Carlton Arms Hotel

Absolutely amazing budget stay. My friend and I booked a single double bed room but when we arrived, we were able to check in early and we even got a free upgrade to a two double bed room! The location was great, less than a 10 minute walk to the subway and close to the empire state building. Comfortable and clean room, a little bit noisy but what else would you expect in new york? On our last day, we told the reception in the evening that we were getting an uber to stay overnight at the airport for an 8am flight. They then kindly let us use our room again for a few hours for free so that we were able to get some rest beforehand. Lovely staff and can’t forget Ned the cat!

This hotel definitely isn't perfect- It was built in 1860, and it shows in places. The floor is uneven, your room will be pretty baren, it was slightly uncomfortably hot (it was mid November), there's no elevator, it's very loud (granted, I was on a corner room) and in the cheapest rooms you are sharing a bathroom with 15 of your neighbors (you do have a sink in the room, for hygiene reasons). However, as long as you keep the expectations in check, this truly is “the hotel you'll never forget!”. The staff is nice, my room and bed was clean, the location is amazing (middle of Manhattan, close to bars, subway stop, ect), I had a little bit of a view and only paid $141 for a night here. The art is *everywhere*, and is definitely eccentric, but isn't like anywhere else. If you just need a good jumping off point to explore NYC and don't mind something being rough around the edges, I can't recommend the Carlton Arms hotel enough!

Funky, fun, authentic New York. Wall are all painted differently, some rooms do not have a bathroom, but ot works out so well. Don't come looking for perfection, look for an experience. And dont forget to say hi to Ned, the famous hotel cat!

A very special hotel: The Carlton Arms Hotel. The first time I stayed there was with my girlfriend and son, about two decades ago. It's still etched in my memory. All those colors are wonderful. This atmospere is the Big Apple for me. I remember 'climbing' the Twin Towers afterwards (well, we used the elevator in the 2-Towers).

The cat was best part. Ned was very accepting of attention, but not needy. The room was spacious enough for 2 double beds, but no TV or work area, but excellent value. Close to lots of attractions. Quiet because it's on a pedestrian mall.

Small rooms and shared bathrooms hide a true passion and love for the location. Fun and funky murals everywhere, kindness from the staff, and a relatively cheap price for the city makes the place worth it!

Rooms were sufficient, staff were relatively nice, and the location and price were excellent. The cat was very friendly but the bathrooms were a tad disgusting. One of the rooms had soundproofing and a directors chair which was… an interesting artistic choice. I would totally stay here again, provided I could stay in one of the more normal rooms.

This is a budget hotel so you get what you pay for. It's location is ideal for me, uptown or downtown are easy to get to either way, no elevator but not a problem for me, coffee machine in reception as is a microwave, you are free to come and go as you please, the door has a key code lock which is perfect, I have no complaints

It pains me to write this review. I have been coming to this hotel for 3 decades and I have always loved the quirkiness of the place. It's always fun to see the available rooms, soak in the fun vibe, enjoy a clean stay at a budget price, and hang out with the cat. Well, my recent stay included none of those things (except the cat). We booked the last room available on this particular trip, so didn't get to choose from any others. Or possibly the person at the front desk -- who was someone we didn't recognize this time and seemed a bit grumpy (but past times we've encountered a jovial, friendly person) -- didn't feel like giving us any choice. It was a room we'd stayed in a couple years ago but, sadly, the experience was sorely lacking. The first thing I noticed was they no longer give you plastic cups. Each room has a small sink and it was nice to have cups for drinking or teeth brushing. And, although they provide a bath towel for each person, there were no hand towels or washcloths (which maybe didn't matter because we couldn't get warm water in the sink to wash up until the next morning... it was ice cold!) We were two people in a triple so we had 3 bath towels. Which was good because I had to use one to cover the stain on the bedsheet. I don't know if the sheets weren't washed or what, but there was a dark blob there when I turned the cover down. Ew. The heat from the radiator was blasting. It was not a cozy heat -- it was unbearable. And there's really no way to regulate the radiator, so we opened the window as far as it would go to compensate. Unfortunately, the window opened into the narrow well that is bordered on all sides by walls, so it was not much relief even in the dead of winter. There was a very very small (about 1 foot square) mirror in the room over the sink. It was at waist level so, combined with the dim lighting, there was almost no way to comfortably do hair, makeup, contact lenses, etc. without contorting yourself and wrenching your back while ducking and leaning over the sink. There were 2 inner doors in the room, each was locked shut but had pretty wide gaps (as all doors do in this older building). That would not bother me if on the other side of one of the doors was a bathroom. The people in the room next door used the bathroom several times during the night and we were awakened by the very loud (like, as if they were right next to your ear!) sounds of peeing, pooping, and flushing. The entire hallway smelled strongly of cigarette smoke. This was disgusting and, unfortunately, is the second time we've experienced this on the "C" floor. The icing on the cake was the price, and what prompted me to write the review. This hotel used to be appropriately priced as a no-frills accommodation, on par with the hostels in the city. It's still slightly cheaper than many hotels, but offers even fewer frills (which is hard to believe) and seems to be skimping on the usual cleanliness, friendliness, and comfort. Tips: -Avoid the "C" floor if cigarette smoke bothers you -There are no elevators so make sure you are ok with climbing up a few floors to your room -The cat(s) may come into the rooms so be aware of this if you have an allergy -There is nobody at the desk in the late evening/early morning hours so don't lose your keys or try to get assistance -Many rooms (especially triples) provide no bedside table/nightstand -Get coffee in the neighborhood, not in the lobby (if it's even available) -Do admire the Banksy pieces in the corridors and near the front door (he once lived and worked in the Carlton!) and the Egyptian-themed hallway on the "D" floor

