The first time I stayed at the Standard (five year...

The first time I stayed at the Standard (five years back) I had an amazing time, and had since been recommending it to everyone who'd listen. My most recent visit was really sub-par - so I'm averaging out to a 3 (and stopping the recommendations).

What's still good - great location if you're working in the area. Rooms a reasonable size by NYC standards. Free (slow) WiFi. Rainfall showerhead. Good nose insulation from the corridor. Some of the rooms have amazing views.

What's changed - housekeeping are good, but the general maintenance on the rooms is bad. They're aging poorly and starting to look a bit shabby. The fan in our A/C had a loose bearing or something and sounded like a car that wouldn't start. Reception sent someone up to fix it after the first night but then it just started again midway through the next night and we gave up. It's a shame because the lower floor rooms are otherwise pretty quiet.

We were also in a tiny low room with no real view, no bath, a closet sized shower etc. My colleague, who booked the same room type and paid the same rate, was staying at the same time - got a high room on the river side with a full bath. When I asked front desk about a change (this is after the air conditioner issue) they said they had rooms free but would need to charge me hundreds of dollars per night. Which would be fine if I didn't have evidence other people on the same rate got upgraded just because they were checked in with different desk staff. Especially rough since we were staying seven nights.

All in all - this hotel has always been style over practicality. That's fine when everything has been executed meticulously, but when things start to age and break it just becomes unpleasant. I don't think I'll stay here again.