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| - Okay - they ARE renovating.
But I have a feeling I was in one of the renovated rooms and I can still in good conscience only give this place two stars.
I've read here about staff problems, and they seem to have really ironed that out - I found everyone to be attentive, friendly and helpful (I needed a few items during my stay - a corkscrew, fem products - no questions asked, and they delivered in a New York minute, or nearly, with a smile).
The rest of my experience wasn't quite as pleasant.
While I credit the Blake for offering free wifi in their lobby, they have joined the rank and file of hotels that gouge their patrons with exorbitant "In-Room wifi" fees that are simply appalling.
The bathrooms are very poorly designed, with sinks that splash back at you, and showers you can't get into without closing the bathroom door first (and which leak onto the floor).
The beds are indeed very uncomfortable - sub-sized and hard, I had difficulty sleeping both nights, as did my traveling companion.
The elevators were a little frightening - twice they skipped floors, and jumped (not a great feeling).
The lack of a refrigerator to me is never a good sign in a hotel (I like to have a few snacks handy like carrots and hummous and stuff) but no fridge in a hotel that doesn't offer room service is a big problem, and as I said, if I was in a renovated room, I don't imagine this changing (you may want to call in future and see if they've installed any).
And I'm sorry, but the fact that a new restaurant is opening soon is no excuse for a bar that's sticky-filthy and service that, while super-friendly, is painfully - almost aggressively - slow.
So I give stars to the staff, who seem to have taken past patrons seriously and really made an effort - which deserves credit.
And I urge you to make sure if you stay that you at LEAST get a renovated room and bring a corkscrew.
And Ambien. You'll need it.
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