coffee service available in the lobby (I may be slightly addicted to their decaf cappuccinos).

The staff, who knew I was traveling alone & only staying for one night, were still extremely nice. I love getting local restaurant recommendations from hotel staff & asked four different people for their favorite local eats, since it was my first time staying in that neighborhood. Their two recommendations were: the hotel restaurant & “this Italian place down the street” – not exactly the recommendations I was hoping for. Luckily, I stumbled upon a restaurant on my bucket list: Gramercy Tavern.

I’d give the Hotel Giraffe another shot if the price was right, largely because I loved the neighborhood. Next time I’ll ask for a room on a high floor, facing Park Ave., which would hopefully help create a quieter night. Luckily, if I find myself awake again, I can just have another decaf cappuccino.