Harlem Grand

Fair
Traveller Type: young couple
  : Good location for visiting both Harlem and Morningside Heights. Columbia University, the Cathedral, Riverside Church etc. Central Park is also close for those who enjoy longer walks. There is a good bagel shop on 116th Street. Maison Harlem is a good restaurant with live music. We enjoyed a show at the Apollo. Very good access to other parts of New York by subway or bus. Times Square, for example, is only two stops away on the A Train. The bed was comfortable. There is free laundry service. We were allowed to store our bags in the reception area on our last day.
  : I would suggest to our host, Kellyn, that she introduce the city, the property, the house rules, and the room usage rules in a friendlier manner. She should remember that we are all adults. Her text messages could also be better. (She reprimanded us by text for leaving a screened window partially open during the day. My wife wanted to air the room out. That was a rule we apparently missed as there were so many.) Let me add that Kellyn was much friendlier upon check-out. Be prepared to carry your bags up the outdoor entrance stairs with shoes on and then one or two (if your room is on the upper floor) more flights inside with your shoes off. (Kellyn helped out with a bag.) As someone else mentioned, the upper flight of stairs seems to have shifted over the years. Shoes cannot be worn in the house beyond the reception area. We did not use the shared kitchen area beyond storing a water bottle. I believe only instant coffee was available, although I could be wrong. The private bathroom was very small. In my humble opinion the name Harlem Grand does not reflect what is an historic brownstone with four or five guest rooms. I'm sure Kelly will respond with the story behind the name. Others may agree that brownstones are magnificent and imposing.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: young couple
  : Lovely historic building with original features. Huge room with massive comfy bed. The host was friendly and offered great tips for the city. The laundry service and little kitchen were a bonus. Don’t worry about breakfast- the little deli on the corner does a mean and cheap breakfast roll and Mr Lee Lee’s bakery lives up to its reputation! We loved the location near Central Park and felt safe in the neighbourhood.
  : Honestly, nothing!

Very Good
Traveller Type: young couple
  : Nice old hotel with beautiful period furniture. Owner gave us a nice historical summary of the area, where to eat, etc. very close to the A subway, making Central Park and Times Square only minutes away. Loved it!!

Wonderful
Traveller Type: young couple
  : We had a fantastic time at this hotel. The host (Kellyn) was one of friendliest and most helpful I've had staying anywhere. The room and building were amazing with so much character. The location was great, in the heart of Harlem with buses and subway just round the corner.
  : Not much at all. Maybe if breakfast was available/included but really couldn't have asked for much more.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: family with young children
  : Hospitality of the host is great. Authentic venue. Location is great too. Metro station within 5 min that runs to midtown and brooklyn. Bus around the corner that goes to 5th Av.
  : Number of cosy restaurants in the neighbourhood.

Good
Traveller Type: young couple
  : Location — close to subway — less tourists — walkable to bars and restaurants — close to Central Park Staff were very friendly — did our laundry on our last day before we left. Very cool old building.
  : Bedsheets — felt a little cheap — fitted sheet would come off every time we climbed into bed — would wake up every morning just sleeping on the naked mattressTemperature — be warned it’s pretty hot. We were there in June. There’s a little AC unit but it doesn’t do much. We likely wouldn’t stay here again because of it. Also we weren’t allowed to run the AC during the day when we were out which makes the room that much hotter when we returned. Seemed a little odd given how much we were paying per night—you’d figure running the AC was factored into cost of the stay.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: young couple
  : Absolutely charming old brick house. Vintage interior and an awesome host!
  : Just minor things: The sometimes noisy fridge and hallway light shining through the door frame. Overall it was a nice property!

Very Poor
Traveller Type: young couple
  : the owner is more than rude, she accused us of smoking in the room and did not give us our caution money back! And now ghosting me.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: review category business travellers
  : Great accommodation. Wonderful location in Harlem, and conveniently close to the subway, which is just around the corner - from there, central park is a few minutes away. Nice atmospheric interior, and big room. Facilities were great - there's a useful small kitchen, and a great bathroom. Room was cleaned/bedsheets were replaced frequently, which was nice. Instructions regarding the keys, entering/leaving, and checking out were clear and easy. Very comfortable stay!
  : Although the building is generally very clean and neat, it is somewhat worn here and there (since it's an old building). I understand that a full renovation is impossibly costly and ambitious, but a few upgrades might be nice. Nevertheless, these were only details.The bed was intensely soft - it was comfortable, but, as someone used to a hard mattress, I had some back pains towards the end of the stay. Good to keep in mind, I guess, for those who can't handle a soft mattress.

Pleasant
Traveller Type: family with young children
  : I like the location. I like the design and authenticity.
  : The furniture was old and uncomfortable, especially bad. It was super cold! I didn't understand why heating didn't work.