Nesva Hotel

The Nesva Hotel is a quiet and unassuming boutique-style hotel in Long Island City Queens. The sun room at the main entrance of the hotel can make it a little confusing as to where the front desk of the hotel is located -- but hey, how many hotels in New York City actually have a sun room? Once inside, the hotel puts it's funky, artsy foot forward, and while there isn't much of a lobby, the subtle birch-tree wallpaper next to the front desk coupled with the Art Deco flooring make a nice first impression. Adding to the hotel's vibrant look, there are murals of New York City throughout the main floor, including a one of the Queensboro Bridge, which adds a bit of local flavor. Additional nice-to-haves include the outdoor terrace with plenty of patio furniture. The brightly painted mural in the backyard taps into the artistic side of Long Island City, and the thick concrete walls add some privacy and keep things quiet -- overall, this hotel is a low-key home base from which to explore NYC. Families, budget travelers, and business travelers are the most common guests at this hotel, all drawn by rates that are more reasonable than those just across the East River. 

The Nesva Hotel is located across the East River from Manhattan, in Queens' Long Island City neighborhood. Several parts in Long Island City are up-and-coming (or already arrived), and have a funky artsy vibe, but the neighborhood surrounding the Nesva doesn’t have much of a scene and is fairly quiet. In fact, the closest  walkable points of interest are technically in Astoria, Queens, and include the Museum of the Moving Image, which is a 15 minutes from the hotel on foot. There are a few bodegas, coffee shops, and restaurants within a five to 10-minute walk as well, but the Long Island City hotspots like PS1 and the cafes near the Pulaski Bridge will all require a cab to reach -- expect a 10-minute ride. 

It's quite easy to get into Manhattan from here, though, and the 39th Avenue station on the N and Q lines is just two blocks away. From there, it's a 20-minute subway ride into Times Square. Additional subway options include the E, M, R, and 7 trains, which are a 10-minute walk from the hotel. JFK is about a 35-minute taxi ride from the hotel, while LaGuardia will take 15 minutes to reach by cab. Expect a 45-minute taxi ride to Newark Liberty Airport. Beware, though: New York City's traffic is epic and drive times in every borough of the city can vary wildly.

The look in all of the Nesva's rooms is the same from one category to the next, with the major difference being the size and number of the beds. By New York City standards, rooms are spacious, and they all have a bright and modern style that includes a few trendy accents, like Navajo-print throw pillows on beds. Colors generally skew warm, with burnt orange accent walls, patterned carpets, and tan and brown bed linens -- though some rooms swap the orange accent wall for a sharp navy hue. The dark wood-veneer furniture has simple, contemporary lines and is in good shape -- we didn't see any noticeable wear when we visited.

All rooms include flat-screen TVs with HBO and Showtime, iPod docks, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and safes. Those above the fourth floor have a view of the eastern Manhattan skyline that can include the Queensboro Bridge and glimpses of the Empire State Building. The Euro Balkon and Academy Balkon Rooms both have a private balcony, though balconies have no furniture. Bathrooms are compact, though they are done in modern light and dark tiling -- some have surprisingly spacious granite vanities and contemporary vessel sinks, and all include shower/tub combos. Eco-friendly with features like low-flow bathroom fixtures and LED lighting are used in all rooms. 

As this hotel is frequently used as a budget-friendly base for exploring NYC or as a place to bed down on quick business trips, the features on offer are pretty slim -- though comparable to most value hotels in NYC -- and with some surprising additions. A continental breakfast is included with the room rate --breakfast has reasonably varied options that include pastries, bagels, yogurt. Coffee is also available throughout the day in the break room. 

The common spaces are open and available to all guests throughout the day -- they're a nice addition for a hotel in this category, as is the outdoor terrace, which can make a fine place to sip some coffee before starting the day in the warmer months (or maybe enjoy a little BYOB wine in the evening). There are no TVs in the common areas, but there are magazines, tables, and vending machines. All common areas have standard plastic and metal patio-style seating, though some cushioned, contemporary pieces would have been more inviting. 

Free high speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and in the common areas, and concierge services are available to help guests with getting around. Keep in mind that travelers brining their own cars will have to secure their own parking as the hotel does not have its own garage, though they can direct guests to off-site parking.