Is it worth $142 on a sat night (including taxes and fees) for a Double bed + 1 twin)? It's a holiday long weekend and most 2-3 stars hotels in the entire Manhatten range $120-180 plus taxes. Airbnb units twice as much. So I guess one has to put in perspective when they compare; essentially what you pay is what you get - this seemed like "market rate". The room we booked was for 3 persons but we had only two occupants which is just right for the space. Might be tight for 3 if you have plenty of luggages. There is a mini fridge (not very clean but not gross like you would see in some motels) and a sink in every room which was convenient so you don't have to spend extra time in the tiny shared restrooms . A public area next to reception on 1st floor with free coffee and tea in morning. Also a microwave and water fountain. I guess the idea is that if you have leftovers, save them in your room's mini fridge and then warm them in the shared microwave. Pro: charming, unique, interesting murals and artistic, great location (lots of restaurants!), hot water in showers, heater kept room very toasty, clean sheets, clean thick newer towels, staff is super nice (Mr Patagonia) and gave a nice welcome. Room is relatively clean, doesn't smell. Con: it's a hostel at a hotel price. Some rooms are better condition than others. Some of the bathrooms are also slightly better condition than others because they were upgraded. Bedroom got too hot we had to prop open the window to cool it down. No elevator. Suggestion: 1. arrive early you might get a choice of rooms 2. Bring Flipflop (and a plastic bag for your personal stuff) for the shared bathroom 3. Save a few dollars if you book direct. We paid more through Agoda because we didn't know. 4. Tour the whole hotel walk around every floor! 5. Don't loose your key - no staff after midnight so you will be locked out! 6. Plug in the mini fridge first thing when you check in as it takes forever to cool it down. We had a room with walls of painted dolls that look like voodoo dolls - especially when the lights go out, their white faces reflect the ambient light looking back at you....pretty spooky. We didn't hear any noise from next door. Kept expecting to see cockroaches crawling out from the drains but so glad we didn't. We parked on the street - free parking on sat night to Sunday. Other days you have to pay the meter. We could have driven to Queens and had a much nicer and newer hotel for the same price but then we chose location over that. One night is ok. More only if you ok with the gringiness. It's very old and could updates but then, if updated, you probably won't be paying this price like other places in Manhatten.

I think this is the spiritual heir to the now-gentrified Chelsea Hotel. I thought I had rhapsodized about this place on Yelp before, but I guess I was on some other site. It's no-frills but magical and I want to be there right now. The location is great; there's a friendly and rather beautiful Irish pub in the same Victorian building, where I got advice from the bartender about how to get out to the ocean on a hot day (Rockaway) and how to navigate a long-time irregular comet relationship (Me: we love each other but he can ignore me for stretches of ten years. Bartender: Sounds like a lot of marriages.). There is also the most beautifully curated charity shop I've ever seen, right down the street. The hotel staff are friendly and accommodating; Ned, the fat, I mean big-boned (as the staff advised me to tactfully refer to him), cat is a trip, and the art is amazing in its range and quality and the sheer amount of it. I ended up taking phone photos of it on every mundane excursion, like to the recycle bin at the end of the hall. There's a fun educational video about the place on YouTube. I tried to post photos but they won't upload.

WHAT A DUMP!!!!!!!!! At first I was stoked to be staying at a "art hotel" but this place ended up being more of a flop house with murals. The moment I arrived an ambulance was wheeling some dude outta here because he took too many edibles and was freaking out! Nice start.. My room: -Of all the cool looking rooms with murals I had the most poorly decorated one. -The door knob wasn't secured to the door and instead of turning and stopping, it just swirled around. I called the front desk about it and someone said they would come fix it but they never did. -The closet smelled like mold but since they put a glade freshener in there, I guess they assumed it was going to make that moldy thing smell fresh..NOPE!! It was also painted jet black, no light and there was a window air conditioner stored in there sitting on a scraped up floor. -The carpet was cheap, old and in spots was torn or didn't go all the way to the wall. I REGRET not brining flip flops and ended up walking around with my shoes on because the carpet was so fucking gross. -The bed...if you are over 5"8 just know your feet will dangle over this bed. The sheets were washed but looked like there were old stains all over it. The comforter looked like they salvaged it from a thrift store., it was ratty with discolorations and looked like a cat had been clawing at it. -The walls and ceiling had stains all over them, cracks, water damage. There were several odd "shelves" that served no purpose at all and had nails jutting out the tops of them -The sink in the room had a huge chunk of porcelain missing and was rusted as all hell! I didn't trust the water coming out of it, so I went down to get bottled water. -The bathoom was painted jet black with one annoying light fixture. -The shower was barely big enough to turn around or bend down. The water pressure also sucked and the water temperature was hard to regulate. It would go up to boiling hot every couple minutes so yeah that sucked! I also wish I had flip flops because it just looked scuzzy! -The rooms without bathrooms shared a hall bathroom that had a squeaky door. So that was great to hear in the middle of the night! -Oh and there was an impromptu music performance somewhere in the hotel that wasn't posted on their website and wasn't a sign for downstairs at the front desk and I was NEVER told about when I checked in. Had I of known, I would have left because I had no desire to hear folk music and harmonica for over an hour! -The exit push door bar was hanging off, that didn't look safe at all especially because there was a homeless dude hanging out downstairs at all hours! The only nice thing I can say about this hotel was the location! THAT IS IT!

