Aloft Manhattan Downtown - Financial District

The hotel was absolutely perfect for my stay. For one person about to be zipping around the city for two weeks, it was great. The location despite being away from a lot of the city's central attractions, is fantastic. Just a few steps and a couple of zig-zags around the corner is the big, high-tech Fulton Street transit terminal, where a lot of the city's major lines meet. Because so many major lines converge there - and at the nearby World Trade Center site, which is connected and climate-controlled to Fulton - you can zip northward to almost anywhere in Manhattan in minutes. Brooklyn is close via transit and ferry to the hotel, as well. The area around the hotel was both new, old and appealingly lively. People were busy going to and fro on the streets at all hours, adding to a feeling of safety. The narrow streets and building canyons give a dramatic effect to just walking around. Shops and amenities are everywhere. The hotel itself is almost hidden down Ann Street, which is very narrow. Every cab I took there, though, knew exactly where to go. The World Trade Center site is just down the street, and the Woolworth Building and City Hall etc., are just around the corner, so orienting yourself isn't difficult. Coming in, the hotel itself was somewhat functional-basic in decor, but in decent shape. The staff were fantastic during my whole stay - friendly, courteous, efficient and knowledgeable. Check in and check out were effortless. There is someone on the door 24-hours, which is great for a city that never sleeps, and where you might want that extra bit of security. From the lobby through the elevator to my room's door, there were a lot of worn and chipped surfaces on things. Some decor in the halls and such might benefit from a refresh. Nothing bad, but evidence of wear and tear. Happily, my room was super-clean, extremely comfy, cozy and had a great view across nearby rooftops. I loved my room. The bed and pillows were extremely comfortable. I slept well. This was January, and the room stayed warm. There was no bathtub, which was no problem. The shower gave a solid stream of consistent hot water, and the whole bathroom area was in great shape. The rooms are not large, and most of the side furniture - cupboards, closets, a desk, the bathroom, are practically built into the walls - with not much room left around the bed. The bed, however, was much larger than expected, which was great. The room was perfect for me, one person. If there were two in it, I could see it might seem a bit confining. All in all, I had a wonderful stay. Thanks, Marriott.