The section of Frederick Douglass Boulevard that extends into Harlem from West 110th Street has undergone a radical transformation, with handsome new apartment buildings filling empty lots. One of those buildings, at 124th Street, shares space with an Aloft hotel, the latest outpost of a hip and affordable chain that has grown to some 40 locations in just three years. There’s a lot of competition in New York, but Aloft (an offshoot of the more expensive W brand) seems to have found a niche, catering to the young (and young at heart) at reasonable rates.
LOCATION
The hotel (which opened in December with 124 rooms) is on a relatively quiet block close to 125th Street, which, in addition to stores, restaurants and such attractions as the Apollo Theater, has a bus to La Guardia Airport and the Nos. 2 and 3, and A, B, C and D subway lines. Columbia University is nearby (I could see part of the campus from my window). But be warned: it’s a steep walk uphill to Morningside Heights.
THE ROOM
The rooms are based on a full-size mock-up designed by Rockwell Group, which was tested and tweaked for months before the first Aloft was built in 2008. All the planning paid off. In my room (No. 324, facing the hotel’s entry court), the king bed was comfortable, the large-screen TV was easy to control, the blackout shade was effective and the vintage alarm clock (look, Ma, hands!) was a cinch to set. The only problem was that the radiator squealed loudly all night; I would have asked to change rooms but was too tired to move.
THE BATHROOM
The sink and brightly illuminated counter are in an alcove; the toilet is behind a separate sliding panel. There are no bathtubs in the hotel, just stall showers with oversize showerheads. Liquid soap and shampoo/conditioner from Bliss are dispensed from wall-mounted canisters, an arrangement that feels a bit institutional. But given how many bars and bottles are wasted in other hotels, it’s an admirably green move.
AMENITIES
As at all Alofts, the focus is on a Central Perk-like lobby, with exposed pipes and ductwork, lots of mod upholstered furniture, and music blaring from Bose speakers. At night, one section becomes a cocktail lounge (specialty drinks are about $13); another doubles as a pool hall. In lieu of a restaurant, there’s a 24-hour market (dubbed re:fuel) with everything from microwave soups to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. At breakfast, the selection also includes delicious muffins ($2.50) and egg sandwiches with bacon or sun-dried tomatoes ($4.50), plus free coffee and tea. There’s a handsome gym (called re:charge) in the basement. Wi-Fi, local phone calls and the use of lobby iMacs (with printer) are included in the room rate. And the staff couldn’t have been friendlier.
BOTTOM LINE
Not many hotels are as much fun as Aloft, or as inexpensive. My Saturday-night adventure, which included playing pool, flipping through the lobby’s collection of art books and sampling inventive cocktails and snacks, cost less than $200. (The room itself was $143.20, a prepaid rate found on the hotel’s Web site.) Most rooms are $189 this time of year, but prices will vary according to demand.
Aloft Harlem, 2296 Frederick Douglass Boulevard; (212) 749-4000; aloftharlem.com.
LOCATION
The hotel (which opened in December with 124 rooms) is on a relatively quiet block close to 125th Street, which, in addition to stores, restaurants and such attractions as the Apollo Theater, has a bus to La Guardia Airport and the Nos. 2 and 3, and A, B, C and D subway lines. Columbia University is nearby (I could see part of the campus from my window). But be warned: it’s a steep walk uphill to Morningside Heights.
THE ROOM
The rooms are based on a full-size mock-up designed by Rockwell Group, which was tested and tweaked for months before the first Aloft was built in 2008. All the planning paid off. In my room (No. 324, facing the hotel’s entry court), the king bed was comfortable, the large-screen TV was easy to control, the blackout shade was effective and the vintage alarm clock (look, Ma, hands!) was a cinch to set. The only problem was that the radiator squealed loudly all night; I would have asked to change rooms but was too tired to move.
THE BATHROOM
The sink and brightly illuminated counter are in an alcove; the toilet is behind a separate sliding panel. There are no bathtubs in the hotel, just stall showers with oversize showerheads. Liquid soap and shampoo/conditioner from Bliss are dispensed from wall-mounted canisters, an arrangement that feels a bit institutional. But given how many bars and bottles are wasted in other hotels, it’s an admirably green move.
AMENITIES
As at all Alofts, the focus is on a Central Perk-like lobby, with exposed pipes and ductwork, lots of mod upholstered furniture, and music blaring from Bose speakers. At night, one section becomes a cocktail lounge (specialty drinks are about $13); another doubles as a pool hall. In lieu of a restaurant, there’s a 24-hour market (dubbed re:fuel) with everything from microwave soups to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. At breakfast, the selection also includes delicious muffins ($2.50) and egg sandwiches with bacon or sun-dried tomatoes ($4.50), plus free coffee and tea. There’s a handsome gym (called re:charge) in the basement. Wi-Fi, local phone calls and the use of lobby iMacs (with printer) are included in the room rate. And the staff couldn’t have been friendlier.
BOTTOM LINE
Not many hotels are as much fun as Aloft, or as inexpensive. My Saturday-night adventure, which included playing pool, flipping through the lobby’s collection of art books and sampling inventive cocktails and snacks, cost less than $200. (The room itself was $143.20, a prepaid rate found on the hotel’s Web site.) Most rooms are $189 this time of year, but prices will vary according to demand.
Aloft Harlem, 2296 Frederick Douglass Boulevard; (212) 749-4000; aloftharlem.com.
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