We have just returned from NY, had a confortable stay at Desmond Tutu Center. As other travellers have mentioned, the hotel offers good value for money at current prices, and it is conveniently placed for public transport, only two stops away on the underground from Times Square. The area is very nice and safe, and it's a 10 minutes walk to the underground. The rooms vary in size, we had a very small one, while our friends had a much bigger room for the same rate. Ours resembled a big cupboard, with only enough space to squeeze in past the bed and no lights on ceiling, only two or three desk lamps, which made it difficult to read in the evening. The bed is confortable, nice linens, and nice touches in room, with tea/coffee machine available, water, toiletries in bath etc. I phoned the hotel direct to book and got a decent rate, but then I noticed a much cheaper rate on the hotel website. I contacted the hotel by email and got the lower rate confirmed. There were also a few problems at check in, we asked for a room away from the street (10th Avenue can be quite busy and the hotel is next to the road), at which point the receptionist asked me if I wanted to cancel the reservation and go and find a better hotel! (very rude, she was a supervisor, as well!) After some convincing, she agreed to transfer us to another room, but then she made us wait for another hour before she dealt with the forms. After travelling for 12 hours, this wasn't the welcome we expected, but then the other staff were all nice and we had a good stay. Breakfast offers a good choice, but no cooked food, probably due to building regulations, it includes smoked salmon, boiled eggs, bagels, pastries, a selection of fruit and fruit juices, teas, coffees etc. There is a nice choice of restaurants in the area, we found two nice ones, Don Giovanni down the street from the hotel (5 mins on 10th avenue) makes fantastic pizza and offers a selection of other dishes, and the Greek restaurant on corner of 9th avenue with 23rd street, with a more modest decor, but an excellent selection of nicely cooked meals at very decent prices.

First of all, as at March 2008, this hotel is still being refurbished.
We stayed for 7 nights in a snowy and then cold February. No problems with the heating, it was always nice and warm as each room has its own AC/Heating unit. We were originally offered the room near the temporary side entrance, but it was a bit cold and the goods lift for the builders was right outside. It was very big for a NYC room though. We asked to be moved and were given a smaller room (still good for a NYC room) at the back of the building. This was very comfortable and quiet.
I agree with a previous reviewer that the corridors are narrow, but we never heard any noise as this is one solidly built old building.
Breakfast in the lovely refectory was good - bagels, fresh salmon and mackerel, pastries, coffee, juice.
Staff were always friendly and efficient.
The only disadvantage to this hotel is the distance from the subway - 4 or 5 blocks. OK if you are there for a couple of days, but after a weeks stay, it becomes a bit of a chore.
I would stay there again, but only if I could not get somewhere in the Village for the same price.

There are, apparently, a fair number of hotels in NYC that are converted day hotels, schools, convents, etc. The Desmond Tutu Center is one of them. And along with that comes some compromises - smaller rooms, narrow hallways, fewer amenities. But overall it's not a bad place to stay for a night or two.

The rooms are, as said above, small. But comfortable enough. Traveling alone on business I never felt crowded; but I don't know how you'd put 2 or more into the room without stepping all over each other. Bathrooms are equally small, as you'd expect.

The public spaces are inconsistent. There is no lobby to speak of. But the rectory, where they serve the complimentary continental breakfast, is spacious and cool. Hallways are narrow, but bright.

As stated there are few amenities. No room service. No workout facility (the printed material says they have one, but I couldn't find it. They offer discount day passes to the gym down the street). Complimentary breakfast with decent selection. Free wireless, which is nice but the connection tends to drop every hour or so.

Service is good. I showed up fresh from a redeye to find that they canceled my reservation as a no show. When I explained that there should be a note in the file about my redeye arrival the front desk person simply said "I'll just reinstate the room."

The property is in Chelsea, a ways away from the hustle and bustle of Midtown. I initially felt like I was staying in the hinterlands, but am not going to complain about the quiet.

Not entirely sure I would stay here again on a holiday trip. But may consider it on business.

I only booked my trip to New York last minute, but I was very lucky to find a deal for this hotel as I had a fantastic stay there.
Yes, the hotel is not quite finished yet, but please do not let this put you off. Outside still looks like a building site, but inside is fantastic and will look wonderful once the work is finished. The staff were friendly and the room was wonderful. Nice and big, the comfiest bed I've ever slept in as well as a few nice extras such as a big tv, plenty of towels, tea/coffee and free breakfast. The free wireless was handy too.
The hotel is also in a very safe, handy location and is no more than 10 minutes walk from the subway (8th and 23rd st).
Ok, it may seem a little rough around the edges right now, but I would reccommend this hotel to anyone.