Robin_Knowles
Google
I began using the Kimpton Theta, Manhattan last year, having transferred my allegiance from Crowne Plaza, Times Square after it deteriorated beyond all recognition and was eventually sold off. The Kimpton Theta is well located on 8th Avenue, fairly close to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and also very close to the 50th Street train subway station. This makes it very convenient to get from Newark or JFK airports.||During last year’s visit I did have quite a significant issue at the hotel and was invited to contact the management ahead of my next visit so that restitution might be made. This I did. Unfortunately, General Manager, Mark Pendaleon, did not come back to me after two attempts to reach out to him. At check-in, I discussed the issue with the duty manager, who was very helpful and supportive and who made things right to my satisfaction.||I purposely reserved one of the better rooms on the highest floor and I noticed that other guests had commented negatively that, on occasion, rooms had simply faced a wall or scaffolding and I indeed found myself in that position. I returned to reception and explained that I was not happy with this aspect of my room, but that the room itself was quite acceptable. My concern was well received and I was transferred immediately to a room that had the view that I anticipated.||Room 1523 was really quite spacious and had a calm, airy feel to it. It was bright and modern and looked out towards 8th Avenue and some of the high-rise buildings in the area. This is what I was expecting and what I had experienced on my first visit. The large king-size bed was very comfortable and had a very soft mattress topper. The air-conditioning was superbly effective and I was able to maintain the room at a very comfortable temperature throughout my stay. There was very little street noise and whilst the hotel is located close to a fire engine depot, any noise from that wasn’t particularly intrusive and totally outside the hotel’s control. The room came with a bathroom which, in spite of its modest size, was perfectly adequate and which was very bright and modern. There were ample toiletries, clean towels, and bathrobes. The room benefited from a safe, and two bottles of water, which could be replenished from a dispenser in the corridor, which also had ice.||My room was maintained to a good standard and the maid was efficient and very friendly. The staff member impressing me the most was called Rowland and his main function was one of doorman. Roland stood out head and shoulders above the other staff and was very interactive and friendly. He really was a delight to deal with.||Since my last visit, a restaurant and bar has been built onto the roof, and this provided a calming and pleasant atmosphere. The style was more like a cafe and it was quite adequate and the staff were welcoming. The food at breakfast was very simple and rather limited and, whilst adequate, did not deliver to the Kimpton standard. It was more comparable to that found in a Holiday Inn Express. Unless a guest was diamond elite, which qualifies them for a complimentary breakfast, the price of the breakfast offering was extortionate.||In common with the brand, the hotel operates a social hour each evening, but again, this falls significantly short of other Kimpton hotels around the world, with only wine and water being offered. A soft drink option would be desirable and most Kimpton hotels worldwide offer this plus simple nibbles such as crisps or peanuts.||Reception staff were not always friendly and helpful and my request for a late checkout late out was resisted with a request that I call at 08:00 on check out day but that “granting this would be unlikely”. I was made to feel “fobbed off”. I did call down the next morning at 08:15 however the phones went unanswered, meaning that I needed to dress and go down to reception in person. There were no guests at reception and the single receptionist was engaged in social banter with the adjacent shop assistant. The non-answering of the phones was very poor customer service indeed. Whilst I was granted a 1-hour extension to my check out time, I felt that I was made to jump through hoops to get this and I did not feel valued as a Platinum Elite status holder of IHG 1.||The location of the hotel is its main selling point, plus the room was comfortable. Staff commitment to service excellence was fairly lacking all the way through the line structure and this reviewer feels that this lets down the hotel and the Kimpton brand quite significantly. IHG needs to be aware that the inclusion of the “Destination Fee” is incredibly unpopular with guests and is viewed solely as being a way of lowering the headline room rate and then adding more later in a more covert way. It mirrors the “Resort Fee” in places like Las Vegas and offers very little of value to the guest.||On checking out I found the bell boy to be very helpful and friendly and he made a positive final impression with me.