Vincci Avalon Hotel

( 4 stars , New York , United States )

Overbooked and shabby We got there after a long flight and wwer told our room had not been vacated and we had to go to another hotel - they arranged and then come back in the morning. Such a hassle and cut into our visit time by quite a lot. The sam thing happened to another party and they were so upset as it was a family reunion and everyone else was there

We had never been to NYC and really lucked out with the Avalon. We stayed in the junior suite and it was perfect for our family of four.

Nice to be out of the craziness of Time Square and other tourist hot spots, yet still really close (4 blocks to the empire state building). With only 100 rooms, we did not have to navigate long hallways and long elevator rides/waits.

The hotel staff was friendly and very accomodating. The room was clean and appeared to have been recently refurbished. The beds were comfortable and we noticed no street noise at night. We selected this hotel because it seemed to be one of the few in NY where we could get two queen size beds to accomodate us and our two college age sons. The separate sitting room was nice too.

If this hotel were managed by a company that put customers first, it would get much higher rating than I am giving it here. But for me, the experience of this hotel was something out of a bad situation comedy. Despite pre-paying for 2 nights well in advance, I was told that they had no rooms available when I arrived from San Francisco around 11 pm at night. I was told that the people who were in my room prior to my arrival decided to stay an extra night and they had to accommodate them. (That has never been something offered to me when I have asked to stay over and a hotel was booked). Needless to say I was ticked but I was up the creek without a paddle, as they say. It wouldn't help for me to make a scene so I didn't. They told me that they called around to other hotels and everything was booked solid. BUT they were able to find something 12 blocks away. I had specifically chosen this hotel because I had business meetings at the Empire State Building and I wanted to be able to get in and out quickly. To their credit they paid for my taxi and hotel room. What else was I going to do??? I took the new booking and the place was AWFUL! (That will be another review). The next morning, prior to my meetings, I returned to the Vincci Avalon to confirm whether or not I would have a room there that night. They confirmed it so I asked if I could check my luggage with the Bellman until my room was ready (sometime after my meetings ended at 5pm). I checked my bag and went to the Empire State Building. At 5, I returned to the hotel, got my room and then asked for my luggage. Long story short, they lost it. Not only that, I watched other people try to check in (despite their having paid in advance as well) and was told that the hotel was overbooked. Apparently this is how this hotel operates. I am a savvy business traveler and have been around the world. Never have I been told that my reservation couldn't be honored because of over booking, (airlines maybe, but never a hotel). Hours after I got there, my bag was found and in the end I was none the worse for wear. Still, this really reflected ineptness that a business traveler shouldn't tolerate. I won't ever again book with this chain. Here's what would have made this better for me: They should have found a place that was at least equal in quality (4 star or better) rather than the low class place I was booked. They should have offered me complimentary breakfast at the Vincci for the next morning. When they lost my bag, I should have received over the top apologies. They should have had the manager notified and he (I know that it was a he) should have spoken with me personally. I should have at least been offered a complimentary drink at the bar to calm my frayed nerves. If that had happened, I would have written a very different review. It's not that crap happens... it's how you treat people once it does.

Small but comfortable The hotel location was excellent, more or less across the road from the Empire State Building. The reception staff were not ever so friendly but the bar staff and bell boys were. The breakfast buffet (not included) was good but expensive and so was the bar.

I take a trip for pleasure and shopping generally twice a year to New York City. It is the highlight of my year and I have never been dissappointed. I have stayed at many wonderful hotels such as The Hudson, The St. Regis and The Paramount. This year,for the first time, I chose to take my children and their best friend for a week. The shows were fabulous but the hotel was a nightmare. When we arrived they did not have avaiable the room we had booked some weeks ahead of time. They advised that the room online was no longer available and the only room close to it was all booked. For this inconvenience, they never offered an adjustment. During our stay the shower broke twice, once having the knob of the shower completely fall off. Additionally, the safe would not close and then would not open -- with all of our money inside. They made a trip to our room 4 times with regard to the safe. A drawer in the hotel fell on my son, and after suppposedly being repaired, it again fell on me. They left it on the floor for the remainder of our stay. Our room phone did not work for two of the days we were there. I booked this hotel, based on recommnendations in the New York Travel Guide, online information, and a book entitled How to see New York. I was informed by these sources that it was kid friendly with child amenities. They too claimed to have room service, which you would expect in a hotel of this level. The first night, after a long tiring day, we ordered room service to find that they had no room service despite their advertisement on the web.

The Avalon was very clean and the junior suite was large. Having two TVs allowed everyone to watch what they wanted. The concierge was very helpful and the rest of the staff very courteous and friendly. The beds were out of this world - very comfortable. We also liked the location.

Great place to go to with a significant other. A regal setting, with beautiful decor. Everyone was pleasant and you could almost stay inside this hotel and never want to go out and see the rest of ny.

Old but spacious Great location just off 5th Avenue and easily accessible to both up and downtown locations. Forget Century 21 downtown unless you like large warehouses with no bargains and concentrate on large stores that give non-U.S. resident discount.