This place has some nerve calling itself a "hotel." It's actually a crumbling old flophouse with nice grafitti. The management takes pride in not offering "amenities." But a locking door, functioning temperature control, and a working shower are not "amenities." Those are basic health and safety conditions that should be met before a business charges people to stay there overnight. The deadbolt to my room just spun freely in circles. The "heater" was a freestanding appliance with the wheels removed so it ripped chunks out of the carpet if you tried to move it. The shower wouldn't stay at a comfortable temperature so it was worthless. Apparently decades ago the management removed a run-down SRO from the list of affordable housing downtown, kicked out the "welfare hotel" residents (their own words from their website) and have allowed artists to live there for free in return for decorating the walls. But if a shower was installed in the 1980's, at some point in the next FORTY years it might need repair. I guess the repair person doesn't want to schlep their tools up four flights of stairs? Or the "hotel" is too greedy to do any routine maintenance? Just because the people running the place are cool artistic types, it doesn't mean it's OK to put other people at risk. The location is decent. The art is pretty. Make sure the door to your room actually locks before you accept it if you do want to stay there. Better yet, why not just pop in for a tour and get the general idea without putting yourself in danger?

My family used to run a motel and you start to notice the little ways that businesses cut corners. Make sure to bring your own toiletries including bath wash and shampoo. I would also recommend bringing shower shoes and your own towel (though they provide you with one) because you don't want to be standing in the shower barefooted. At least the bed sheets appeared new and that's all we really needed. In addition to the mediocre conditions, the man at the front desk was quite rude when we first checked in. He scrutinized my friend's signature, stating how the last letter in her last name on her driver's license looked slightly different from how she signed it on her credit card. She had to show him 3 different cards before he finally accepted it. It was extremely unwelcoming and kind of intimidating. Will not be back.

What a unique art hotel, we had a great stay at Carlton Arms. Even with so many boutique hotels to choose from in NYC, this place really stood out with its history and aesthetic. The location is amazing for folks looking to sightsee and be based in a convenient part of town, lots of things to do within walking distance restaurants, bars, subway. Art aside, the folks at the hotel run a smooth operation, reservation hassle-free and everything was just as we expected when we showed up exhausted at night. We've been recommending this gem of a hotel to our friends and are looking forward to our next stay.

If you are considering this hotel don't do it if you are not a fan of cat & . My daughters university booked this hotel for the students for their corporate excursion experience not knowing this hotel would not be in an acceptable condition. to be in the condition. This place was so bad the students didn't want to sit their stuff on the floor, there was no ELEVATOR, the sink was leaking and the bathroom was undesirable and definitely not a place you want to bath in. After checking in and seeing the condition of the rooms and the cat, it was a no brainer that another hotel the students must go and that is exactly what happened. Talk about feeling like you're apart of a crime scene. This place has character alright...too much for most! And I believe you get what you pay for and some times it pays to pay extra to be a peace and know you are safe when you sleep!

Wow. Upon walking in, it was like entering another world. I absolutely LOVED my stay here. The hosts were polite and my room was very comfy. Other than one of the showers having no hot water, (i ended up using one that did fortunately) i'd say my stay was pretty great! I would definitely stay again, can't wait to see what room i get next time!!

Why you want to stay here: Safe location (most important) Awesome art all over the walls super nice staff great prices with a great location our room had sheets and towels extra lock for the door negatives: i was never able to connect to Wifi didn't see a kitchen My story: We were greeted by a nice guy, when we got there he gave us 3 keys and let us pick our room! we even got a upgrade for free. while checking out the rooms my gf hit the mirror with her backpack and broke it...i know. we picked our room, and when i went to return the keys i told him about it and he didn't care and was really nice about it and told us not to worry about it. overall the beds were great, prices were great and staff was nice had a great time. definitely recommend it.

If you don't like cats, not for you. If you need absolute peace and quiet to sleep, the radiator (at first) isn't for you. If you're a germaphobe clean freak, not for you. If you like white walls, not for you. If you can't walk up stairs, not for you. If you are allergic to clutter, not for you. If your ostentatious, not for you. If you have to pay top dollar to feel like your getting the best, not for you. If you don't like friendly gastropubs downstairs, not for you. If you like cranky sullen desk clerks, not for you. Did I mention 2 very non-nonchalant cats? Free coffee. Free Wifi. This is the best, cheapest, coolest, most centrally located, fun, comfortable place to stay in Manhattan, bar none. I've been staying here when I'm in Manhattan for over 15 years. Kudos.

Should be called a hostel. Fine for young backpackers who need a place to sleep and use a (shared) bathroom, but for any adult considering a "hotel" it's is a terrible option. Cons: - Shared bathrooms - No elevator - Our door didn't lock - No one available for anything after 10pm - Turned the water off for an entire morning without warning - Homeless guy wandering around the lobby at midnight Pros: - Cheap (comparatively) Will never stay here again and wouldn't recommend it to an enemy.

Nestled between the banal grayness of east 25th street there is a red door painted with gold olde English lettering, beckoning the weary, broke traveler to his/ her temporary home. From the outside, you would expect a dumpy, mildew-ridden hostel, but upon opening the door you will feel as though you have entered a WS Burroughs-esque dreamworld induced by LSD and a magic mushroom omelet. The people who work here make you feel less cool than a bar in Billyburg. I am convinced they have the greatest job in the world. They sit in Wonderland and come up with rock songs on guitars they schlepped over from their loft in a neighborhood in Brooklyn that has not become conventionally cool yet. That's how cool they are. They are on the EDGE. Plus they're hot. But on to the real catcher: each room is a take on the theme of the floor, ranging from some sort of safari, outer space, Ancient Egypt, and hallucinogenic drugs. My friend stayed on the safari floor. His room contained a 10x10 mural of pandas. These pandas were boning. A cigar-smoking donkey watched from the other wall. If I haven't convinced you to check it out yet then I am a complete failure.

