When it comes to hotels in New York City, one thing is absolutely certain: Size matters.
Having spent quite a bit of time in the Big Apple, I know that space is a premium. I’ve grown accustomed to closet-sized apartments and miniaturized hotel rooms. And so when I stayed at the generously proportioned Marmara Manhattan Hotel, I was pleasantly surprised.
The Marmara Hotel is able to give its guests more bang for their buck by being a stone’s through from all the city’s hustle and bustle. Instead of an address in Time’s Square or on Fifth Avenue, the hotel is located on East 94th Street in a quiet, residential neighborhood on the Upper East Side. While the hotel isn’t far from all the excitement, you’d have to hop in a cab or take the subway to get there.
The Upper East Side, in my opinion, is more New York than Time’s Square and the other popular tourist destinations. As someone who has lived in the city, I can say with certainty that most New Yorkers avoid tourist hot spots like the Bubonic Plague.
But this isn’t no-man’s land. As the hotel’s e-Marketing Manager told me, there are more than 100 restaurants in the 20 blocks surrounding the hotel—including a number of authentic Jewish and Italian eateries. Ottomanelli, a traditional Italian restaurant and butcher shop located on Lexington and 93rd, is a great choice.
Moreover, the hotel is just a few blocks from the East River boardwalk, Museum Mile, the Jewish Museum and Central Park. There’s plenty to do, see, eat and experience.
If you’ve never heard of the Marmara Hotel, it’s probably because this is currently the only Marmara hotel outside of Turkey (though another property is being built in midtown). Though the brand is very much up and coming here in the United States, it has a fairly large international following. In fact, about half the guests are international, with many visitors coming from Australia, the UK, Brazil and Italy.
While many people stay at the Marmara for short-term visits, longer terms stays are fairly common. Because the rooms are spacious, affordable and well stocked (the units include kitchens, appliances and even a dishwasher—a true rarity in New York City), the accommodations are well suited for extended stays.
Did I mention the views? From my suite, I had gorgeous views of the Empire State Building, Spanish Harlem and the East River. I could watch the sunrise—and the sunset—from the comfort of my spacious terrace; the views alone are worth the price of admission.
Gay-friendly and as diverse as the city it serves, the Marmara Manhattan Hotel is a great and affordable hotel option. Not only will you get a great value, but you’ll also get to experience the real New York.