The Pod 39 Hotel is BRAND NEW. So new, in fact, that I actually stayed here before the hotel's "official" Grand Opening. (I'm not a big-wig or anything, they just happen to be renting rooms out before the hotel's officially, ya' know, done.)
Pod hotels are, for my money, as modern as they come. The Pod 39 is a sleek hotel only getting sleeker; when I arrived, construction crews were still putting together the restaurant in the lobby, and the extremely nice young lady behind the checkout desk assured me that the rooftop bar on the 17th floor of the Pod 39 was set to open in early September, 2012. So, if you're planning on visiting the Pod 39, like, tomorrow, be weary of reviews claiming that these two add-ons are open - they are not!
Anyways, there's a lot to love about the Pod 39. I'll start with the rooms. I'll admit, this is probably the smallest hotel room I've EVER stayed in. That being said, it fit me pretty perfectly. As a lone dude renting out a single occupancy room, I wasn't really asking for much space. And even though my room was quite likely under 100-square feet, they do fantastic work with the space they have.
My room had a sleek little shower, a transparent bathroom door, a work desk with USB and electric outlet plug-ins and a nice chair, a comfy twin bed that rises a foot or two above the ground so you can store your luggage underneath it, and a 26" (maybe 32") HDTV strapped to the wall that had about 100 HD channels (including HBO and Showtime). Lastly, they have FREE wireless Internet available for guests. If you're one person in New York City paying less than $130 a night, what else could you POSSIBLY need? Small? Yes. Awesome? Definitely. (Even if the view I had from the window staring directly into a room opposite mine less than 100 feet away was slightly less than awesome.)
I was equally impressed with the staff. From the moment I checked in, to my lone visit to the concierge and finally checkout, the staff was nothing but friendly and courteous without a hint of pretension. The concierge in particular had no trouble setting up car service one day for my friend on short notice, and then a second concierge set up a flawless airport shuttle for myself a few days later at the low cost of $21. I also noticed that there are free Streetwise tours available Tuesdays and Fridays for hotel guests; definitely seek out the concierge desk when you stay at the Pod 39.
Lastly, let's talk about location. The Pod 39 is located on 39th street (naturally) between 3rd Avenue and Lexington. This area is just far enough away from Times Square that you're not surrounded by tourist traps everywhere, while also being a 10 minute walk from Bryant Park and a 15 minute walk to Times Square. (Note: Don't skip Bryant Park. There's no better place in New York, with the exception of Central Park, to enjoy a Dunkin Donuts coffe in the morning, and there's FREE wi-fi.) There are also some fun, authentic nightlife venues nearby that won't charge you an arm and a leg (definitely check out The Junction on 39th and Lexington, or Duke's on 3rd and 37th), and dining nearby includes the famous Scotty's Diner (delicious late-night burgers) and the RARE View Bar and Grill has an excellent rooftop bar just around the corner on 38th and Lexington.
Overall, I loved the Pod 39; if you're looking for a a great location at a basically unbeatable price ($130 in Manhattan at a non-dump used to be a paradox... Not anymore!), plus fresh and NEW hotel rooms, definitely give the Pod 39 a shot. I feel extremely confident in saying that you will NOT be let down by this excellent new hotel in Manhattan.
This review was made by the www.nyctourist.com site editor based on personal experience. NYCTourist was not paid for this review, but we may receive compensation for placement of this travel provider's advertisements on our site.
Jason Bushey
(Site Editor)
Sep 20, 2012
at 3:09 pm
Points: 10
Joined: November 2010
xxx.xxx.185.247
Would recommend to a friend
Date of stay: 09/12
Pod 39 - Good things come in (really) small packages
Venue Reviewed: The Pod 39 Hotel
The Pod 39 Hotel is BRAND NEW. So new, in fact, that I actually stayed here before the hotel's "official" Grand Opening. (I'm not a big-wig or anything, they just happen to be renting rooms out before the hotel's officially, ya' know, done.)
Pod hotels are, for my money, as modern as they come. The Pod 39 is a sleek hotel only getting sleeker; when I arrived, construction crews were still putting together the restaurant in the lobby, and the extremely nice young lady behind the checkout desk assured me that the rooftop bar on the 17th floor of the Pod 39 was set to open in early September, 2012. So, if you're planning on visiting the Pod 39, like, tomorrow, be weary of reviews claiming that these two add-ons are open - they are not!
Anyways, there's a lot to love about the Pod 39. I'll start with the rooms. I'll admit, this is probably the smallest hotel room I've EVER stayed in. That being said, it fit me pretty perfectly. As a lone dude renting out a single occupancy room, I wasn't really asking for much space. And even though my room was quite likely under 100-square feet, they do fantastic work with the space they have.
My room had a sleek little shower, a transparent bathroom door, a work desk with USB and electric outlet plug-ins and a nice chair, a comfy twin bed that rises a foot or two above the ground so you can store your luggage underneath it, and a 26" (maybe 32") HDTV strapped to the wall that had about 100 HD channels (including HBO and Showtime). Lastly, they have FREE wireless Internet available for guests. If you're one person in New York City paying less than $130 a night, what else could you POSSIBLY need? Small? Yes. Awesome? Definitely. (Even if the view I had from the window staring directly into a room opposite mine less than 100 feet away was slightly less than awesome.)
I was equally impressed with the staff. From the moment I checked in, to my lone visit to the concierge and finally checkout, the staff was nothing but friendly and courteous without a hint of pretension. The concierge in particular had no trouble setting up car service one day for my friend on short notice, and then a second concierge set up a flawless airport shuttle for myself a few days later at the low cost of $21. I also noticed that there are free Streetwise tours available Tuesdays and Fridays for hotel guests; definitely seek out the concierge desk when you stay at the Pod 39.
Lastly, let's talk about location. The Pod 39 is located on 39th street (naturally) between 3rd Avenue and Lexington. This area is just far enough away from Times Square that you're not surrounded by tourist traps everywhere, while also being a 10 minute walk from Bryant Park and a 15 minute walk to Times Square. (Note: Don't skip Bryant Park. There's no better place in New York, with the exception of Central Park, to enjoy a Dunkin Donuts coffe in the morning, and there's FREE wi-fi.) There are also some fun, authentic nightlife venues nearby that won't charge you an arm and a leg (definitely check out The Junction on 39th and Lexington, or Duke's on 3rd and 37th), and dining nearby includes the famous Scotty's Diner (delicious late-night burgers) and the RARE View Bar and Grill has an excellent rooftop bar just around the corner on 38th and Lexington.
Overall, I loved the Pod 39; if you're looking for a a great location at a basically unbeatable price ($130 in Manhattan at a non-dump used to be a paradox... Not anymore!), plus fresh and NEW hotel rooms, definitely give the Pod 39 a shot. I feel extremely confident in saying that you will NOT be let down by this excellent new hotel in Manhattan.
This review was made by the www.nyctourist.com site editor based on personal experience. NYCTourist was not paid for this review, but we may receive compensation for placement of this travel provider's advertisements on our site.