This is a cheap place to stay in the heart of Manhattan that is walking distance from Broadway, the Empire State Building, and most classic NYC attractions. It's surrounded by gastropubs, bars and drunk NYU students if you want to get your swerve on, and close to several clubs. It has easy access to subways, the sex museum, and 1000 cheap delicious food stands. The building is an art collective's wet dream - a previous flophouse that's been re-imagined as a quirky place to stay with murals and objets d'art everywhere. Every hallway and room was a new and exciting twist of culture and creativity, a real eye-feast. There are (mostly) sweet kitties that live in the Carlton, though they did get into a slapping contest at 3am one night. The door barely closed and fought our efforts to lock it and looked as if it'd been kicked in a time or two. The two queen beds were creaky concave spring-happy old horrors from the 70's, with questionably clean sheets. The bathroom was a lovely old wreck, but everything worked well. We stayed in the Zirco horror room, which was pretty fantastic because it has a scavenger hunt built into the room that forces you to explore every inch of the room. The designs are what you'd expect if Dr. Moreau and H.R. Giger had an artsy lovechild. However, during these explorations, we also discovered a rather large dead roach on the floor, activating my squeamish button. Now, I can can handle a lot of ridiculous crap, I once punched a rat off my bed in Korea, but giant roaches give me the horribles. So despite this place being in a great location, dirt cheap, close to loose women and cheap drinks, I spent several nights basically not sleeping out of bug phobia. The good news is there were no bed bugs that I saw.

I always liked coming to the Carlton Arms and admire the art in the place. Recently I was partying all weekend celebrating my early Halloween birthday and liked the room I was in but there is one problem I need to address Flies in the room. Flies in the shared shower. The C floor (third floor) need to to have an exterminator come pay this place a visit. Star down from my last review but it's still the same Carlton Arms

Got a deal on TripAdvisor on the day of. Very interesting quirky hotel; front desk man was very kind. Since I did get a solidly low price I was placed on the lobby floor where the bathroom and showers are shared w every other guest on the floor. Not much to do in the room except sleep which was great since the bed was very comfy! It felt like a hostel except u have ur own room? For the price I guess it's worth it!

Typically, when i visit NY, i I stay with friends. But when i was in town for the marathon a week ago, i preferred having a room of my own. More akin to a youth hostel in Europe, Ye Olde Carlton Arms is the most unconventional hotel that i have ever visited. It's wicked cheap too. Each room has been painted and decorated by a different artist. In fact, every nook and cranny is covered in paint. Reserve well in advance, cause they only have about 50 rooms.

It's a nice, cheap hotel at a good location. The building itself is quite old, but the art makes it look nicer. Be aware that there is no elevator and the steps are rather small. The room I stayed in had no personal bathroom, and there seems to be only one per floor. There is also a shower in the bathroom as well as another shower-only room. The rooms have decent air conditioner which was a heaven sent deal during what seemed like the hottest days of the century (35°C!). The process of checking in is fast enough, and you get two keys (one for your room and one for the main door). It doesn't feel very safe having simple locks on the doors, but there seems to have cameras on every level. The rooms are individually decorated, yet very simple: a bed, a chair and a sink (my sink was very rusty and worn out - don't know if it was intended for the decor, or if it was just old). The bed itself was quite comfortable, which was a pleasant surprise for the price you pay. And despite the lack of amenities, if you're in NYC you probably won't be spending too much time in the hotel room. The rooms also aren't cleaned every day during your stay, but they're definitely cleaned before your arrival. If you're on a budget and want a place to sleep, I'd highly suggest giving this place a chance. Just don't expect much!

Love this hotel! Great location near Madison Square Park! Most helpful stuff, John is a sweetheart! Hotel itself is an art! And they also have cutest kitty

I can not get over this place!!!! At first glance I was very nervous as to what I was walking into, but it turned out to be the best stay I ever had. If you are handicapped or cannot walk up many stairs, this is not the place for you. To people complaining about no elevator, you must not be from New York because it reminded me exactly of older apartment buildings. The lobby is so cool, vintage decor everywhere and even an adorable cat. Every staircase, hallway and room is COVERED in art it's insane. Yes, its dated and yes the doors dont have ur typical locks and yes the bathrooms are small and yes I had a view of nothing, but this isnt a Marriott. The datedness made it all the much cooler.The staff is also super nice and laid back. It's also conveniently located by Third Ave and Second Ave- tons of bars and restaurants. My boyfriend and I made the joke that this is now our "place" and we will stay in every room just to see all the art- and we will.

Such a cool place! This hotel is more of a hostel I must say, which I didn't have a problem with. The art is amazing and is different on each floor/room. My friends and I got a room with two beds and a private bathroom, came out to $155 (including taxes) for 3 people which is so cheap for the middle of Manhattan. This place does have free wi-fi, they provide an extra lock for your door for when you are out of the room, and they are pretty pleasant as well. We had issues with water pressure in our room and with the toilet flushing. When we called to get some help someone was up within minutes! They also provide soap, towels, and a place to store your bags after you check-out if necessary (not a locked room). Overall the experience was great. Room was clean and just what we needed for a night. Never felt uncomfortable or unsafe. Oh yeah, there's a great bagel place on the corner with yummy bagels/cream cheeses!

