Great location for most people it seems
What is cozy and charming for some people is ratty for others
Roger Smith Hotel
501 Lexington Ave
(between 47th St & 48th St)
New York, NY 10017
Neighborhood: Midtown East
(212) 755-1400
(between 47th St & 48th St)
New York, NY 10017
Neighborhood: Midtown East
(212) 755-1400
- Nearest Transit Station:
-
51 St. (4, 6, 6X)Grand Central - 42 St. (7, 7X)Grand Central - 42 St. (4, 5, 6, 6X)
- Price Range:
- $$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
44 reviews for Roger Smith Hotel
Review Highlights What's this?
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"...in Midtown near Rockefeller Center, Grand Central, subway stops, etc." In 7 reviews -
"...rate make this a great place to stay during your visit to NYC." In 17 reviews -
"This is not traditional of NYC hotels in midtown on the whole." In 8 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
43 reviews in English
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Review from Jon F.
San Francisco, CAFeels like you're staying at someone's house. My room had hardwood floors, a bookshelf full of old books and nice antique furniture. Definitely a unique hotel experience and a great bargain for NYC (think I paid &175/night). Great location too, near Penn Station and Grand Central Station. -
Review from Patrick S.
San Francisco, CAAccommodations - 2 stars. Service - 3.
For $300/night you can find a lot of options even in NYC.
I felt like I was visiting a distant relation and they'd put me up in their dated, slightly crumbling guest room. They were so nice I hate to complain and if the room was an insane bargain I would be much more generous about the lack of amenities.
The bed was very, very comfortable and I loved the location. -
Review from Greg G.
New York, NYWhen Hurricane Sandy struck I was left without power or cell service in my apartment in SoPo (south of power) for a week.
As I walked north into midtown, I saw:
- dozens of closed Starbucks with people huddled outside for wifi
- the Grand Hayatt security force preventing non-guest from entering their huge lobby
- people set up with laptops at Duane Reades
Very depressing.
Then I stumbled upon the Roger Smith Hotel. Their staff was extremely accommodating. They brought out dozens of power strips so everyone could charge their phone. Their free wifi was blazing fast despite the dozens of people on it. They gave out coffee, water and candy for free. They even had $4 beers (unheard of in midtown).
If you look up "hospitality" in wikipedia, there should be an image of Roger Smith's staff. Very impressive. -
Review from Chuck H.
Hansville, WAThis is a ratty, dirty, rundown facility. Our room (811) had mold growing on the air conditioner in the main room - which did not even work - and the overall condition of the room and furnishings was very poor. Its like staying at the home of an old aunt who hasn't had any maintenance or repair done in 30+ years, and not much cleaning either. The bookshelves are filled with junk books that are the stuff you see at a garage sale, at best.
All of this comes with a price of ~$400 per night for a room with main bedroom, a very tiny second bedroom with twin bed, and a fold out couch.
We will be exploring our options and trying to get out of here tomorrow and find someplace else to stay. The owners ought to be ashamed of themselves.Comment from Marlenny P. of Roger Smith Hotel 7/9/2013
Hi Chuck, Firstly thank you for your review. We are deeply… More » -
Review from Y V.
Washington, DCThis was a severely overpriced hotel. The rooms are old. The carpets are dark and dreary. T.V.s are small. It's located in a prime location but it's severely lacking--especially when you have to walk past the Double Tree and other nice hotels nearby just to get to your place.
The elevator is super small. The bar (which does not serve food) closes too early for a NYC bar.
Finally, they sent me to someone else's room when I checked in. I walked into the room and there was already a bag, and toiletry stuff in the bathroom. Someone else might've stolen everything and walked out. Does this happen often?? -
Review from Devin M.
Plainsboro, NJFirst off, this review is based on my not having to actually pay for the room, as I was put up for the night by work.
That said, I probably would not stay at this hotel if I had to pay for it myself at a rate over $99. Yes, the room was spacious, but that's about the only really good thing.
