Washington Square Hotel

Built in 1902, the Washington Square Hotel has a fascinating past. In its previous incarnation it was Hotel Earle, a rundown resident hotel offering cheap shelter for famous writers and musicians during their struggling-artist years. Dylan Thomas was a frequent guest, and former occupant Bo Diddley even returned to play at the opening of the new lobby. Bob Dylan and Joan Baez briefly lived in Room 305, back when bohemian Greenwich Village was home to beatnik coffeehouses. The Paul family purchased the hotel in 1973 and changed the name in the '80s. Over the past several decades, the family has updated and beautified the 149-room hotel with a series of timely renovations. The Art Deco-inspired lobby remains the hotel’s showpiece. A striking white and green marble floor and a mural of actors from the golden age of cinema greets guests as they walk up to the polished-wood reception desk. Beyond that, a reproduction of a famous John Singer Sargent painting sits between two couches upholstered in a geometric pattern. Hand-painted murals and tile paintings done by the owner's artist mother give the hotel add a funky, homespun charm. Since Greenwich Village turned from budget bohemian to one of NYC’s most upscale neighborhoods, the artists of the past have been replaced by parents of NYU students and tourists who want to be away from Midtown chaos. Guests and locals fill the underground lounge bar at happy hour -- the bar’s mosaic tile floor and Parisian wrought-iron gate plays on the romance of a bygone era. The North Square restaurant out front comes alive at mealtimes, observing all of the street action rushing past right outside. 

The hotel is on the street opposite of the northwest corner of Manhattan’s iconic Washington Square Park. It sits on a particularly charming block, lined with a cluster of traditional brownstone houses and businesses. The iconic farm-to-table Blue Hill restaurant is just a block away and there are several jazz and comedy clubs within a 10-minute walk. Still, this is a quieter block for the area since most of the NYU and tourist traffic is situated in the park or around Bleecker Street, about a six-minute walk away. The hotel is one block west (about a two-minute walk) of the West 4th Street subway stop (Waverly Place and Sixth Avenue). The West 4th Street subway stop has both express lines (A/B/D) and local lines (C/E/F). It’s easy to access both the west side of Manhattan and the East Village from here, where New York’s best nightlife can be found. New York City has three main airports: J.F.K., LaGuardia, and Newark (in New Jersey). Generally speaking, it should take around an hour from JFK, 30 minutes from LaGuardia, and about 60 minutes from Newark depending on traffic. 

Washington Square Hotel has 149 guest rooms and while they're perfectly lovely, they're not as intriguing as the public spaces. Decor is mostly simple with hardwood floors and a neutral color scheme. Maroon velvet drapes and pop art above the beds are the only interesting aspects. Most rooms are small, the most affordable units are around 143 square feet. The closets are also on the narrow side and offer just enough space for a few shirts or a coat since two bathrobes and an umbrella are already crammed inside. The other side of the closet is taken up by shelves stocked with a safe, iron, and slippers. There is, however, ample drawer and shelf space for folded garments. All rooms offer cable flat-screen TVs, clock radios with iPod docks, Keurig coffee machines, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are pristine and white-tiled with shower/tub combos. Hairdryers and a selection of C.O. Bigelow toiletries are provided. Rooms on higher levels can have lovely views of the park, though some rooms have interior or partial interior views and are a bit dark. Note that past guests have reported minor maintenance issues and wear. 

Features here are mostly straightforward, since guests tend to spend their time exploring New York. The free continental breakfast includes granola and muffins, plus fresh fruit, bagels, and even gluten-free toast (plus wheat toast). The hotel restaurant, North Square, is an American bistro serving simple but elegant dishes for breakfast (not included), lunch, and dinner daily, and hosts a legendary Sunday jazz brunch. The adjoining North Square Lounge hosts popular daily happy hours. Serenity Suite is the small spa space which offers a decent range of face and massage treatments, plus waxing services and sunless tanning. The small fitness center provides Cybex cardio and weight machines. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel.