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Gild Hall

Boutique NYC hotel in the Financial District

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The Perfect NYC Hotel: Cool Decor, Good Location and Great Value

Feb 28, 2011

by Bethany_K
posted in Unique Hotels

Rating:

A couple weeks ago I was in NYC on vacation. I had looked at quite a few hotels on Priceline, Hotwire, Travelocity and Hotels.com. I’m always torn between location and value when looking for a hotel in NYC. I've often found great hotel deals that end up being obsolete because I'll spend tons of money on cabs trying to get to where I need to go in the evenings. In the past I’ve stayed in the Midtown and Midtown East area. And though I’ve always enjoyed it, this time I wanted to be closer to the funky restaurants and fun shopping in Soho and the Village.

I found The Gild Hall on Hotels.com for $147/night. I had never heard of it, but I did my research and found that Gild Hall is a Thompson hotel located in the Financial district. The reviews on the place were hit and miss, mostly because of the semi-deserted location during the weekends and lack of cabs, but the place looked like a classy, boutique hotel on their website.

Still undecided I actually googled the address and looked up the location on the map. I then noticed that Booking.com had an even better listing price of $135/night. Sold! After comparing other hotel ratings, I didn't think I could find a better deal. And though slightly weary of the location, I thought it would be worth the risk. And it was!

Location:
Gold Street is a small, quiet street a couple blocks off of Ground Zero. There is very little traffic or noise, which makes it easy to sleep soundly at night. The reviews are right regarding transportation issues. It is more difficult to find a cab here. You can't walk out your front door and flag one down with ease. That being said, the subway is only a couple blocks away and if you need a cab the bellman will hunt one down for you or the front desk will call one for you. My tip would be plan ahead! At night it can take 20+ minutes to grab a cab, so go downstairs early, ask the front desk to help you, enjoy a drink at the bar and relax while you wait. We didn't find it to be much a problem, but perhaps going in to the situation with knowledge that cabs could be a concern also prevented disappointment or frustration with that issue.

The Financial District doesn't have the same charm as other areas of New York and there are certainly not as many cute restaurants or pubs to just pop into at the end of the night, but the walk from our hotel to Broadway and the Soho area was short and enjoyable. A cab ride wasn't very expensive, and frankly it seemed easier to get around then when I stayed in Midtown East.

If you are look for something to eat that is quick and close, there is a pizza place just kitty-corner to the hotel that was friendly, inexpensive and tasty.

Service:

I thought the service was very good. Upon arrival we were checked in quickly by friendly faces and offered a glass of prosecco. We asked for help from the bellman and front desk several times regarding cabs and they went out of their way to call for one and even run down the street to flag one for us. I also needed an iron at one point and received it in only a couple of minutes.

The Lobby:

This place is cool. It was designed by Jim Wolward and every detail seems to have been considered. The lobby and rooms have an upscale modern, lodge feel. Light leather chairs and sofas decorate the lobby. A small bar adjoins the lobby seating area. Dark wood, antler chandeliers and book shelves make this a cozy place for a vintage cocktail.

The Room:

I had read complaints that the rooms were small, and yes there wasn't a ton of space, but for NYC it was very comfortable. The large leather headboard, plaid blanket on the bed, and large metal chandelier made this a uniquely appointed room. It was cozy. And though it was a bit dark in the room, we didn't really mind. The bathroom had a decent size shower and was clean. The bed was quite comfortable and I actually slept really well. It was a tad bit cold in the room, so I recommend requesting an extra blanket.

Overall, I was extremely happy with our stay at the Gild. It has a fun aesthetic, comfortable rooms, and is of great value, especially for NYC. I will definitely stay at the Gild again!

The Perfect NYC Hotel: Cool Ambiance, Good Location and Great Value

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About the reviewer

Bethany (Bethany_K)
Ranked #23

Hello Lunchers! I am a contributing writer foran onlinelife and style website that highlights hot-spots in Minneapolis and Chicago. As such, I frequent many new boutiques, restaurants, … more