Loved loved this hotel will come back for sure close to everything in nyc ... staff was really nice!! See y'all very soon

Let's face it: The Carlton Arms has about the same amenities as a Soviet prison. That said, there isn't a cheaper place in New York, the Lower East Side location is pretty good, and the rooms are beautifully painted. And, most importantly, it is clean and safe. If you are under 30 or earn less than $100,000 a year, I recommend the Carlton Arms: it is much better than you have any right to expect from an $80/night hotel in New York City.

I stayed here at a New York friend's recommendation and couldn't have been more pleased. This place has charm and a sense of whimsy without being annoyingly hip. It reminded me of staying in hostels in Europe--narrow staircases (no elevators, so pack light) and warm and friendly guests and employees. And the price is right. We had a room booked, but had our choice of four different "themed" rooms. Each room is painted by a different artist and the rooms are repainted every so often--so your stay is like visiting a gallery exhibition. Do check out every floor of the place and bring your camera. Your senses will be on overload. Our room was painted as an ode to the French painter's cats. There is a pizza place right below the hotel so your room constantly smells of fresh baked pizza (pretty solid pizza at that) and if you are a fat ass like me you'll appreciate that.

I was so psyched to go to Carlton Arms, but I gotta say it kinda let me down. This is more of a two and a half star review than a two star review. Onward. I made reservations about four months in advance because I wanted to get a cool room. When I called to confirm in November, I asked if I could pick the room but the guy said I could choose the one I liked when I got there. Fair enough. But when we got there, he said we didn't have a choice, and we got stuck with what was almost surely the most boring room in the place (11D - the English Garden). It was not fun at all. It was old-person. When we got up there, there were a few issues. Like, for example, I don't think the bathroom had been cleaned in aeons. It was kind of gross. There were hairs all over the place and the light didn't work. When we told the guy at the desk that the light bulb was burned out and asked for a new bulb, he was really rude to us and acted like we made that up. People in previous reviews mention that this place is reminiscent of European hostels, but I have to tell you that the hostels I've stayed at were no where near this dirty. And maybe it was just the room that I had and it was an off day or something, but our room was pretty unacceptable when it comes to cleanliness. It doesn't take much to please me at a hotel. I wanted some place cheap and cool with a good location. I thought Carlton Arms would fit the bill perfectly, and I really wanted to love it. But it didn't do it for me.

It wasn't so much the thread bare sheets, or the dirt covered walls or the fact that the carpet smelled like it was shampooed with bong water, it was the fact the my door only locked from the outside, thus leaving me vulnerable while I slept, that really creeped me out. Also, the fact that the office demanded that I pay for each night by noon that day, regardless of the fact that they had my credit card, or he would leave me nasty notes also left a bad taste for me. If you are 19 and looking to score some killer weed, this place is for you. If not, then stay at St. Marks, better location, clean, safe and all for the same price.

SLEEP IN ART The coolest hotel in Manhattan at discount rates (starts at about $80) Gramercy Park never has been nicer. Each room is done by a different artist, If you bring a kid mention it as some rooms may be too disturbing for them. They just had three rooms repainted. the room called the heart is the joint and includes a built in mystery. A wonderful guy form Canada came down for a couple of weeks and designed, built and painted it. Some rooms do not have interior baths and of course they are the cheapest, there is AC recently added, no TV but internet is available for free, not a bad trade off. Its old creaky and no one should stay anywhere else.

Okay, two stars for the location and the cats. Other than that.. gross. Kind of like staying at a weird uncle's place, except he is charging you a hundred bucks for the night. Let me preface my review by disclosing that I had REALLY low expectations and an open mind when I made my reservation here. I am an artist, and was only in the city for one night for an expo - I just needed a place to sleep and the room was $100. Fine. The decor is funky and cool. Customer service is meh. Check in was alright - everything is on paper here. I was a little nervous as they don't take electronic/credit card reservations. You just email/call them to confirm you're coming. Kind of weird. But we arrived and the room was ready, so alright. Old school locks.. they give you a regular key for the decrepit lock on the door of your room. Our door was old and didn't quite close well, but seemed to lock, so I was happy. The room was HOT. I'm talking like 80 degrees hot - radiator is super old but after 15 minutes of finagling, got it to turn down a bit. Sink in the corner of the room (we didn't have a private bath), the knobs malfunctioned and we almost flooded the sink several times. Gross looking towels and such, but I did not take a shower here. The shared bathroom is very small. No sink in the actual bathroom?? So you do your business and then wash your hands back in your room. The beds are quite large but very uncomfortable after a few hours. They do not provide blankets, only sheets. I ended up cracking the window because I was starting to feel sick because the room was SO hot. Then I woke up freezing in the morning and had no blanket. Alright, whatever, I could put up with all the aforementioned stuff just fine, but the weirdest part of my stay was at 1:30 am.. I was awoken by the sound of the lock fumbling on my door. I look over and a MAN IS STANDING IN THE DOORWAY. I am half asleep so I just stare back at him as he half closes the door, opens it again (yep, I'm still here staring at you), then closes it completely. Uhhh, what?? I have my boyfriend double check that the door is indeed locked on the inside. So, either reception gave this dude a double key for our room or all the locks for all the rooms are the same. Checkout was weird. Gave our keys to the dude and all he said was "have a good one". We asked if we could leave our bags for a few hours and he points to an unlocked room across the hall... we enter and there is a random man sleeping on the couch in there, so we decide to lug our packs around with us for the rest of the afternoon. Never again.

