Aloft Manhattan Downtown - Financial District

Try a Stay in Lower Manhattan

I earned a free night award in a Starwood property to use by the end of April or it would expire. To claim my award, I had to call SPG at talk to an agent. After searching the available rooms, the agent found me a room at the Aloft in the Financial District. I was intrigued for I hadn't stayed in Lower Manhattan before; I usually stay in Midtown. I took it to be an adventure. Since I was visiting New York on a weekend, the MTA had a different schedule. The A & C train were not running to Fulton Street, only the 2 or 3 trains were. (I suggest downloading the MTA Weekender app to help negotiate the service stoppages for visiting NYC on the weekend.) I didn't realize that the A train was diverted to the F tracks until I noticed that the station stops I was passing through didn't match the ones on the map. I didn't panic, but I got off the train at the next stop and called an uber. The approach to the hotel in the uber seemed somewhat desolate. Ann Street wasn't busy at all. At the time of my visit, there was a lot of scaffolding around. The streets are narrow and I stayed aware of my surroundings. I felt safe but I was aware how alone I felt. When I arrived, the service at the front desk was great. I was greeted as I entered and I told the clerk that I had tried to check in via the SPG app with SPG keyless. He took my information and told me that it was probably because it was an award reservation that caused me to have an issue. He showed me how to use the SPG keyless and let me head to my room. It was the first time that I used the SPG keyless and I'll admit I loved using my phone to unlock my room. The room is the typical Aloft room - a contemporary style, dark gray featured (carpet and wallpaper), pixelated pops of color and space saving designs. The room was small, too. It's New York; this isn't a complaint, it's a fact. The sleep area was slightly larger than the king size bed and slender desk and chair. There was a small vestibule space at the intersection of the sleeping area and the sink and shower-toilet area which help make the room feel bigger. The space for the sink, shower and toilet were ample enough. Yet it could be difficult to share this space with another. The location had its advantages. The subway is about a block and a half away and to my pleasure there is a 24-hour CVS a block away. Though it's the Financial District, there are still people who live there. There were a lot of conveniences: coffee stores, restaurants, sundries and more. The price was right since it was an award night. However the agent who help me book the room told me warned me that, should I not cancel and not show at the hotel, my credit card would be charged for over $400. The cost of New York keeps be from visiting often but I was fortunate to have a nice weekend in NYC.