The Paper Factory Hotel

The Paper Factory Hotel occupies a five-story red brick building, a 100-year-old former paper factory surrounded by similar buildings that also used to house factories and warehouses. The decor is fun and eclectic, with a distinct vintage feel thanks to the numerous antiques decorating the public spaces, like wooden church benches, a London phone box, old suitcases, and rickety bicycles. Colorful and vibrant modern art hangs on the walls throughout, and the spaces are dotted with items that evoke the property's past, like an old paper press, used books, and paper art. Many of the building's original elements have been preserved, like polished concrete floors, brick walls, large factory windows, and exposed pillars and pipes. Most guests are couples and families visiting New York as leisure travelers, plus many art lovers are attracted by the hotel's location in the Kaufman Art District close to several museums and galleries.

Within the Queens borough of New York City, the hotel is located in Astoria's trendy Kaufman Art District, which was formerly an industrial area and now offers several hip restaurants, cafes, and bars. The area is well serviced by public transportation and the nearest subway station is a two-minute walk from the hotel, giving access to Manhattan in about 10 to 20 minutes. Many top attractions are about a 20- to 30-minute trip via public transportation, including Central Park, the Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Chrysler Building, and the Museum of Modern Art. Note that Queens is a sprawling borough, and while the Museum of the Moving Image is a short walk away, other Queens attractions like City Field (home to the New York Mets) or the Noguchi Museum require a subway ride. LaGuardia Airport is about a half-hour away via public transportation or a 15-minute drive, while JFK Airport can be reached in an hour via public transportation or a half-hour by car.

• Two-minute walk to the 36th Street subway station
• Six-minute walk to the Museum of the Moving Image
• 15 minutes to Central Park by subway 
• 13 minutes to the Museum of Modern Art by subway
• 18 minutes to Times Square by subway
• 18 minutes to Chrysler Building by subway 
• 22 minutes to The Noguchi Museum by subway
• 24 minutes to Empire State Building by subway
• 28 minutes to Metropolitan Museum of Art by subway
• 33 minutes to Citi Field by subway
• 15-minute drive to LaGuardia International Airport
• 25-minute drive to John F. Kennedy International Airport

The hotel's 123 guest rooms and suites are spacious, loft-style spaces with 12-foot-high ceilings, large windows, polished variegated-wood floors, custom-designed furniture, and the same quirky vintage style found throughout the hotel. Industrial metal chairs, X-leg desks, and tripod lamps by the platform beds add a glossy, stylish look to the spaces. The Lofts are huge with separate living areas made up of comfy rustic leather couches and kitchenettes with coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and microwaves. Every room has a flat-screen TV (ingeniously stored away in a Turkish leather trunk), air-conditioning, vintage radio, free Wi-Fi, safe, and an iron and ironing board. Bathrooms are only outfitted with showers (no tubs), but they feature the same high-design look with punchy colors, penny tile, hairdryers, and luxury William Roam toiletries in the bathrooms. Some rooms have lovely views of the Manhattan skyline. Guests should note that there have been some complaints of poor soundproofing between rooms, creaking floors, and issues with cleanliness.

Thanks in part to its Queens location, The Paper Factory Hotel has plenty of room to pile on the features, and the spaces are high-design to boot. The on-site Mundo restaurant is decked out in the same eclectic vintage decor seen throughout the hotel and offers a menu of Peruvian and Argentinean specialties, plus it has a bar. Breakfast is available here in the mornings, but some guests complain of a poor variety of breakfast foods on offer. The hotel has a fitness center that's open 24-hours and is equipped with cardio and boxing equipment, yoga mats, and free weights. There are a range of common spaces throughout the property where guests can relax, including a spacious lounge with seating and kitchen facilities, as well as a game room with a foosball table. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and guests can also make free international calls from the rooms. A computer is available for guests' use, as well as printing and fax services.