The Shoreham
33 W. 55th St., between 5th and 6th Aves., New York, New York, 10019, USA, New York City, New York, USA
Why We Like It
If you take the Shoreham for what it is—slightly dilapidated sophistication—and not expect too much from it, especially at the rates these days, you can find great value in this stay. Well-designed rooms with quality furniture, in a prime Midtown location, the Shoreham should hang on for good reason.
Fodor's Expert Review
Everyone roots for the Shoreham. It’s an independently owned hotel in Midtown that used to be luxury but affordable! It’s run into hard times over its years, and it’s back up for sale now. Perhaps the troubles are wearing on the property, but it certainly doesn’t show in the service. Rooms may have cracks and creaks, but the staff offers personalized service and are there to provide as best they can. While the hotel’s fate is still up for grabs, at these rates for these large, still-sophisticated and clean rooms, one could a whole lot worse. In fact, one couldn’t do a whole lot better.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
Well-designed contemporary Deco-inspired rooms that maximize the boxy space. The gentle shagreen and beige color palette, with blonde wood and green upholstered furnishings, are subtle and evoke Midtown sophistication. Belgian linens, flat screen TVs, work desk and hidden storage space. Tech is big here: you can request an Xbox 360 or PS2, and rooms have free Wi-Fi and big flat-screens. The ingredients are all there.
Bathroom
The condition of a hotel is first seen in the bathrooms. The all-white, subway-tile bathtub and shower (there’s a lot of grouting!) exhibit little cracking or mold. Good sign. The bathrooms are a standard New York-sized bathroom with just a pinch too little space between tub/toilet/sink. Some rooms have soaking tubs in slate bathrooms. But it’s clean and the lighting ain’t bad.
Lobby
A bit of a glorified hallway with bright green benches, the lobby houses the reception area, as well as access to the restaurant and bar. No scene with martinis here.
Gym
There’s a mid-size fitness center with a handful of machines and weights.
Dining
Shoreham Bar & Grill doesn’t look like much, in that it could be confused for yet another forgettable tourist restaurant that’s trying to hard. And in some ways it is, but it secretly has a great culinary team in the back (though, at Midtown prices, it better taste good)! The restaurant also provides room service during restaurant hours. It’s also where breakfast for hotel guests is served.
Drinking
Shoreham Bar is a full-stocked bar that once tried to position itself as a sexy hotel bar, but instead became a post-work hang that’s not overly crowded. Not great value but also won't break the bank.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Close to the E/F/M at 53rd Street or the N/Q/R/W at 57th street just 5-minutes away.
Restaurants
Hidden in the back annals of the Parker Meridien (4-minute walk) is the Burger Joint, serving the classic cheeseburgers and fries in a graffiti’d lunchbox joint to insiders for decades. Quality Italian (5-minute walk), sister to Quality Meats, is a fresh pasta and anti-pasta emporium that’s a smashing hit.
Bars
Though intimidating, it is possible to have a reasonable martini and a few oysters at the history-making Russian Tea Room (5-minute walk). Toss elbows if you must, for getting a seat at the wonderful Aldo Sohm wine bar (7-minute walk) can be a mighty task. Still, it’s the classiest joint for an interesting glass of Viognier or Primitivo in mid-Midtown.
Photos
Quick Facts
People Also Liked
The New York EDITION
The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
