The Blake Hotel

The Blake Hotel, New Haven: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

The Blake Hotel in New Haven, a Michelin Key Selected property, generally receives high praise for its sophisticated design, exceptional service, and prime location, making it a standout choice for travelers seeking a luxurious and comfortable stay in the heart of the city. Guests frequently highlight the hotel's modern amenities and attentive staff as key elements of their positive experiences.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for The Blake Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "wonderful," "exceptional," and "sleek and warm." On a 20-point scale used by MICHELIN Guide guests, the hotel scores highly with a 19.4 for overall experience, 19.5 for rooms and services, and 19.0 for public spaces. Booking.com reviews also show an excellent aggregated score of 8.8, with high marks for cleanliness (9.5), comfort (9.4), and location (9.4).

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of The Blake Hotel:

• Service & Staff: The staff is frequently described as "incredibly helpful and friendly," "exceptionally helpful," and going "above and beyond" to make guests feel welcome and appreciated. The morning coffee service delivered to rooms is a particularly appreciated touch.
• Location: Its central location, just one block off College Street and adjacent to the Yale University campus, is a major draw, allowing easy walking access to Yale, local attractions, and numerous restaurants.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's aesthetic is consistently praised for its modern yet cozy feel, blending classic and industrial design elements with contrasting textures and interesting details. The lobby is noted as a "vast gathering space" with a fireplace, velvet couches, and armchairs, creating a lively and comfortable atmosphere.
• Amenities: Key amenities that guests love include the well-equipped fitness center, the convenient kitchenettes in rooms, and the rooftop restaurant and bar, High George, offering skyline views.

3. Room Quality

Rooms at The Blake Hotel are consistently described as "perfect," "beautiful, clean, with large and comfortable rooms that were very well equipped," and "attractive, well-appointed." They meld classic and industrial design, featuring warm oak floorboards, black slate, and white marble in oversized bathrooms with glossy subway tile and black fixtures with brass touches. Many rooms include kitchenettes with good dishes, glassware, and Nespresso machines, making them suitable for both short and extended stays. Comfort is a priority, with cushy king beds and crisp white duvets. Guests also appreciate the smart TVs and Malin and Goetz products. Some rooms are noted for having ample space to relax.

4. Dining Experience

The Blake Hotel offers a notable dining experience with its on-site restaurants. Siena Ristorante provides modern Italian cuisine with scratch-made pasta, antipasti, and entrees, complemented by a curated cocktail menu and extensive wine list. The rooftop restaurant and bar, High George by Siena, is a particular highlight, offering seasonal cuisine, hand-crafted beverages, and panoramic skyline views, making it a popular spot for drinks and dinner. Reviewers have praised the restaurant's cocktails and food as "very good."

However, a common point of feedback is the lack of a full, sit-down breakfast service included with the stay. While free coffee is available in the morning, and an espresso cafe offers breakfast pastries, guests often wish for more substantial breakfast options on-site. Some guests mentioned having to walk to nearby cafes for breakfast.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Blake Hotel is consistently lauded as "impeccable" and "highly personalized." Guests frequently commend the staff for being "friendly and accommodating," "incredibly helpful," and having a "great attitude and efficient." Instances of staff going above and beyond, such as a server returning a forgotten glove to a guest's room, are highlighted. The focus on genuine hospitality and making guests feel welcome and appreciated is a recurring theme in reviews.

6. Location & Accessibility

Strategically located at 9 High Street, The Blake Hotel boasts an excellent location in downtown New Haven. It is "just one block off the main street (College St) on campus," making it an ideal choice for visitors to Yale University, which is a mere 5-minute walk away. The hotel is also conveniently close to major attractions like the Shubert Theater and College Street Music Hall, as well as numerous popular restaurants. Guests appreciate the walkability of the area, allowing easy access to museums, theaters, and Yale architecture. For transport, it's about 3.7 miles from Tweed-New Haven Airport.

7. Value & Pricing

While guests generally appreciate the quality of the stay, some reviews indicate that The Blake Hotel can be "a little on the expensive side," especially during the off-season or considering the lack of complimentary breakfast. Valet parking is available but noted as being "a bit expensive" at around USD 28-33 per day. Despite these points, many guests still feel it offers "fantastic value for money" given its prime location, new facilities, generous rooms, and overall quality, particularly in comparison to industry standards. The hotel is recognized for its upscale offerings, catering to a more sophisticated traveler.

8. Common Complaints

While feedback is largely positive, a few recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:

• Lack of Complimentary Breakfast: The most consistent complaint is the absence of a full, complimentary breakfast, with guests often needing to seek options outside the hotel. While free coffee is offered, charging for items like a banana or apple is seen as "petty" given the hotel's price point.
• Noisy AC/Heat: Some guests have reported that the room's AC/heating unit can be quite noisy, potentially disrupting sleep.
• Parking Costs: The cost of valet parking (approximately USD 28-33 per night) is sometimes mentioned as expensive, though alternative parking garages are available nearby.
• Inconsistent Staff Experiences: While most staff receive high praise, there was one instance of a negative interaction with a staff member regarding hospitality, which was addressed by management. Some Reddit users also reported "insane experiences" and "shitshows" with management and lost reservations in the past, though these appear to be less frequent in recent reviews.

Sources

1. tablethotels.com
2. booking.com
3. booking.com
4. michelin.com
5. the-e-list.com
6. travelweekly.com
7. reddit.com
8. hotels.com
9. theknot.com
10. theblakenewhaven.com
11. theblakenewhaven.com
12. domino.com