The entrance smelled musty, and looked a bit outdated. Same too with the room decor. Room noise was bad, mainly due to the window AC unit that was sealed with duct tape. It was generally clean, but smelled Febreeze'd.
Overall, it felt like an old hotel trying to be hip.-
Stained carpet -
White duct tape to "seal" a window AC unit. Really?
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Review from jeff a.
Gaithersburg, MDEntire staff from Billy the doorman, to Ralph and especially Sophy at the front desk, and the cleaning crew were totally delightful. Excellent location 4 blocks from Grand Central Station. Quick walk to Times Square. Our room was large with 2 beds, chair, couch, desk and plenty of walk around room. Enough accessible outlets to plug in all the electronics. Free wifi but slow and some sites did not load. Nice small bathroom. This is a well maintained older hotel not quite ready for a three hundred million dollar makeover, which would ruin its character and pricing. Window unit air conditioner took some adjusting between freezing us or itself on a very hot humid July night. We looked at the outdoor rooftop bar, but all of the 10 or so tables were occupied. Open the windows in your room and watch the city stream by. Free yogurt, granola mix, and apples in the lobby. -
Review from Evelyn G.
San Jose, CAPros: good location, pleasant staff
Cons: shabby room, stained carpet and upholstery, moldy shower grout, peeling wallpaper
Stayed for 5 nights at an average cost of $275 per night. If you like to sleep with the windows open, ask for a room that does not face Lexington Avenue!! It is noisy throughout the entire night!! -
Review from Seven Y.
Bethesda, MD4.5 stars.
I'm in NY a lot. And I mean a lot. I usually get booked a swanky suite at the Waldorf or the W, but my most recent trip this past week was on my dime... which means I had to pay for my own hotel stay. Oh helll no would I personally spend $500 a night for 3 consecutive nights Thanksgiving week just for a place to sleep and work. I'm not cheap, but I'd rather buy a new Louis thankyouverymuch.
I found the Roger Smith Hotel through Travelocity. Based on the photos I saw from the hotel website, their rooms seemed to offer the most space. A corner desk, actual sitting room, FLOOR SPACE... Anyone knows that your average NYC hotel rooms are tiny tiny. Call me a procrastinator, but I booked my reservations late morning on Monday 11/24/2008. Fast forward some hours on a crappy ride to NY and I checked in later that afternoon!
Soon as I walked into my room, I was so pleasantly surprised! Wowie, I can actually roll around on the floor and then some (not that I ever would, but if I wanted to...). This worked out so perfectly for me because I had a lot of people over and we all had room! There was even three of us sleeping on the bed one night with plenty of room in between us.
The maid service did wonders each day as I had sort of made a mess on the floor (cutting hair, heh heh... though I did clean up as much as I could) that I tipped them like mad and even left Magnolia cupcakes for them! I requested extra towels twice and got them promptly. We ordered delivery a few times and each and every time the food delivered right to my room with a hotel staff escort.
Minus .5 stars because of the tiny bathroom. Not that I care, but it was a bit crowded. The drain hole in the tub was literally a hole. Like a black hole. I was almost scared something would crawl out of it, but fortunately that didn't happen. -
Review from Ron C.
San Diego, CAI've experienced better hotels but I guess this is what you should expect in a New York Hotel. The staff wasn't very friendly at the desk but yet the staff that will clean your room are very friendly, It would get really humid in the room and it will take the AC awhile for it to get cool. The iron didn't work and I called the front desk for a replacement iron and all they told me was we'll see if we have one or call again tommorow morning. That is what you call lazy customer service.
Haha I came to my room after a good nightlife at a lounge in West Village area came to find to Front Desk worker was snoozing on the couch. Another night there was no one in the front desk like the worker was probably in his own little sleep area. What if my card was demagnatized and there was no one to help me? that would be so Inconvenient.
Yet since this hotel was fairly at a good price $500 for 4 nights I guess it is what it is. As a california native this was my first NY hotel I know there are better hotels in NY than the Roger Smith Hotel. I recommend to those that are baller on a budget to stay at this hotel but I will never stay at this hotel ever again.
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