Let me first say that this hotel is not for everyone. As evidenced by some of the reviews here. Perhaps expectations are too high or budgets too low. I don't know. Me, I love Ye Olde Carlton Arms. I've been staying there for over 10 years. Even though I live on Long Island these days, and the city is an hour away, I still like to stay there at least once a year. Yes it's old, the floors are creaky, the sheets might not be 1000 count Egyptian cotton, and there's no elevators, but that's all part of it's charm and mystique. It's an eclectic,funky,artistic place. Everywhere you look, there is modern art. In the rooms, in the hallways, the ceilings, and the stairs themselves. The building has a rugged old time charm to it. For me it is simple and understated. It's not pretentious or glamorous per se, but it's unique and special. I know those of us who have stayed there more than a dozen times love the place and are loyal fans. Booking a room is easy and old school. You can send an email or call them. They remind you to call back a few weeks before your stay to confirm your stay. I have never had an issue with this. Nor have I ever had to had my credit card ran every single day. I paid for the room stay when I checked in and that was that. I've never experienced any issues in that regard. As for safety, while it is true that the individual room locks could probably use and upgrade, I think they do the job. I never felt unsafe there. The building is not accessible unless you have a key or are buzzed in. The people who stay there are mostly European tourists or college students. It's really ideal for the young and young at heart. People who stay there are usually friendly and cordial. There are many great places to eat nearby. Mike Due pizza next door is pretty good. There is a Pinkberry a block over. There are bars galore on 3rd Avenue ( Check out the Hairy Monk, The Rodeo for a few choices). You are also only a few blocks from the nearest subway and it's quite easy to hail a cab on 3rd Avenue. I realize everyone has different tastes and needs during a hotel stay. For me, Ye Olde Carlton Arms provides a really inexpensive stay with stunning visuals, cool people, and a great neighborhood. What more could you want in New York City?

I am writing this from the computer at the Carlton Arms. This hidden gem is located in the center of Manhattan, close to the Flatiron district. From the moment I stepped inside I was transported to another place, far away from the surrounding manufactured establishments, where old world charm meets artistic eccentricity. This is as much an art collective as it is a cheap place to stay. When I arrived I was given a choice of rooms to pick from, and each one had its own unique character. I chose the corner Illuminati room. There was no TV in the room, but I didn't even notice. There are two cats roaming around and one of them paid a visit to the room. Sure the place has its quirks, but show up with an open mind and you will be pleasantly surprised. Rooms midweek cost just marginally more than a hostel dorm. Best value in Manhattan. Also, the Chinese place downstairs has awesome food for a decent price. On second thought, you shouldn't stay here or tell your friends to stay here, so they can keep the prices down.

Why was there no mirror in my bathroom, and why was the rusty sink outside the bathroom? And the lone mirror wasn't even by that sink. And there were no ironing boards (not that easy to pack and bring with me to hotels but cheap and durable enough that every hotel should have one),and the irons were hard to get at the front desk and in rough shape. The art was certainly a nice touch, but it got cold at night, with no visible way to improve the heating. Everything felt dirty. I have stayed in cleaner looking Motel 6's and hostels, but conditions were better than most hostels- in that I got my own room, and I have stayed in a lot of both. I feel like I was lucky to have not been bitten by bed bugs nor encounter mice from the looks of the place- but thankfully neither happened. If you need a cheap place to stay in Manhattan, desire to see what 40 year old wall to wall hallway carpeting looks like, or think the internet runs too fast now adays and miss dial up speeds, this is your place, but just prepare yourself for conditions that are just a step up from camping. At least the location is amazing.

This is certainly not a 5 star hotel, but it isnt trying to be either. The Ye Olde Carlton Arms is a strange little establishment that certainly has "character". I wouldnt recommend it to everyone, but if you are looking for a cheap place to stay in the city, I dont think anyone can beat their prices. If you prefer the hostel type establishments, you have the option of booking rooms that do not include a bathroom in it. There are bathrooms and showers in the halls. However, if you want a slightly more traditional stay, you can book a room that does have a private bath. All of the rooms are decorated with unique murals. Some, well actually most of them, could be considered a bit on the risque side. None of the rooms have telephones or televisions or room service. In fact, aside from the bed, an alarm clock is about the only thing you will find in the room. For what it is, it is quite the little gem.

Ahhh..Ye Olde Carlton Arms Hotel. This place was perfect for the two-night mid-week stay that my boyfriend and I were looking for. We were able to hold down a private room with a private bathroom for $130. a night in a good location. Other hotels didn't even come close to this price. I must say, carrying my luggage up & down 4 flights of stairs was a bit of a disturbance because I always pack too much, and the AC was more like a fan- but Carlton Arms has a special charm to it. Perhaps it was the angels delicately painted on the walls of our room, or the dark mysterious bathroom. New York is such a large, diverse, eccentric city- why shouldn't your hotel room reflect the atmosphere you have come to see? Well Carlton Arms knows what's up, and I am happy to have found a diamond in the ruff- without breaking the bank.

I spent 4 nights at this hotel this summer, and I think... If the owners were a little more mindful of keeping this hotel CLEANER (and I really don't think it would cost them too much more to do so), it would be a much nicer place. I think they need better maids/room cleaners. The unclean feel of this hotel does nothing to add to it's character. It really seems like they do the least possible clean-up after a customer vacates a room. I think these folks are missing a good opportunity to present a very fabulous hotel. Two Suggestions: scrub the sinks. vacuum the edges of the carpet not just the easy to get places. Also, the beds were HORRIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE. Gasp! The artwork is fantastic and it is a VERY UNIQUE! The staff was mostly helpful and nice. They have an internet computer you can use, but there is often someone using it. They will have to do a lot of work on this place in order for me to go back there. Sorry

We were in the city for the day and decided to stay the night. Of course other hotels were over $300 a night. We came on yelp and found this great place. Room with private bathroom was only $145. Location was safe n great restaurants all around. We always stay here when we are watching our budget. Our room was painted with Gorillas...all the art work in hallways and around was really cool. Made us feel hip and trendy. Love love love this cheap fun hotel.

