Hotel QT

This Place is now called RoomMate by Grace hotels… but it pretty much is the same hotel under new management.
When I went it was still QT and amazing. I mean amazing. Check in was a breeze, with it’s crazy little magazine stand, and amazingly helpful staff. The room was quite spacious, it was on the last few floors of the hotel, with a large comfy memory foam mattress, free wifi! A large wet bathroom. No tub, but a great exhibitionist shower… it had a large large large window that faced an office building. I had no idea if the windows were tinted or not, but that didn’t stop me from getting as clean as possible, as many times as possible. The rest of the hotel was classy, and each night they seemed to have large parties at the pool/​bar. Cool.
I had just gotten back from Providence and I was pretty pumped after just visiting grad schools, so I wanted to go to the gym. I walked down to the front desk and asked them for the nearest Bally’s gym, they called the closest one and made sure I would be able to workout there (East coast has different class systems of gyms) and gave me a map. Upon my return the GM was in the elevator and we started to chop it up because he heard my salsa music blasting from my ipod headphones. A few minutes after I got to my room, the GM knocked on my door and handed me gift basket! WORD! It was full of sports drinks, sport snacks, and some other great goodies for the rest of my stay.
That night, when I stepped off the elevator, I was greeted by the GM and a bell person, they asked how I was doing and what I was planning on doing. When I told them of the dinner I had to go to, they quickly arrange for a driver to take me there FREE OF CHARGE! Did they think I was someone importnat? That i was some weird pseudo celebrity? I have no Idea, but I liked the weird attention.
The last day, I had called down stairs and let them know I would need to stay a bit longer than the scheduled check out because my flight didn’t leave until three, and check out was at 12. They had no problem what so ever, and asked if they could arrange for a driver to take me to the air port. I said hell yeah, and at 2 o’clock they had a car waiting for me. I was greeted yet again by the GM and another Woman and they had some people help with my bags and said they looked forward to my return…
Seriously, the coolest hotel stay ever!

One of my earliest memories consisted of fighting with my brother over who gets to sleep on the cute top bunk in a tiny Brussel hotel. Of course he won, so one can only understand my delight when I walked into the room of Hotel QT and found that I had no contender for the bunk.
Within minutes, I climbed up the swimming pool ladder and was perched up there with my laptop on and connected to the outside world, thanks to the courtesy wi-​fi.
If the small room, modest décor, plastic cups, straight-​backed chair and small café table is representative of life in Manhattan, then I am glad that I do not live there. However, for a short visit and a first bite of the Big Apple, the hotel has everything that I need in just the right amount.
And while I am not a believer of breakfast, I believe a lot of the potential patrons would have appreciated the free continental breakfast daily.

After six months of pressure to stay cheaper when working in NYC, I started looking around for options besides my beloved W. When a colleague tried the QT and told me that it was way too cool for him, I knew I would love it.
Check-​in is a strange hotel meets 7 – 11 meets Make Me a Supermodel experience. The staff, despite being extremely good looking, was very welcoming and friendly. It takes a second to get used to the smell of chlorine in the lobby, but the coolness of it all makes up for that. It is a fairly small property that makes great use of all their available space.
The rooms appear small, but since the beds are pushed into the corner, there is more floor space than you’ll find in other cool, funky New York hotels. The bed is amazingly comfortable, and rivals that of the W or Westin Heavenly bed. Unfortunately I had to skip the complimentary breakfast, but it looked like a popular morning activity, so I’ll definitely make use of that feature next time. My only complaint is that the LCD doesn’t swivel, so it can really only be seen from the bed.

I did not pay for it, so this might not be objective.
Construction site right next door is a problem, but hell, it is NYC.
Continental breakfast every morning was fantastic! Thank God, because this place is not cheap.
Room: Super small but cute and modern. But I was all by myself, so it was perfect.
Bed: Fucking AWESOME! The best mattress of any hotel I have ever stayed at.
Shower: Where the fuck are the towel racks? Oh, please!
People: Super Nice!
Pool in the middle of the lobby: Creepy!
Bar: I didn’t even dare…
Gym: no time… too busy eating!

