i stayed at the duncan twice last year, the first time was in january and everything was fine, spent the majority of my time on campus. however, the second time i was there, in mid-september, i was there for a funeral. after the service, i came back to change clothes and just wanted to chill in my room with some friends (keep in mind, these are friends i only see once every 2 or 3 years) and the guy at the front desk stopped us all as we were going up the stairs and told me i couldnt have any visitors in my room, unless i wanted to pay for them. i explained they were only there to visit and would be leaving in a few hours, even told him we hadnt seen each other in years and were there for a funeral ~ he replied, that it was not his problem!! i was so pissed off i checked out and went to a higher priced hotel a few blocks over ~ the extra $$ was worth it. i wouldnt recommend this hotel ~ unless your just really hard up for a cheap place to stay.

My husband and I stayed in a King Suite in March 2007. The room was fine - simple, old furnishings, spacious - but the bathroom was NOT clean. Yes, it was old, which is fine, but the toilet was filthy. If only the bathroom had been clean, I would be posting a very positive review saying it is the best deal in New Haven. Nevertheless, for travelers on a budget, I'm sorry to say it is the best option New Haven has to offer.

After reading a few reviews on the Duncan, it didn't seem that bad. It certainly is a 50's style hotel with a 120 year old hand operated elevator. I am thinking "cute and quaint", and right next to Yale. It also looks like you've stepped into a horror movie. The lobby is the only nice thing about the place.

After a rude, front desk person pushed a piece of paper over to me to fill out, our kindly elevator operator took us to our second floor room. We were guided to our room, which smelled like stale cigarettes. The door did not lock. In fact, I screwed in the loose deadbolt screw and then propped a chair up under the doorknob for "added security"

The mattress was flat. The furniture were all mismatched pieces that looked like they were from the 70s. But the best part -- the bathroom was really something else. I don't think they bleached or cleaned the tile in years. The toilet rocked on its base when you sat on it. There was no garbage can, no alarm clock, no hair dryer, no iron. Nothing you'd expect to get a hotel.

We went to sleep to the sound of the elevator and our noisy neighbor next door. Later that night, the steam radiator kicked off and we woke to a cold room.

Guess you really get what you paid for: $84 for two people to stay overnight at the Duncan. If you need a budget room and you don't really need much more than a bed and shut eye. This is the place. Otherwise there are two other properties within the same distance of the University.

My son and I stayed at the Duncan for one night at the end of October. I had requested a non-smoking room away from the street and was shown to a large, clean, quiet room in the back. Everything was nice, the tv worked just fine, and the staff was polite. You can not beat this place for the price -- my room was $78 for 2. We will definitely stay here again!