Darren Brown

Review of Affinia Shelburne Hotel

This was our third visit to the Shelburne over the...

This was our third visit to the Shelburne over the last 4 years. First time we stayed 6 nights, the second 10 and this time 4 (late May 2016). We have always stayed in a one bedroom which we find easily large enough for the family (my wife with our 2 kids ages 8 and 11). The kids take up the sofa bed in the lounge.

At each of our stays, the rooms have always been clean and well appointed. The one bedrooms that we have stayed in have always had a view of the Empire State which is a nice touch, particularly if you are a first time visitor to NYC. The roof bar is also a nice spot for a drink but with kids we have only had the opportunity to visit once.
The hotel is also in easy walking distance to Grand Central, Times Square, the Empire State etc. and only a block or so from our favourite breakfast stop in NYC (Scotty s Diner).

However, service is where the Shelburne shines through.

Perhaps the best way of communicating the exemplary level of service at the Shelburne is to tell you about the events of our last day. We had checked out and arranged for our luggage to be stored. Unfortunately, we do not travel light having a trolley full of luggage (about 15 items of varying sizes all told). Having spent a day sight-seeing, we returned to the Shelburne about 5pm. We arranged for our trolley to be brought out while the hotel s doorman hailed a large cab.

During the loading into the cab (and through no fault of the doorman) we left behind a small suitcase which we had pulled off the trolley in order to pack more things. We then proceeded to Penn Station blissfully unware that the bag had been left behind.

After a short 10 to 15 minute cab ride (it was peak hour) we were dropped off at Penn and we were arranging for a trolley to take our things down to the station still unware of the left behind bag. Just as we were about to move into the station we heard our names being called from the street and turned around to see Chiran from the Shelburne. Chiran, who was aware we were heading to Penn, had noticed we had left behind our bag, and had hopped in a car to drive to Penn to deliver it before we boarded our train.

So thanks to Chiran and the Shelburne for not only a nice place to stay when we are in NYC, but also for the proactive manner in which you saved us from leaving a bag behind. Chiran s quick thinking actions and service was certainly above and beyond what I would have expected.

We can t recommend the Shelburne highly enough.