After work on Thurs. Hotel QT, shhh don’t tell anyone. But after stressing out all week what better way to take some steam off than to jump into a pool in the middle of a decently appointed bar?
Hotel QT is in the worst location in terms of tourist traffic (although you won’t find any tourists inside the bar /​pool) and I can’t review the hotel itself or the rooms. I do agree that the drink prices were a little on the high-​end but then again, you don’t usually get to jump into a pool in the middle of the city and expect to not pay a premium for it. There is a swim up ‘window’ so that you can get a drink while your in the pool — now if we could get the Vegas promoters from Ditch Fridays to promote ‘thirsty Thursdays we’d be straight.
There is one or two steam rooms as well — but if your suited up, be prepared to undress if you are in the back room because damnit if the thermostat didn’t read 93 degrees??? Of course it did — the entire back room is made of the same materials as the indoor saunas so the moisture is locked in.
Not a bad spot for a Thursday night happy hour selection. The door guy was even thankful when we poured out saying «come back again next week, and bring more people.» Pretty funny hearing that in a strong Haitian accent — but he was cool.

A generous four stars
NOW CALLED HOTEL GRACE
The Hotel QT is more than an acceptable place to stay.
PROS:
–Reasonable price when compared to other boutique hotels
–Knowledgeable, friendly, hip staff
–Complimentary Continental Breakfast
–Close proximity to several subway stops (this is the most important thing when choosing a hotel in NYC)
–Very clean and chic rooms
–Very comfortable beds
–Original and unique layout
–Bring your ipod… the dock comes in very handy.
–pool is very cool… great if you are an exhibitionist!
CONS:
–I cant stand Times Square…(thank god for the subway)
–Very small room…(welcome to the world of boutique hotels in NY)
All in all, I’d stay there again — if the price is right.
It’s not the Four Seasons but its a cool alternative.

Granted I’ve never stayed here I imagine the rooms should be decent and I’ve seen the prices for this place which is not terrible for its midtown location. Instead, I came to the downstairs bar /​lounge where the drinks were overpriced, it was stuffy crowded, and hard to find a seat. Thank goodness my group and I found an area where we could sit down to enjoy our $ 13 cocktails the size of a fist. It was a bit disappointing the bartenders were too absorbed in their own thing to help people who were trying to get their attention. The bouncers were nice, but forceful as they wanted to control the incoming and outgoing hordes of people.
Next to the bar is an indoor pool where guests of the hotel can attempt to have their own version of beach fun a la Cancun style. The water is only waist deep so there is no swimming here. There were a lot of beautiful people all over the place and the pool does look like a lot of fun. Maybe one of these days I’ll be able to waddle in the pool like the rest of the cool crowd.

Its a great boutique hotel. Rooms start about $ 250 but include 24 hour access to the pool located right at the lobby level as you walk in.
During the summer months they host «Agua» a Brazilian party with live music and no cover. Drinks are a little pricey (starting at $ 15+). There is a front desk kiosk where you can buy all kinds of good stuff: beers, wine, champagne, magazines, candy, disposable swim wear for women (no, really), etc.
Great location because your right in the the Theater District and Times Square.
In terms of the Hotel itself, not too bad.
For no reason given, and none asked really, I was upgraded to a larger room. The larger room has small in size but I have seen smaller rooms in luxury hotels costing twice as much so it wasn’t bad.
The bed was well designed, almost lofted slightly so you can store your luggage underneath. Small flat screen tv right in from of the bed and the best bed sheets ever.
Swim up bar and sauna also available.
What more can you ask for?

I had two experiences at Hotel QT. I should describe it before I go into some detail.
Hotel QT is this chic modern hotel with low lighting and an awesome bar area that has a swimming pool attached. Well, not really attached. They share a wall and the wall has a window where pool participants can wander over and order a drink at the bar. A NOVELTY BAR! I love novelty. When you first walk in, you see this swimming pool (surrounded by glass which is good because you don’t have to worry about random people grabbing your stuff). You pass the swimming pool area and enter the bar area. You continue walking through and enter the glass-​encased swimming pool area. You are given a couple of options: 1) Get in the pool or 2) Go get in the sauna.
The first time we went to Hotel QT and had a blast; such a good time. I walked into the pool area, stripped off my pants and got in the water. I couldn’t believe how novel it was. The service was spectacular and everyone was so nice. They were playing excellent music as well. The pool was heated to the perfect temperature. We had 3 drinks each and then was asked politely to leave (the pool closes at 12-​ish to the public and remains open to the guests of the hotel all night long).
The second time was slightly different. Well, not slightly, more like the exact opposite of what I mentioned above. We got there, waded in the water. The music was weirdly placed. The DJ was out ‘n about and rarely came to do his job. The people at the bar (the same people from the previous night) were ignoring us. They didn’t even notice us in the pool. Also, the water was frigid. I had no idea what has happening. So we packed up and left all miffed that we didn’t get to have a good night like the previous night.
So, averaging out the 5 star experience and the 1 star experience you could reckon I’d be giving it a 3. Well, no I’m not. I’m actually giving it a 4 because I’m totally and easily swayed by novelty places such as this. So my bias helps Hotel QT earn a 4. Yay!

