11 Howard

11 Howard, located in the vibrant SoHo neighborhood of New York City, is a Michelin Key Selected property known for its distinctive blend of Scandinavian design and a "conscious hospitality" approach. It generally garners positive feedback for its stylish ambiance and prime location, though some guests have noted areas for improvement in its luxury offering compared to its price point.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Overall, 11 Howard receives a "Good" rating from guests, with scores often around 7.4 out of 10 across various booking platforms. The sentiment is largely positive, highlighting a chic and tranquil design hotel that appeals to in-the-know travelers and the trend-savvy. Many appreciate its commitment to "conscious hospitality," which emphasizes creating comfort while offering elements of surprise and adventure. However, some guests feel it doesn't quite live up to a five-star luxury experience, suggesting it aims for an elevated boutique experience but sometimes falls short in execution.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise 11 Howard for several key aspects:

• Design: The hotel boasts cutting-edge Scandinavian minimalism blended with a New York edge. Its interiors, a collaboration between Anda Andrei Design and Space Copenhagen, feature custom furnishings, wide-plank light oak floors, and a notable art collection including works by Alexander Calder and Katie Yang. The design is intentionally timeless, aiming for durability rather than fleeting trends.
• Location: Its prime SoHo location, at the crossroads of the Bowery, Chinatown, and Little Italy, is a major draw, offering easy access to diverse shopping, dining, nightlife, and cultural attractions.
• Service: The staff is frequently described as friendly, helpful, attentive, and providing excellent customer service. They are noted for their energetic and casual, yet professional, demeanor, often offering fantastic local recommendations.
• Amenities: The hotel offers free WiFi, a stylish co-working space called The Library, a trendy cocktail bar known as The Blond, an acclaimed French restaurant, Le Coucou, and a wellness spa featuring an infrared sauna. Complimentary wine and a cool library space are also appreciated.

3. Room Quality

The 207 guest rooms and suites at 11 Howard feature a minimalist aesthetic with clean lines and comfortable furnishings. Guests typically find the rooms clean, with comfortable beds and high-quality linens, contributing to a good night's sleep. The design includes wide-plank light oak floors, handcrafted furniture, naturally dyed fabrics, and custom artwork. Most rooms benefit from 11-foot ceilings and oversized windows, providing abundant natural light and unexpected city views. Bathrooms are often described as luxurious, with stone benchtops and good lighting. In-room technology includes 48-inch flat-screen TVs and tablets for ordering room service or contacting the front desk. However, some guests have found standard rooms to be relatively small, particularly for double occupancy, and some reviews mention rooms needing a fresh coat of paint or showing signs of wear like scuffs and scratches.

4. Dining Experience

11 Howard offers a diverse dining and drinking experience:

• Le Coucou: This upscale French restaurant, envisioned in association with restaurateur Stephen Starr, has been awarded a Michelin star and is highly praised for its excellent cuisine for both breakfast and dinner.
• The Library: This comfortable and casual co-working space also serves breakfast and food/beverages into the evening. Complimentary coffee service is available daily in The Library.
• The Blond: A trendy and stylish cocktail bar that transitions into a lively nightclub later in the evenings, attracting a hip, fashionable crowd.
• Breakfast: While some experiences of breakfast in the library or through room service were positive, others have described the breakfast buffet as "subpar" or "just okay." Room service breakfast has been noted for its efficiency and presentation in carryout-style containers.

5. Service & Staff

The hotel's staff receives high marks for their hospitality. Guests frequently highlight their friendliness, attentiveness, and willingness to assist. The team is often described as young, energetic, and capable of providing excellent local recommendations. Check-in processes, including mobile check-in options, are generally quick and efficient. Overall, the service is characterized by a casual yet helpful and approachable manner.

6. Location & Accessibility

11 Howard boasts an excellent and central location in New York City's SoHo neighborhood, specifically at the corner of Howard and Lafayette Streets. This puts it within easy reach of the vibrant areas of Bowery, Chinatown, and Little Italy, offering a rich tapestry of design, fashion, food, music, and art. The hotel is conveniently close to multiple subway stations on Canal Street (6, J, N, Q, R, W, Z lines), providing quick access to major attractions like the 9/11 Memorial, One World Trade Center, and Times Square. LaGuardia Airport is approximately a 20-minute drive away.

7. Value & Pricing

Pricing at 11 Howard is generally considered to be on the higher end for New York City, with an average price per room around $507. While guests appreciate the hotel's style and location, some reviews indicate that it can be overpriced for the perceived quality, especially concerning room size. There is a mandatory daily destination/facilities fee. January is typically the cheapest month to stay, with an average weeknight price of $364, while December is the most expensive, averaging $433 for a weekend night.

8. Common Complaints

Several recurring criticisms appear in guest reviews:

• Lack of In-Room Amenities: A notable complaint is the absence of in-room coffee makers.
• Gym Facilities: The on-site gym is often described as minimal, sometimes as small guest rooms converted into fitness spaces with limited equipment.
• In-Room Entertainment: Some guests have found the in-room entertainment systems dated, lacking streaming services or the ability to connect personal devices.
• Pillow Quality: A few reviews specifically mention the pillows as being of "terrible quality."
• Room Maintenance: Despite the overall cleanliness, some older reviews mention rooms needing better maintenance, with scuffs, scratches, or water stains on walls and ceilings.
• Hotel Bar Policy: There have been instances where The Blond bar prioritized velvet ropes and guest lists, potentially making it less accessible for hotel guests.
• Breakfast Quality: While Le Coucou is highly rated, the general breakfast buffet has sometimes been described as "subpar."
• Additional Costs: Guests note the steep daily amenities fee and that access to the infrared sauna is not free.
• Environmental Concerns: The use of disposable cups in the minibar and bathroom, as well as single-use toiletries, has been a point of disappointment for some environmentally conscious guests.

Sources

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