If you're looking to fit into the artsy feel that NYC has then this is your place. The feel is like a hostel, but it's a hotel that is very accommodating with booking, checking in/ out as well as paying ahead or before you check out. I even had my choice between two bedrooms that were available for the two nights I was going to be in town. I eagerly took both keys to check out the rooms and made my decision....clearly I wanted the dry humping Panda's painted next to the bed on the wall (CHECK!). I didn't get a room with a private bathroom, since it was only $80 (during high season, low is only $70), when you share it with others (I was on a budget), but I never had a problem trying to find a shower or bathroom when I needed it since you can use any of the 5-10 within the building that are shared on each floor. They provide clean sheets and towels in your bedroom along with soap but the rest of the stuff you'll need to pack or buy (which isn't a problem since there's SOOOOO many drug stores within the area that you can pick up stuff you may have forgot from home etc.). There's a great Bagel spot across the street to pick up any meal of the day you're looking for (it was perfect when you needed any type of food at a good price too). You're only a short walk from Union Square among other great finds, bars and restaurants. You're also directly next to a college so there's a fairly young feel to this section of town which is great too. I can't say enough about this place, I'll absolutely come back for my next stay,...what I'm really excited about is figuring out which designed room I'll stay in next time.....decisions....decisions.....

I so owe Daniel M for turning me on to this place when I was really in a bind for a place to stay. This week in New York was weirdly booked. I think it had something to do with that thing where the networks release their lineups and everyone comes in to buy advertising, but I can't remember what it is called. Anyway, the Carlton Arms. Well, basically, it is a flop house with a great paint job. Also, it is great. It is not new, but it is clean. The room we had (4B- see the photos) had a lot of legs and breasts in it, but it was really pretty well done, and we got used to it more quickly than I would think we would. Our bathroom was really teeny, but it was ours And, most importantly, when no one else had a room, they did and it wasn't crazy expensive. The location ("Curry Hill") is great. They are on 25th, just off Lex, and you can walk everywhere easily, which we did. Uptown, downtown and everywhere in between. There is fabulous S. Indian a couple of blocks away (check out my other review of Chennai Garden) and all mod cons- even if not en suite Not only will I recommend it, I'll go back Thanks again, Daniel!

No better value for a simple, safe and clean place to stay in Manhattan. I've had nothing but good experiences at the Carlton Arms the several times I've stayed here. There's nothing fancy about this place, but if you're busy seeing all the NYC has to offer chances are you just need somewhere to sleep.

The Artbreak Hotel was everything I thought it would be Everything was perfect, hip-artsy, and what I expected from new York... Only giving it a 4 because the bed was a little crunchy and I have a few bites on my arms and legs...bed bugs?

I'm giving this spot a 5 because its awesome and holds a special place in eccentrica NYC-thus is a place where a working class creative person could find refuge from the hostile world of the uber elite. When art prevails and High end fixtures is a thing of the future. Where a wall becomes a painting. Where a hallway becomes a stream of consciousness. Where your room becomes a capsule of the heart and mind. Begone W hotel! Welcome Carlton Arms! Oh-did I mention It's clean, friendly, and cheap.

This hotel is right next door NYU campus. It is one flight up a diner and you need to go on the side entrance to enter this hotel. It is a bit hidden I supposed but it's not like your ordinary hotel anyways. Upon entering this place, you see all painted murals on the walls and ceilings. Some were interesting but all were just a bit eerie for my tastes. I wouldn't call this a romantic place to take someone. The artwork was definitely artistic and reminded me of Surrealism and artworks like "Starry Night." I came here once before so I've had two different rooms here. The other time I came, I got the double bedroom. The double bedroom was a lot better because it comes with a bathroom and two beds (of course.) There was also a balcony so you can get an overview of the surrounding area. It's nothing spectacular and not much of a view but at least you get to peer outside to get a breeze. The room I got the second time around was a single bedroom on the top floor. I guess this is the floor where all the smaller rooms are. Now, when you ask for a small room, you will get a small room. I mean they give you a Small room. The room I got was literally the size of a closet. It only had a bed, a sink with a creaky faucet and no bathroom. If I wanted to use the bathroom, I would have to walk down the hallway and use the public bathroom. The room was only $80 a night so you get what you paid for. The bed were a bit soft. Maybe it's from overuse? ^^;; Whatever the case is, I could not find much comfort in their beds. The receptionist said that if I needed more bedsheets I can get some. I mean, what was he think? I didn't plan on staying here overnight. ^_^ To sum up the place, this hotel is definitely unique from the rest of the hotels in the metropolitan area. It definitely has an eerie feel. If that doesn't bother you, it should be fine. The best part is that it's a lot cheaper than the other more high end hotels of NYC. If you want something different and a bit grimy ^^, the Carlton Arms is not a bad option.

Great for the price. Every other hotel in the area had an extremely high price. Just needed somewhere to sleep and keep my things and this place did the job. Not the most up-to-date hotel, but it is quirky and interesting. It has more of a hostel feel, but everyone I ran into was nice and friendly. They give you actual keys to the building (not cards), and you have an option of having a private bathroom or just a room with access to a communal bathroom down the hall. The artwork in each room is unique, and there is even a room done by Banksy. If you're used to luxury hotels, then you will not like it here. But if you are looking for a cheap and safe place to stay then this will work.

