First the ++. Drop dead perfect location. Our suite was fairly priced and large. Very good bathroom. Now the --. When we arrived [1pm on a wed], there was NO doorman or bellman. We were taking a cruise the following day, and we had luggage galore. Aside from our check in experience which was efficient and courteous, the front desk staff was cold, unreceptive and uninterested. This "no problem" response to each request is getting really stale. The staff needs a double dose of training and B-12. The check out was equally challenging. Bell staff at the property seem to be unavailable, or they retreat to neverland at every opportunity. And the elevator! It's possible to finish a sizeable percentage of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary during the ride. We will NOT return to this property. There are too many other hotels in NYC that want and appreciate your business.

We had rooms 607/608 suite/double room combination facing the parking area. There is a garbage truck transfer station underneath. Terrible noise very early every morning. On Monday it started at 3am. No sleeping through it. The staff pretended that this was unusual but I doubt it. The rooms however were very nice with comfortable beds. Very clean bathrooms. Courteous but somewhat disinterested staff at check-in and check-out. We moved over to the Hemsley Park Lane, and it was wonderful. Finally got a good nights sleep! Don't try to save money. It's worth the cost to get a better hotel or else bring ear plugs!

Stayed here for 5 nights over Labor Day with my wife and our 9 month old daughter. We booked a suite well in advance since we would be there with an infant, and got a really great rate (I think it was $259; heard the rates had gone way up as the date got closer). We also booked an adjoining room for my wife's mom (we were attending a family wedding). Had a problem at check-in as they did not have a record of the adjoining room, but that problem was solved quite quickly. Everything else about the Blakely was positive. The location is very good if you want to be near Tmes Square (the Stage Deli is just around the corner). There's a subway stop 1/2 a block away (although I'm embarassed and disappointed to say we were lazy and did not use the subway on this trip). Central Park is just a 3 block walk. The Suite was good sized, had a fridge (and a microwave, too, I think). New flat-screen TVs in both rooms. Street noise wasn't too bad (no more than normal for a big city). My mother-in-law's standard room was fine also. Everyone seemed pleased with the hotel, including the hard to please great-grandma. Not sure if there was Wi-fi as I had my Verizon card and relied on it (it was a bit slow at times).

Hotel staff were friendly and helpful. The fitness room was typical/adequate for a hotel, with what appeared to be fairly new cardio equipment. Not much in the way of weights aside from a few dumbbells and one of those generic universal machines. There also is a Gold's in walking distance if you need a real gym. Theater district also is in easy walking distance. We did not try the Italian restaurant although I heard a few relatives say it was expensive (nothing good or bad was said about the food).

Elevators are a bit small and sometimes slow, and there isn't much to the lobby. But all in all, for the price, location, and quality of the rooms (pretty big for NYC), the Blakely deserves a good review. Definitely family friendly. We would stay here again if we come back with our daughter (back to the Hudson if it's just me and my wife).

We loved the Blakely. We chose it over the alternative group hotel based on the TA reviews. It is a small boutique type of hotel with a nice location. Check in was painless except that the staff member didn't realize our stay was already paid for through a group. The room was spacious, with a great marble bathroom. The counter space was a little small but the minibar/coffee area provided plenty of alternative space to use. The shower was the BEST shower I have ever used in a hotel! The towels were SOFT! The beds were very comfortable with upscale linens, and the a/c was great. We were on the third floor facing the street so we did have quite a bit of noise at night, but the hotel has no 2 bedded rooms above the 6th floor and none were available. We had problems setting the safe code and the staff came right away and changed the battery so it worked. Several restaurants were recommended by the concierge, and there is an Au Bon Pain right across the street for an easy breakfast or lunch and the prices were very reasonable, especially for NYC. A deli is just down the street, as is the subway. There is free internet access in the lobby although it was frequently in use. All in all, I would definitely recommend this hotel and would gladly stay there again.