The Wall Street Inn

After the Great Fire of 1835, the building that now houses the mostly charming Wall Street Inn was erected and occupied by various importers through the years. From the 1920s onward, it was home to insurers and various finance giants, until it was purchased in the 1990s and has been operated as a hotel by the same family since 1999. Given all of that history, it's perhaps no surprise that this is an old-school type of place, with early American decor that features floral fabrics, patterned rugs, dark wood furniture, brass chandeliers, and classic reproduction artwork. The lobby looks somewhat like a living room, with a classic sofa and chairs for seating. Rich wood paneling covers the walls and front desk. Hallways to guest rooms feature striped wallpaper and floral patterned carpeting. Some guests may view the look as old-fashioned, others quaint. With its location in Lower Manhattan, close to major attractions and the city's financial heart, the hotel draws both business and leisure travelers.  

This hotel is located in the heart of the Financial District in Lower Manhattan, a four-minute walk from the New York Stock Exchange. The block on which it sits has several restaurants, a liquor store next door, and a parking garage across the street. Luke's Lobster Shack is just a few doors down the street, and Smorgas Chef, which provides room service at the hotel, is also close at hand. Nearby attractions include the South Street Seaport, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, and Battery Park, all within a 10-minute walk. This isn't the most hopping area of Manhattan at night or on the weekends -- it can feel comparatively empty at those times -- but there's still a number of bars and restaurants to keep people entertained and fed. Shopping is of the bargain-hunting variety, and includes the locally loved Century 21, which has designer deals and is only a 10-minute walk from the hotel. It's also two blocks from the 2 and 3 subway lines; three blocks from the J, M, Z, 4, and 5 lines; and 4 blocks from the N and R lines -- providing easy access to all of Manhattan's neighborhoods. Expect drives of 45 minutes to an hour to reach the city's major airports -- Laguardia, JFK, and Newark -- though traffic means those times can vary wildly. Alternatively, JFK can be reached by subway and AirTrain in 75 minutes. 

The hotel offers Superior and Deluxe Rooms with a king, one or two queens, or one or two full-sized beds. Decor is early American, with two-poster beds, patterned carpeting, floral drapery, and plaid bed toppers. Colors are soft tones of red, beige, and gold, and bed linens are imported from Belgium and France. The look is classic, and entirely fitting for this historic property, even if it is a bit old-fashioned for some guests. We did spot just a bit of wear on furniture. Deluxe Rooms are larger, and some have sitting areas with skirted sofa beds. All rooms come with air-conditioning, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and work desks, but don't expect coffeemakers. Bathrooms feature tiled shower/tub combos, magnifying mirrors, toiletries, and hairdryers. Some have pedestal or small wall-hung sinks and vintage fixtures, but some Deluxe Rooms feature large granite countertops. Robes and slippers are provided.

A free continental breakfast is served daily in the breakfast room, and coffee, tea, and snacks are available throughout the day. The latter is helpful as there's no way to make coffee in guest rooms. Unfortunately, the breakfast room is extremely small and can get crowded. Lunch and dinner are not available, though a local restaurant provides room service. The small fitness center has a couple of cardio and weight-training machines, with a wall-mounted flat-screen TV for entertainment. There's also a sauna and steam room. The compact business center has a computer and printer set up for guests to use, though Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Meeting rooms include a boardroom for up to six people and a larger conference room for up to 25. Valet parking is available for a fee.