Thanks to its prime location at the heart of the historic Lower East Side, the Redford Hotel attracts a steady steam of locals in from New Jersey and Upstate New York in for a city weekend, as well as tourists who want to be in the heart of the action; with its tiny rooms, though, the hotel doesn't lend itself to long stays. There is a small rooftop terrace with impressive views out over the city, but most guests don't seem to know it's there.

Down the block from iconic bar and music venue Pianos and surrounded by hip bars and restaurants, the hotel's location couldn't be more perfect for a few action-packed days in New York City. Chinatown, Little Italy, SoHo, Greenwich Village, and the East Village are all within walking distance, and the J, M, Z, and F subway lines all stop three blocks from the hotel. The LES isn't quiet -- it embodies the "City That Never Sleeps" moniker to its fullest -- but it is fun and exciting, well into the wee hours of the morning.

The rooms are most notable for their size: small and cramped, often without space to put a suitcase. The bathrooms are similarly tiny, though the showers feel large for the space. Sheets and towels are clean, although some guests have reported noticing lapses in cleaning practices, including dirty floors. Lower-level rooms on the front tend to get street and bar noise well into the night, but back rooms are quiet and can have lovely rooftop views. All rooms do have a mini-fridge, flat-screen TV with cable, and coffeemaker.

The Redford Hotel offers a free breakfast each morning; cereal, toast, bacon, fruit, and coffee are served in a cramped hallway in the basement. While it's a welcome feature, the neighborhood has plenty of other affordable breakfast options with a few minutes of the hotel. There's also a rooftop patio with a table and chairs, looking out over the Lower Manhattan skyline; it's a nice spot to watch the sunset with a few beers from the bodega. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, though it can be quite slow at times.