It’s a very cute place. I didn’t stay here, but a few of my friends did. I checked out their rooms, and they were compact, but modern. I’ve seen a single room and the room w/​bunk beds. It’s certainly not a romantic place, but a great business traveler’s hotel. My friends have had no complaints, and continue to stay here when they’re in town. However, I’m really only qualified to speak about the bar/​pool area.
There are two areas. You can either be in the pool, and order from the bar while in the pool, or enter the lounge, and have drinks there. I never got in the pool, as the sign said it was something like 3 feet deep (bathtub?) but I did head into the lounge area w/​our group to enjoy the DJ’s set, and some drinks of course.
This is probably worth mentioning. Even if you’re a guest at the hotel, no outside drinks are allowed in the pool area. They will confiscate them w/​fair warning, but we managed to be discreet & avoid the wrath of the spirit police. Overall great place, they just lose a star for location.

QT is, without doubt, the coolest (and most fun) hotel I’ve ever stayed in. The other reviews pretty much say it all, really. The décor (and lighting) is modern, sleek, and absolutely stunning. The pool, with its poolside bar, is not only novel but also super cool. The staff is incredibly friendly. The beds are ridiculously comfortable. The kiosk/​front desk has a fabulous selection of snack foods, drinks, and candy with which to stock your minibar exactly the way you want. Even the continental breakfast is delicious. Really, I can’t stress enough how literally every part of this hotel exceeded my expectations. If I were to imagine the perfect hotel, it would look exactly like QT.
As mentioned in another review, it really is a good idea to book your room through Expedia. I was able to get the next larger size room (E instead of F) for the same price by booking with Expedia rather than through QT directly. In addition, I booked my room in the morning for that night with no trouble; as Aaron F. wrote, one of the best parts about QT is the fact that nobody seems to know about it. While this might bother you if you want company in the steam room on a Sunday morning, I found the solitude in the middle of New York City surprising and refreshing.
I’ll admit that the price seemed a bit daunting to me at first blush, given my college student’s budget. However, I can without reservation say that this was the best $ 210 (on a weekend in summer) I have EVER spent on vacation, far and away worth every penny.
A word of warning: Make sure you leave by the (reasonable) noon checkout time, or else you’ll be charged a half day’s fee for an hour-​long extension.
Incidentally, the man who designed and owns QT was also responsible for my favorite Los Angeles hotel, the Standard. I have yet to stay there, but it’s next on my list. After my experience at QT, I can’t wait. :)

CLOSED?!? You mean you didn’t make money off the people that showed up already drunk to strip off their clothes and swim? You mean people didn’t want to buy drinks that were going to be filled with splashed water? You mean nobody stayed in a hotel nobody had heard of, that wasn’t listed on the major hotel booking sites?
Ah well, it was great while it lasted.
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A swimming pool bar in the middle of times square? And nobody knows about it? I’m hesitant to post this review, as the secret of QT is the best part. You walk right in, and if you’re like most people who just end up here randomly, strip down to your underwear and jump in the water. Swim right up to the bar. Take a steam. It’s all quite surreal.
Never stayed at the hotel — but hands down one of the best drinking experiences in the city. This coming from someone who really doesn’t enjoy drinking establishments.

Definitely off the beaten track for me, but this place is worth the trek!
I showed up late to a birthday party, but the pool in the lobby is one of the funnest parties around — everyone strips down to their skivvies and takes a dip! With a swm up pool bar and complimentary towels, it truly doesn’t get any better (aside from the also free sauna & shower!). Want to lounge poolside in mid February? Head to QT! Very chic décor, full service bar, lots of fun — different parties different nights of the week!

