The Shelburne Sonesta New York

“An absolute hidden gem 💎 with an amazing staff!”

My daughter & I have been staying at Sonesta for 3 weeks as my daughter had surgery and was required to stay local in NYC during the beginning of her recovery. I cannot begin to describe how blessed we’ve been to be staying at the Sonesta. First, and most important reason is their amazing staff. … more

My daughter & I have been staying at Sonesta for 3 weeks as my daughter had surgery and was required to stay local in NYC during the beginning of her recovery. I cannot begin to describe how blessed we’ve been to be staying at the Sonesta. First, and most important reason is their amazing staff. To a person, everyone has been incredibly kind and helpful. We’ve interacted with nearly every single staff person throughout our extended stay here, from front desk package pickups (and there were a lot!) to the laundry staff in the basement so helpful as I did multiple loads of laundry dry. To a person, everyone goes out of their way to assist. Having done laundry, I discovered the ice machine in the laundry room so I would take my ice bucket to the basement to get our ice. Every time I did this and a staff member was in the elevator with me, they always said, “Just call the front desk and we will bring that to you.” I explained that since I discovered where it was, I am happy to get it for myself. So kind. But I must point out to front desk staff that provided outstanding service to us, Carolyn and Louis. From the moment we checked in, they took such amazing care of every need we had. They always greeted with a smile and a check in on how we were doing. They are true delights and shining examples of what excellence in hospitality is. And I can’t express enough how much my daughter & I needed that level of care. We will always remain truly grateful and appreciative of both of them. They are truly rock ⭐️ stars! The housekeeping staff attentively took care of us every day, which was so needed - and a stand out since many other hotel chains do on-demand servicing or every other day. We consistently gave $20 daily tips because they changed all linens and cleaned and this staff works hard! Keep that in mind the next time you stay here or anywhere! Room We had a room with two double beds and a kitchenette. We had a Viking combo microwave/oven which helped me prepare meals. The Cuisinart coffee maker was in steady use making coffee and tea throughout day and evening. We were very pleasantly surprised at how big the room was. Definitely one of biggest hotel rooms we’ve ever stayed in. And we ended up falling in love with the Murray Hill neighborhood. It’s mostly residential so my daughter and I described it as giving a suburb feeling within the city. You are within walking distance of the Empire State Building and Grand Central. Some of our local faves within walking distance. Lucid Organic Cafe - right next door. Delicious coffee, teas and small bites. Le Pain Quotidien - delicious soups, sandwiches, salads and breads. Previti Pizza The Junction - amazing Irish bar with delicious French onion soup, shepherd’s pie, potato & lean soup plus veggie burgers. La Botaniste restaurant nearby (666 Third Ave) - vegan 🌱 Arthur & Sons. Nice Italian place but be warned - VERY expensive. It’s definitely worth a walk to nearby Grand Central. Not only is it an iconic NYC landmark (take in the beautiful architecture of the building), but it’s filled with amazing stores and an overflowing lower level food emporium. Every cuisine you could want is on the lower level. Our fave - Van Lluewen ice cream - delicious regular and vegan flavors. Best of all is the incredible restaurant in the lobby called Take Care, and they absolutely did just that. This became our second kitchen. They have delicious hummus, soups, salads. Pork cutlet, wings, veggie burger. Pretty sure we are their entire menu during the course of our stay. They also do breakfast and brunch plus will deliver right to your room! It’s a pretty restaurant at night with table lamps, great food and vibe. This is a 10 star ⭐️ Rating! We couldn’t recommend the Sonesta hotel more! When I was researching I saw reviews talking about its need for a refresh. Yes, it’s not a modern boutique hotel so if that’s what you’re looking for, you will likely be disappointed. But if you want a quality, clean room in a bit less crowded area with a larger than normal room size and an amazing staff to take care of all your needs - do yourself a favor and stay here!

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