So Romantic...

From the fresh rose petals scattered on the stoop at the entrance to the lovely draping above the beds, the Franklin must be the coziest, most romantic hotel in all of New York City. We absolutely loved our stay! The rooms are admittedly small but so romantically intimate and comfortable that you don't really notice. Located in a quiet neighborhood near the museums and Central Park the atmosphere of this 1930's hotel seems to take you back to a gentler, simpler time. The staff were all very friendly, helpful and so professional. The coffee area was always well stocked and the pastries a delicious morning surprize after a night of romance. We will certainly make the Franklin our home away from home everytime we go to the big apple which I hope will be often.

Good Hotel

We stayed here in April 2004. It is a very clean, comfortable hotel. We upgraded our standard room on arrival as we felt that the basic room was a little small for two. That said, this is a fantastic base for a city break. It is ideally located on the Upper East Side. Very near Elaines, the famous showbiz haunt. Our room did not quite live up to the pictures on the website. The bathroom is small ie. one occupant at a time. However, the beds are comfortable and the shower is strong. There is plenty of closet space and a safe. Also, the tv has many more channels often on offer! The staff are exceedingly friendly and helpful. The 'continental' breakfast is adequate but get there early to claim your pastry. The lack of a social area is a negative but fine if you intend to spend most of your time exploring Manhattan. It is a pleasant stroll from the hotel to Midtown. I would go back.

Functional

I stayed here for 4 nights in March and my room was small and had no wardrobe, only a small rail. The hotel is clean and the staff are friendly, however breakfast is only a pastry and a piece of fruit. It is basic and if you are only planning to spend minimal time in your hotel and just use it as a base to rest your head at night then the hotel is fine. It is near to central park and in a nice area on the Upper East Side, with some good restaurants nearby.

Small but acceptable!!

We stayed here because it is one of the few upper Eastside hotels and was close to family--also a bitter cold week in NYC--cabs,etc tough to get!!The good news--pleasant staff, clean rooms, adequate free cont. breakfast, and fairly quiet. Plenty of heat and hot water during a very cold spell. Excellent rate-at least for that week.The bad news--incredibly small rooms/bathrooms that are really only good for 1 person. No King beds, no chest of drawers, no countertop in bath, etc.Conclusion: Better than most and a good bargain -but best for very short stay and better for 1 person!!

Lovely little Hotel

Stayed here for one night over Thanksgiving weekend. Lovely little hotel. Starbucks nearby (very good for us coffee lovers). Lots of little restaurants located in the Upper East Side and close to subway.

Staff attentive and pleasant. Room was clean. All New York Hotel Rooms are small, this was fine (a bit on the small side). I would stay here again.

Disappointment, charm but no service

I stayed here as a treat for myself during a six-day research trip to NYC. I won't fault the tiny rooms--that's a reality of New York's hotel world. I had a room with a window (I didn't think I could stand 6 nights in a small, windowless room) but that meant that it was VERY noisy--I actually timed garbage trucks apparently collecting garbage at 8 p.m., 11 p.m., and 4 a.m. all in the same night/morning! Maybe a central collection site is on that street? The front desk was very disorganized and not service oriented--despite my confirmed 6 night reservation, I got a voicemail message the morning after I checked out telling me that I had overstayed! It took them another 2 days to straighten out my reservation, which I had made on their website, confirmed by phone, and upon check-in, and a one-night reservation I'd made for my aunt and made/confirmed the same way. And little things--like no hotel stationery, no room service, the touted cappacino comes from the sort of machine you find in a 7/11, the continental breakfast is very minimal--sticky pastries, a dozen apples and bananas which alwyas go fast, and coffee and tea. Comfort Inn does better with bagels, cereal, fresh fruit enough for all as well as bagels and muffins. The bathroom sink leaked, and the maid service was stingy with refills for shampoo. This is really a budget hotel with a few cheap attempts to be charming--the neon light hung behind the headboard still had its 2.99 pricetag on, and was hanging precariously. There were only two sockets in the room so that meant loads of tangled extension cords for the clock radio, tv, and lights--looked like a fire hazard to me.

The staff were not very helpful or friendly, and checkout took ages and ages in the miniscule lobby which couldn't contain the checking in and out guests, their luggage, and the single overworked doorman/bellhop.

The location is great, but unless you get an on-lline rate, I wouldn't pay more than NY budget prices for this budget hotel.

The Franklin is perfect

I just returned from New York last week.. June 2003.First, if you're in New York for vacationing the Franklin is the perfect location.Midtown is too crazy. The Franklin is in the upper east side located near an express stop on the subway. Otherwise, Central park, museums, restaurants and bars are within walking distance.

We loved it but tiny rooms

Well located hotel 1 1/2 blocks from the subway. Very well kept and clean but the smallest rooms we have seen this side of Paris. Hotel was quiet and the staff was tremendous. Rose pedals placed on the stoop each night as you come home

Excellent little hotel with brilliant staff

Just come back from 3 days at The Franklin Hotel and it has been most excellent. The room was very small, but it was great for a short stay. They do have larger rooms for longer stays, but how long are you planning to stay in your room when in NY? Lots of nice little touches such as Avena products, duvets (not blankets and sheets, complimentary videos and Espresso bar. The staff is courteous and extremely helpful. We will definitely be back!

Very Romantic and Friendly Staff

Friendly staff and good location in the Upper East Side. Although the rooms were small, it was clean and I would definitely recommend The Franklin.