The art on the walls is pretty cool. The shared bathrooms are so not cool. If you're looking for a grungy hostel-like experience, this is your place. Pros- Location, art, friendly people Cons- grimy, lots of stairs, shared crusty bathrooms

I stayed here for only a night when I took my boyfriend to Broadway for his birthday - it was EXACTLY what we needed. This place is so fuggin' cool. So so odd, but so cool. There is not one inch of wall or ceiling space that isn't covered with street-art-like mural. And weird vintage-y deco everywhere. So bizarre. Almost like a Disney ride... I requested a room with a private bathroom so we had more of a hotel-hostel experience. It was just excellent. Air conditioner in the window was so key, too. We had a couple friends come to our room with us to drink some beers and they were both so impressed, as were we. It was just a fun thing to do rather than paying for a stingy "real" hotel or a sleazy "we're so poor" hostel. Perfect intermediate for a special occasion, something fun to do, one-night kind of thing. I was very impressed. Obviously, I just wish it was cheaper...I ALSO wanted to explore and see more of the rooms!!

I had a worst experience to book a hotel in this location. We booked this hotel last Monday for a family location. That blonde Polish accent lady gave us two room keys to sleep in but won't gave us Policies and regulation information. I know I felt suspicious going on in this location. Since we made it up top of our room, someone just left the stuff in there without leaving a room. Even the toilet next door is dirty and disgusting. I'm very ashamed of them for disorganize services and unsafe rules of policy in hotel. Also, we smelled weed in one of these rooms, which they don't care to clean up. Even people are weirdos. And the stairs of handlebar are sticky. My thighs was hurt for next two days with my heavy load of backpack because their stairs are too steep and croak it. I recommend for everyone and especially for families not to go to this hotel. I rather let Gordon Ramsey take a look at this hotel and make an episode from "Hotel Hell". P.S. I'm not going to help these folks to make a better services or motivate them because they need to know better of running this hotel businesses.

I love this hotel. Some of the rooms' murals are a bit loud and overwhelming, but I've always been given the choice between a few different rooms upon arrival. The prices are more than fair, the staff is friendly, and the place is very clean. There are a couple of kitties living there, and one snuggled up in my bed with me every night of my stay. Also, the bagel joint across the street is awesome.

Ok first let me say that thos pla e isnt for everyone. I however love it. Each room has its own special "flare". Ive been staying here the last three times i have come for the BnB bowl. They have cats. So if you dont like kitties dont go. Lol. Im not gonna ruin the suprises bit if you are adventurous this is the spot. Dont be a.... And check it out.

OK, straight up, this was a fantastic place to stay in NYC. A friend of mine had told me about this place so when I knew I was going to NY, I checked out their various rooms online and knew exactly which rooms I wanted. I couldn't book the exact specific room i wanted beforehand, but when i showed up, they had two available rooms I could pick from and was delighted that I got the one I wanted. It's next to Baruch College. Corner of 3rd Avenue and 25th Avenue East. You're within walking distance of Union Station so many subway lines are right there. On 3rd avenue you can catch the M1, M2 or M3 buses which take you right up to the northern end of Manhattan if you want. In other words, for the price you pay, you simply cannot get a better deal for a location like this. My room was clean, the air conditioner worked perfectly, the bed was comfortable, the IKEA sheets were clean, no bed bugs (which truthfully was my biggest worry), I slept like a baby even in noisy mid-town Manhattan after days spent walking miles along long city blocks, meandering parks or epic museums. As for the shared bathrooms, I was very lucky I didn't experience any gross-out disasters which can be the case when you have shared bathrooms. Just be sure to bring your flip-flops from home for using the showers and you'll be fine. The two cats were happy just lounging around everywhere. The guys at the front desk were very helpful. One guy even lent me his foldable umbrella in case there was rain that day. I didn't see any sketchy people and there was free tea in the morning by the front desk. I'd stay here in a heartbeat again.

Went to NY to Propose to my GF. This ended up being the worst experiences of my life. Originally booked because I thought from the pictures it would be something different & unique with the different paintings of the rooms. I WAS WRONG. There was construction on the street. I called to verify it was the correct place. After about 6 tries, someone finally picked up. Sounded like we woke him up. He confirmed it was the street but was NO help in telling us where we could park. After 30 min we finally found parking. As soon as we walked up to the door, I thought to myself, what did I just get us into. Tons of cameras & one single door. We had to be buzzed in & as you walk in you get this eerie feeling that makes you want to turn around. The stairs make you feel like you may fall through. You get your key after talking to the guy that looks like he lives in the office. Room was up 3 flights of stairs & while walking up each flight, it just got more eerie. People laying in the hallways, smelled bad & they were trying to cover up & mask it with incense. Windows were missing & dropped right down to the street. The only thing keeping you back from falling out was a rusted rail. Our room door was dry rotting. Go into the room & felt like we were part of an episode of Supernatural. Lighting was creepy & lamp hanging off the table. Room atmosphere was warm, sticky & smelled musty & of mold. Throat already started itching & felt scratchy. AC unit turned on but no air blew out. Water dripping from pipes, bathtub dirty & sitting on rusted metal plates lifting it off the floor. Under, it looked to have gotten wet many times & started dry rotting & saw a roach in the bathroom. Under mattresses were metal spring rusted frames. You felt like bugs & fleas were crawling on you. We turned around & left. Knocked on office door & could hear him putting his pants on. Refused to refund our money & asked us just to leave. This is a place druggies & hookers go. STAY AWAY!