Review of the Jane Hotel: A Hipster, Budget Place to Stay in New York City
Tiny Rooms, Big Savings when Staying in the Big Apple
But, the groovy location in New York's West Village, delicious on-site restaurant, courteous staff, clean facilities and room rates less than $100 make The Jane hotel an ideal budget place to stay in New York City.
Quick History of The Jane Hotel
The Jane opened in 2008 but the building was constructed a century earlier as a hotel for sailors. In 1912, four years after its opening, the hotel housed survivors of the Titanic. The YMCA took control of the property in 1944 and during the 1980s and 1990s the hotel was a hot-spot of rocking events.
Single Accommodations at The Jane Hotel
An October business trip led me to the Big Apple. In good conscience I could not bring myself to spending $300 to $400 a night most New York City hotels were asking. After an Internet search including reviewing posts on BudgetTravel.com and TripAdvisor.com, I found The Jane for less than $100 a night, plus taxes.
I spent two nights in a Standard Cabin which was basic, yet comfortable. The room had a single bed with linens, soft towels, bathrobe, slippers, air conditioning and heater, fan, flat-screen television, complimentary WiFi and a mirror practically taking up an entire wall. Open space beneath the bed stows luggage. The 50-square-foot rooms are fashioned after old-style train cars.
Rooms are energy efficient. To operate all of the electrical devices, with the exception of the primary light, guests need to insert the brass rod found on the guest room key into a wall socket.
Shared Bathrooms at The Jane Hotel
Bathrooms are located down the hall and they were immaculate. Individual toilet and shower stalls have locks for privacy. Bulk soap product dispensers are mounted in the showers. The sink and hairdryer are public and on my last night I was brushing my teeth next to one of the male guests.
My best advice is to remember your room key when heading to the bathroom.
Dining at The Jane Hotel
The on-property restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner is Cafe Gitane and it is excellent. The cafe serves French-Moroccan fare with a dash of bohemian decor. Most notably is the taxidermy alligator mounted on the wall and look for the painting of the girl flipping the bird. For lunch, try the salmon pie for a contemporary, fresh flavor.
Friendly and Courteous Staff at The Jane Hotel
Every member of The Jane hotel staff I met was friendly and courteous. They seemed genuinely happy with their jobs and radiated a good vibe making everyone feel welcomed. Front desk clerks and bellmen wear vintage-looking bellhop uniforms including bellboy hats. Housekeepers wear black dresses with white aprons.
Other Groovy Things About The Jane Hotel
The lobby is spacious with hip, eclectic decor. Since rooms are tiny, the lounge is a popular place to stretch out and meet other guests. The hotel is near the Hudson River and although I didn't have time to do so, the property offers free bicycle rentals to guests.
Downside About Staying at The Jane Hotel
Overall I had an enjoyable visit however there were some annoyances and oddities:
Walls are thin and at night I heard loud music either from the lobby or a neighboring room.
Although I'm a fan of Disney's "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" ride, each time I hopped in the elevator and the elevator man wearing his vintage-like uniform shut the gate, I braced for a free fall. Of course, nothing bad happened the elevator is extremely safe but I did end up using the stairs a lot.
Not everyone is a temporary guest at The Jane, some residents live there and most likely you will meet some of them.
Final Verdict on The Jane Hotel
Would I spend another night at this budget New York hotel? Absolutely! The price is right and while visiting New York either for business or pleasure who spends their free time in their hotel room anyway?
The Jane
113 Jane Street
New York, N.Y. 10014
Tel: (212) 924-6700
www.thejanenyc.com
Sources:
Personal Visit, Oct. 2010
The Jane, www.thejanenyc.com
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.
Published by JA Huber
Spent a decade in Death Valley, Everglades and Yellowstone Ntn'l Parks and now living happily in Florida working in tourism, editor of SoloTravelGirl.com; traveling alone, not lonely. View profile
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- Most rooms at The Jane are about 50 square feet.
- Bathrooms are communal and co-ed but toilet and shower stalls lock for privacy.
- Eat at least one meal in the hotel's restaurant, Cafe Gitane.