i have no qualms with this hotel. For a traveler who does not plan on spending much time in the hotel this is a very acceptable hotel. Priced right and quiet. Again if you are looking for comforts of home. TV,ice in your soda, warm snacks try somewhere else.

I was very nervous about staying at the Carter after reading some of the on-line reviews AFTER I made my reservation. For just over $100/ night staying 1/2 block off of Times Square you aren't going to be in the Ritz Carlton. The whole place was old and dingy with some interesting stains on the walls and people in the lobby, but my room was tidy with fresh linens. The bathroom was passable - bring your own soap. I never saw a roach, mouse, or other unwanted roommate. The woman who checked me in was courteous and efficient and check-out involved turning in my key and walking out. Overall, for NYC on a budget, I would stay again.

I knew we had made a bad decision on booking the hotel the moment we stepped foot into the place. The reception area ( i don't even know if we can call it that) was dark, there were stains on the walls, shady people standing around watching us, and rude workers. The worker at the front desk literally grabbed our money and threw us the key. while waiting in line to check in, there was a woman who was complaining about her showerhead which broke and fell on her while she was showering!!!

Graffiti in the halls and all over the doors and walls. We saw an old man.... literally 90 years old...who worked at the hotel trying to sweep. was that housekeeping?

The rooms were no different from the nasty reception area. Weird rugs stappled to the walls, one single lightbulb with a chain hanging from the ceiling. we were on an upper floor and there was no screen on the window to prevent anyone from jumping out . the sink had mismatched handles and there was mysterious water on the floor before anyone had used the bathroom. toilet paper was half used when we got there. very clear that the rooms don't get cleaned after they are used. how is this hotel still in business?????????

right when walking into the room, we observed that our stained bed was half made. The walls were stained with dead bugs and yellow and black marks. i stood on the bed with sandals in order to change my clothes. after about one hour in the room we had enough. it was very funny walking out of the hotel with our luggage and seeing the terrified looks of the people checking in.

What can I say.

Cheap and central, we decided to go for the triple room (there was only 2 of us) because it was $10 cheaper than twin!?!
they've probably fixed that pricing anomaly now.

the enterance is unmaintained and dingy the reciption hall there was a guy sleeping in the corner, drunk? didn't want to findout.

The woman was bit pissed off with us booking the triple room but hey she did honour the price and our backpacks were taken to our rooms by the porter (is it an american thing? to have a porter even in a dump of a hotel? )

Graffiti in corridor (see the pic), the walls were covered in carpet?!?! possible to hide stains or bullet holes, who knows, let your imagination run wild now :)


anyway
the room was *HUGE* 2 double beds, aircon unit using half the window.

my travel companion freaked out as the window wouldnt secure shut, and since we were on a balcony that (I think) was gave access to all the rooms on the floor.

The bathroom was well stocked with clean towels, covered in marble the place is looking a distant cousin from its possibly glamorous former past.

There was a problem with drainage and I didn't trust place, so flipflops were in order.

Like I said, the beds were HUGE. possible the same size as the entire single room I have here :) plenty of storage space in the very basic walk in cupboard.

The TV had 5-6 channels the rest were badly tuned, but who wants to watch TV instead of exploring the city, didn't really miss it.

I could pickup wireless internet access from the hotel adjacent hilton (I think) and Minto (or something) which is a big hotel opposite.

The takeaway place at the entrance sells reasonably priced food and is open 24/7 like many of the places of its type in NYC.

All in all, great value, not for the faint hearted or luxury traveller, if you want a story to bring back from NYC you might want stay there :)