Red Carpet Inn - Newark Irvington

Something’s different, and not in a good way. I’ve stayed at Nine Orchard three times over the last year. The aesthetics, the amenities, the adjacent Swan Room and Corner Bar are all worthy of HIGH praise. However, my most recent stay (12/14 - 12/16) was anything but praiseworthy. Upon arrival, the front desk manager was decidedly icy toward my wife and I. We were informed that because I didn’t book through AMEX Travel, I wouldn’t receive card member benefits (early check-in, late check-out, $100 dining credit and room upgrade when available). I’d booked directly with the hotel previously and received those benefits. The general manager stepped in and asked me to re-book my stay on the spot through AMEX Travel so that they could cancel the existing reservation. I obliged; I understood the desire to stick with hotel policy. Even after sorting that out though, there was lingering tension with the front desk manager, who seemed annoyed at our presence. Before wrapping things up at check-in, he begrudgingly upgraded us from studio queen to classic queen. I could see with seasonal demand, that may have been all they could do. I was upgraded to a terrace suite in late February and that was above and beyond what I was expecting. But again, there was an undercurrent with the front desk manager that stayed the duration of our stay. Every time we passed the front desk, he offered no greeting or acknowledgment. It made the marginal room upgrade seem personal because it was a marked difference from previous upgrades. I doubt we’ll stay at Nine Orchard again. Making guests feel unwelcome isn’t a hallmark of service, no matter how dreamy the interiors are.

The standard for 5 stars has really fallen in NYC. Nine Orchard is unfortunately no exception to the trend. ||The experience was ruined within an hour of arrival. For starters, we called ahead to ensure our early check in would be honored and the room available. We were told the room was unoccupied the night prior, and to come by the hotel anytime to check into the room. We arrived at 2pm (standard check in is 3pm), yet we were told our room wasn’t ready. ||We then checked in to our Supreme view king to find it looked NOTHING like the photos online. Our room did look identical to the studio king room photos and layouts. The supreme view king has a living room with a couch in every photo. The studio king does not. The hotel tried to convince me that I was indeed in a supreme view king room… but clearly it was a lie. Eventually they agreed to move me to the correct room (the next day). ||Poor check in process and some shady tactics with the rooms. Beware…. MAKE SURE TO CONFIRM THE EXACT ROOM LAYOUT AFTER BOOKING THEY WILL TRY TO SNAKE YOU

What a beautiful hotel, in a super spot - right in the thick of it in lower east side. Brooklyn is super accessible, and so many great bars and restaurants on your doorstep. The spec of the hotel and the design is some of the best we’ve ever seen - some real thought and money have been spent here! The only drawback we felt was the front desk staff were underwhelming given the quality and expense of the hotel, which was a slight let down. On check-in we were told certain things would be followed up on which never were. At similar priced hotels in NYC we’ve experienced much more helpful and friendly front desks. This is obviously pretty important when front desk are the first people you interact with when you walk in and also when you leave. That said we would definitely return for all the other great aspects.