Modern clean hotel. Small rooms, but nice. Don’t pack heavy if you are staying here. beware if you are here during st. pats or scottish events, as the bagpipes hang out in the Three Irish pubs downstairs.
There is a great bar with a pool and swim-​up bar. There is also a second story to the bar for hanging out in. the front desk doubles as a small newstand

This place has a pool. At midtown.
I have to admit that when my friends and I were invited to this place, we didn’t think there would actually be any swimming. But oh yes. Bring your suit.
And don’t worry, there’s a swim-​up bar. You can quench your thirst without drying off. And the drink prices were less than I expected from a place that has a pool.
Who thought you could swim and drink in January in Manhattan? Well, it’s possible.
(I should mention that I only visited the pool and bar and did not stay at Hotel QT.)

This place gets five stars because I have the same initials and I am a narcissist.
Oh, I haven’t stayed here but I did work with their promo people, and they were fantastic about donating a few nights at this hotel for a nonprofit auction. The money we got from this auction went to services for domestic violence survivors, and anyone who helped with that effort is great in my book.
So, um… go because 1) Balazs’ promo people work charity, and 2) because you’ll get to sleep in QT, which is almost like me, but isn’t. Yeah.

Should I be ashamed that at this age bunk beds are still a tempting novelty? They are rather space efficient too. Slightly disappointing that we got a single queen instead of a king and twin elevated above, but I’m fairly certain my mom wouldn’t have appreciated being literally on top of the bf and me.
Rooms with flat screened tvs, iPod docking clocks, a separate toilet area with a door and a bar accessible by pool absolutely exceed the amenties I demand. Relative to NYC the size of the lodgings are standard, décor is utilitarian and minimal. Things needn’t be complicated or complex.
My only gripe is that although they had a ostensibly fancy espresso machine at our free continental breakfast, a lovely sauna, an array of cable channels and movies, and a pool-​bar combo, my mochachino was watery, sauna was cool, tv was fuzzy and drink outside the pool was in a plastic highball, on NYE.
If it wasn’t trying so hard to be modern, tawdry would come to mind. Balazs should stop banging Uma Thurman for a minute and demand they repair some stuff. Oh, and speaking of bedding, they’re damn comfortable.

I haven’t stayed at the hotel, but I’ve been to the bar. I like the idea of the pool and the bar being accessible. I’m surprised it hasn’t resulted in more doom, but it’s certainly fun to watch my friends horse about drunkenly in water.
There is a skeevy factor, of course, as older men stare through the glass at the frolicking ladies.

I have to echo most of Nish’s sentiments. For $ 215-​$ 230 a night it was a fun and unique place to stay. The bar area was somewhat small, but I thought it was quite the novelty to have a pool, sauna, and steam room attached.
The hotel property is clearly aged, but cleaned up, in the same way an Ian Schrager gives his places an art-​deco facelift. My room was small, but had a comfortable king sized platform bed.
For my stay in NYC it worked out well. I did have a run in with the front desk around checkout time. Although I had already arranged the previous night for a late 2pm checkout, the agent denied that was possible and said I’d be charged for it. I ended up checking out earlier, but I didn’t appreciate the attitude. Annoying, but only one little snafu…

I had the opportunity to stay at the very cute Hotel QT this past weekend when I was visit NYC for our first Unilocal Elite event. It’s considered a boutique hotel, but on a budget, and for Manhattan that means about $ 200 a night.
I found all of the staff to be really friendly and attentive, everyone from the bartenders to the cleaning staff to the front desk and manager. My room, while a little small, had a very comfortable king size bed, and enough room to relax a little (but New York isn’t about staying in your room, another reason I didn’t feel the need to have a sprawling suite!).
Of course the big attraction here is the bar, of which the highlight is a small swimming pool that literally connects to one side of the bar, so you can literally drink and swim. As you can imagine, inhibitions get looser as the night unfolds, and you get to see people in various states of undress; the hotel also sells disposable bathing suits, now that’s sexy!
I’m actually really surprised by the poor reviews of this hotel — as a relatively inexpensive NYC hotel option (granted a little minimalistic on ammenities), I don’t think I could ask for much more.