The best thing about the Gramercy is the staff, who were more than willing to help us during our stay. The location on East 24 St. and 3rd is also convenient, but it can be noisy in the early hours when the bars empty.
When it comes to the room, a chair would be handy, especially if you wish to sit down and write/work, rather than lying on the bed all the time. Moreover, what seemed to be a door to a cupboard for a minibar/fridge was basically just an empty space - having a small fridge in the room would be handy to keep drinks chilled. In addition, a kettle would be handy - if the Gramercy can supply an iron, ironing board and a hairdryer (which it did in our room), then a kettle and small fridge would also help.
Cleanliness was a slight issue - the bedding is basic; aircon looked word and dirty; towels smelled of bleach; windows could do with a clean, etc. However, hotels in New York are seldom spotless.
Though the image of the reception area in the Expedia listing is authentic, the rooms should match those images they hint at. Failure to do this is just disappointing for guests.
Once the quality of the rooms is the same as the level of staff service, then the Gramercy can be a great place to stay at - the owners just have to invest, which I fear they won't!
