I loved 1871 House....it's unique and the service is truly excellent.

The owner, Sarah make you feel like you're visting family...but you're treated like royality. Everything is done. Clean and comfortable rooms as though it was decorated just for you! Sarah made the whole experience so pleasurable....even down to booking my stay there. She was more then accomaditing, for example....She gave me the best price for my stay...I know this because I compared her prices with others and 1871 House was the most reasonable! I slept the whole night with no disturbing noise...and this is mid-town New York city! I can't wait to return...this time I'm taking other family members...I want them to experience New York City the way it used to be. If you go with the flow you feel like you're transported back in time. I highly recommend 1871 House...say hello to Sarah and her staff and enjoy the unquie charm and warmth you could only experience at 1871 House! Thanks to everyone there...I'm sure I'll see ya soon.

Sincerely,

Alonzo Bryan

A great alternative to the hotel scene

i've stayed at 1871 house probably about a dozen times over the past two years .... and look forward to each new visit. i travel a lot and i find the comfortable rooms, the quiet ambiance, and the friendly environment set by lia and warren (the proprietors) to be the perfect antidote. each room is unique-- some have fireplaces, some kitchens (or kitichennetes), but all have the flavor of 19th century NYC with all the modern day amenties. the location is perfect .... and so if you're looking for an alternative to impersonal, big city hotels, check in to 1871 house. you won't be disappointed by anything.

Sounded good but was shabby

We opted to stay in 1871 House over Thanksgiving weekend after reading the reviews on Trip Advisor. We stayed in the Lexington Suite, which is on the top floor of the house. We were well aware it was numbered on the European system, so the Lexington Suite, which is on the 4th floor, was actually a climb of 5 sets of stairs. We were entirely comfortable with that, although we were unaware the stairs were as narrow as they were. Still, we were quite looking forward to the stay.

Perhaps because the Lexington Suite is so far up, it was entirely shabby. The refirgerator was old and the plastic handle on it was broken. The floor was coming up in the kitchen, the plaster peeling off in the bathroom. The stove was a dumpster reject, with large swath of the enamel missing from it. The shelvers and drawers were dirty and the front of a kitchen cabinet fell off onto my foot the second morning we were there.

It gets worse:

- The closets were used to store ladders, cleaning supplies, paint cans, old plastic containers. Only the back closet had room for our clothes (at least without having to re-arrange the closets.) No shelf liners. Shelves were dirty. In the back closet, someone's old shirt was found, all balled up.

- The water pressure. We realize it's an old house, but I completely lost pressure every time I took a shower - as in, no water at all. My husband just lost pressure once. We tried not to take showers at "standard" times, we tried to pick "off" times, but we both ended up with soap in our hair, sitting on the side of the tub, in a towel, waiting for the trickle of water coming out of the tub faucet (as opposed to the shower head) to strengthen enough to rinse under the tub faucet, much less continue with the shower.

- The front hall light bulb was missing and the innkeepers had positioned a large mirror over not only the switch but also the intercom.

- All front room lights were on the same circuit. Could only use the front bed reading lights with overhead lights on.

- Fireplace was not cleaned out from the last user.

- The bathroom fan made a deafening racket.

The inn keepers never apologized for any of this - and, indeed, took great offense that we felt the Lexington Suite was anything other than perfect. They were dumbfounded that we didn't feel $300+ a night for no water in the shower, dirty rooms and collapsing cabinets was a bargain.

More than that, they then accused of us of having our two children stay in the room with us because the housekeeper said the bed in the living room had been slept in (the kids stayed with their grandmother in her apartment around the corner). It had, by us. Until we realized that we wouldn't be able to read with the overhead lights glaring in our eyes and couldn't turn off the overhead lights without also turning off the bedside lights. So we moved to the back bedroom.

Still the innkeepers charged our MasterCard without our permission, and without consulting with us first. They only removed the charge when we vigorously protested, in writing.

I have no doubt the other rooms in 1871 House are nice - indeed, we saw some of them on our way up and down the stairs. We also told the innkeepers that their other rooms seemed nice. The Lexington Suite, however, is not nice. Not by a long shot.

Never even got there

I had read good things about the 1871 House and decided to try it for my upcoming early April stay in New York. I first e-mailed the innkeeper on Feb 21 and she replied on that same day. After exchanging a couple more e-mails, I reserved a room on Feb. 25, using their website, which I found easy enough. Right away, I got an information package, which should be useful for guests. However, the whole thing felt too "automatic", without the "human warmth" you would expect to find in a B&B, as opposed to a large hotel.

WE CLEARLY AGREED that my credit card data would be used to guarantee my reservation, but my card would not be charged, as I wished to pay in cash. In fact, her confirmation e-mail specified: "Guest wishes to pay in cash upon arrival. A credit card authorization will be taken and payment in cash will be accepted on the arrival date."

However, my credit card WAS charged. When I found out, I called her right away and was told she was out and that I should I call later. I strongly felt it would have been proper for her to call me back. So, I wrote her an irate e-mail, saying so. Her reply was, and I quote: "Under the current situation I think it is best if we cancel your reservation. We are not a full service operation and we sometimes make mistakes. Your card was incorrectly charged due to human error. Also, we don't have the manpower so we ask that people to return the calls."

