I'd heard wonderful things before going to this hotel, but it seems as though the cache is all in it's history and not in the actual experience staying at this hotel.

My room was tiny even by NY standards, and hadb't been updated in some time. More frustrating, there was no hot water. I let it run for almost an hour and got lukewarm. It then took nearly an hour for an engineer to show up to fix the hot water.

Not a great experience.

I stayed at the Algonquin for 2 nights in December 2004. I love this hotel. I was expecting small rooms without a view, and I have no memory of its "better days" so I was not at all disappointed. Beautiful lobby, cozy and luxurious, helpful and friendly staff, convenient and inexpensive parking across the street. The place is drenched in modern literary history which appealed to me immensely. Perfect location for me, close to everywhere I wanted to go. I loved hanging out in the lobby lounge, drinking $15 cocktails (little steep) people watching and chatting with friends, or surfing the internet on my wireless laptop. I was a little out of place as a young guy, most guests were gentrified older couples, but everyone was friendly. Downside, our waiter was a little dismissive of me as he served my sister and I our delicious $150 dinner in the roundtable room. Perhaps I shouldnt have opened the sideboard cabinet to take a peek at what was inside, but it was right next to my seat, within arm's length, and I couldnt help myself. Huge stack of pressed white tablecloths, so you know.

We've always enjoyed stopping in the lobby at the Algonquin for a drink after a busy afternoon. We finally took the plunge in November and stayed there four nights. We like the atmosphere, and the room was recently redecorated. But I can honestly say we will never stay there again.

I asked for a bigger room and a regular tv as opposed to a smaller room with a flat screen tv. The clerk must have misunderstood me because we got a flat screen tv in a small room. In order to go from the bathroom to the doorway, I had to crawl across the bed when my husband was sitting at the desk. If the desk wasn't being used, I could walk on the floor the whole way. He was particularly shocked at the size of the room. We planned to ask for a change, but our timing didn't work out.

The other thing--we dislike staying at hotels where we can't get our own ice. The first night I had to come down to the front desk, and the next night, they brought it up which surprised me because the night before they told me the person to deliver it was gone for the night.

The staff was nice.

Apprehensive returning after the renovation, I found myself excited with an anticipation akin to a meeting with a long-ago love. Some of the reviews I had read were not entirely favorable. But I tossed caution to the wind, and I am so glad that I did. When I arrived late, the front desk person arranged for the restaurant to remain open for a delicious late night dinner and while dining brought the key to a room with a queensize bed that I had requested. The room was as I remembered, only now with vibrant colors, buttery linen, plush towels, sparkling bathrooms and a welcome, relaxing water pressure in the shower. The bed was so comfortable, I immediately fell asleep while watching the new flat screen television. Housekeeping was efficient, replacing a bulb within minutes. Room service is prompt and congenial.The signature bottled water is a charming touch and plentiful upon request. When I forgot my reading glasses at a store around the corner from the hotel, the concierge, Kevin retrieved them while I warmed myself from the February chill in the sumptuous lobby, sipping a brandy, reading one of the many complimentary newspapers and sampling a sweet. Although I did not have reservations for the Oak Room, the lovely,accomodating hostess arranged a table for me where I experienced a not soon forgotten fabulous performance by KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler. How luxurious not to have to leave the hotel for such high calibre entertainment! The location is central to the theater district,shopping and many restaurants. As a woman traveling alone, safety is always important. The front desk staff and doormen always greeted me personally so that I felt more than comfortable. At the last moment, I went to Central Park to take in the spectacular Gates, Cristo and Jeanne Claude's gift to New York City, and spontaneously bought a print which was too big to carry on the plane. The concierge arranged to have it sent to me and it just arrived!Thinking of my stay in New York, while I am reluctant to recommend the Algonquin, since I would like it to remain my special place, I truly feel this unique hotel and it's staff should be appreciated and highly recommended as the jewel that it was and STILL is. It was a memorable week, and I can only hope there will be availability for me when I return to New York