The Good: Given prices in Manhattan, I think the rates at Envoy Club are competitive and worth it for what you get. The location at 1st Ave. requires a 4-block aerobic ascent up E. 33rd St. to the No. 6 subway line at Lexington Ave. (downhill on the way home, though!), which gives it reasonably good access to the rest of Manhattan. It’s easily reachable from LaGuardia. I have stayed at Envoy Club on four occasions, mainly when in town to see Broadway shows. I like being away from the Times Square commotion but only 2 stops away from the theaters by changing from the 6 line to the shuttle at Grand Central. The suites are roomy and tastefully decorated in muted grays, blues and earth tones. In the suite I rented most recently, the bedroom was a generous 19x13 ft. and the living room was 19x12 ft. The living room includes a glass dining table with seating for four. There’s also an 8x9 ft. kitchen with marble countertops and clean, new, full-size major appliances, microwave and coffeemaker. The bed was comfortable, and linens and towels were of good quality. I found the furniture to be clean and in good condition. There are TVs in both the living room and in the bedroom and a stereo and fax machine (yes, a fax machine) in the living room. The windowless bath is decorated in classic white and black tile with attractive ceramic molding. Fixtures are modern and clean, including a tub/shower combination, and hot water was prompt and plentiful. There is substantial closet and cabinet space, including closets in the bedroom and in the entry vestibule. Service at the front desk is a mixed bag. Some staff are friendly and helpful, others are non-communicative and uninterested. There is a doorman who actually works for the apartments in the building that are not part of Envoy Club, but the added security presence is nice. The maid service was good. A fitness center is available for use, but I have never seemed to find the time to use it, so I can’t report on its quality. The location is close to the NYU Hospital on 1st Ave., so depending on which side of the building you’re on, it’s possible to hear emergency vehicle sirens (ubiquitous in New York, anyway). However, the Envoy Club occupies floors of the building that are high enough from street level to keep noise fairly minimal (ca. 5th-7th floors I believe). I heard no sounds at all from neighbors and always slept well.
The Bad: As has been noted, the carpets are worn and due for replacement. However, I personally don’t find them bad enough to keep me from staying there. Unfortunately the place has cut corners in equipping the kitchen. I like to cook for myself at least part of the time and also invite a local friend to join me for dinner in, so the kitchen is one of the attractions of the Envoy Club for me. Basic flatware, dinnerware, cooking utensils, and pots and pans are provided, though in sparse quantities. However, unlike many vacation apartments, absolutely no additional amenities or conveniences are provided in the kitchen. There was not even a dish cloth or dish towel. I had to go to one of the nearby Gristede’s supermarkets to buy paper towels to put in the empty paper towel holder. I suppose when I checked out the paper towels I provided were removed rather than left in place for the next guest. Salt and pepper shakers are provided, but they’re likewise empty. The maid will leave a couple of little filter packs of coffee for the coffeemaker, but you might want to plan to buy some while there or bring coffee with you. Another thing to be aware of is that internet connection in your suite will be an optional extra that is separately billed. It was worth the extra charge for me to be online, and the internet connection available at a desk/work station in the bedroom was very functional. However, I would have preferred having internet connectivity included in the price of the room, and it wouldn’t bother me at all if the fax machine in the living room were dispensed with.
The Ugly: Not that the management has any control over the views, but I’ll just note that the various suites I’ve rented over time have had very different views, from the Empire State Building splendidly framed in the living room window, to, most recently, a full-on view of a hideous nondescript building located across E. 33rd St. to the south, probably dating from the late 1960s. The windows in that monstrosity are cluttered with desperate and very tacky window shades and what appear to be stacks of manila folders. Shades of Novosibirsk.
Other notes: There are at least two Gristede’s supermarkets in easy walking distance from the Envoy Club, for example just south on 3rd Ave., as well as numerous small groceries, delis and shops. I enjoy the Eastside Midtown / Murray Hill scene, including some interesting restaurants and taverns close by on 2nd Ave. It’s worth a walk in the neighborhood to discover some of the local opportunities. For example, I stumbled across a wonderful concert of Bach harpsichord music at the historic Moravian Church on Lexington Ave. near E. 30th St. There is also a multi-screen cinema around the corner on 2nd Ave. Macy’s is walkable from here as well.
For me the positives outweigh the negatives, especially the location and the spacious interiors, and I’m likely to return to Envoy Club in the future.