There was not even a hint of a formal apology for such a serious mistake made with reference to a clearly specified condition for my reservation, but, of course, she said the money would be returned to my credit card.

People who wish to stay at the 1871 House should carefully read the "policies" posted on their website, as the 1871 House probably has the harshest cancellation policy in the world and I quote them again: "No exceptions to the above policies are available including but not limited to health and family matters, weather conditions, Code Alerts or personal anxieties regarding currant affairs."

This does not sound at all like the friendly ambiance one would expect to find in a bed and breakfast, but I guess I'll never know for sure, because I will never stay there.

A fabulous Room

We had a fantastic week in NY City and 1871 House provided the perfect home base for our adventures. The rear library was a fabulous room (beautifully furnished, spacious, quiet, comfortable bed, nice view overlooking the patio) and having our own kitchenette was ideal. We definitely look forward to staying at 1871 House again in the future and we've been singing praises for the 1871 House far and wide.

Creme de la creme of NYC

We, my husband, 13 year old granddauthter and I, had a wonderful experience staying in the Library Suite of 1871 House. The decor is charming and beds very comfy. My granddaughter fell in love with the mosquito netting and feather filled comfortor. Great location for walking and or subway, and bus. Close to Central Park and Bloomingdales. Our first time ever to New York is a pleasant memory thanks to the 1871 House..

Pied a terre in NY

I just returned from a 5 day visit at the 1871 House. My 12 year old daughter and I stayed in 2 different fully equipped studio apartments so we had the opportunity to experience a newly renovated room as well as a room that needed a bit of attention. The overall experience was wonderful. Having lived in New york on the west side many years ago this was a new, but familiar home. It's a perfect place to stay with children. We ate in almost every night finding many delectable food shops right in the neighborhood. Making a reservation online is very difficult. One needs to be persistent to get it right. I would recommend the 1871 in a heartbeat. In fact, I just made a reservation for my husband's business trip in a few weeks. I much prefer this to a hotel. If you aren't absolutely certain of your trip, or you need alot of input fron a hotel concierge, this is not the place to stay.

Quiet, Cozy, Think "Breakfast At Tiffany's" but More Elegant

If you've seen the movie "Breakfast At Tiffany's," you'll recall Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) lived in a NYC walkup apartment converted from a city townhouse. Whenever I think of 1871 House, I'm reminded of the winding staircase in the movie with apartments on every floor. At one time in its storied past, 1871 House served the same purpose, except now its former apartments are elegant rooms at a quiet and cozy inn. It's very romantic for couples and quiet and secure for singles and families.

In one of the nicer neighborhoods in the city, the 1871 House is convenient to all sorts of amenities, the bus & subway, shops & businesses, even Bloomingdale's, are all are a short walk away. Within one block are several restaurants and grocery stores, some of which are open 24 hours. For the best bagels, try The Bread Factory in the same block on Lexington. Travelling alone, I always felt safe, even when out walking at night.

For me, staying at 1871 House is SO much better than a city hotel, no matter how upscale. You feel like you live in the city, not just passing through. The prices are competitive with 3 and 4 star hotels in NYC. I stayed at one of those "posh" hotels on Central Park South. The room was nice but so small I could barely turn around. I also stayed at a nationwide chain hotel in NYC and was unpleasantly surprised at how poorly kept the facilities were. From what I've seen in "Sex and the City," the room decor at the 1871 House rivals those in the Stanhope Fifth Avenue. True, there's no room service at the 1871 House, but then, if the city loses power, you don't have to climb 22 stories to get to your room!

The innkeepers, Warren & Lia Raum, are friendly & helpful without being instrusive. I can't imagine staying anywhere else when I visit New York. For a "Home away from Home" experience, or, if your home's like mine, a MUCH NICER Home away from Home, visit the 1871 House and stay a while!

October in New York at 1871 House

I wish to tell you, in my opinion the opportunity presented by 1871 House to enjoy New York City, is so unique, so representative of Upper East Side Culture, I realize it is largely responsible for making my week's trip to New York in October as enjoyable as it was. To wake up in those marvellous white cotton sheets under my fluffy down comforter, next to my large window with a view to the quiet side of 62nd Street, was just the start I needed to every adventurous day I experienced while there! At the end of my daily sojourn, happily weary and hungry, I'd warm up whatever tasty preparation I'd picked up at the epicurean deli-supermarket around the corner, warm it up, have dinner in my kitchen with a bird's eye view of 62nd Street. Then I'd retire to my large welcoming couch, snuggled in,safe and entertained in my lovely suite by NY Television until my eyes drooped, signalling it was time togo to bed and start the whole process over again the next morning!

I'll be back and I'll tell many what lovely entertaining surroundings await anyone who stays here. I also want to mention the kind consideration and helpful advice offered to me about anything I needed to know. My memories of New York are such that I will come again and I'll certainly want to stay at 1871 House!