Review: The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection

Hotel Website: The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection
Location: Google Maps
Book: Check availability
Room Type: 1 Bedroom Suite – King, 500sqft/72sqm, Separate living room
Review Score: Results of our review
Hotel Fact: A fun fact about The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection, New York, is that it once housed legendary figures like Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio during their brief marriage in the 1950s! They even have a special “Norma Jeane Suite” (Marilyn Monroe’s birth name) that pays homage to her and Joe DiMaggio’s time there.

Other Local Luxury Resorts & Things to Do:

Our Highlights

Subpar Luxury Expectation: Did not deliver the high-end luxury hotel experience expected from a Marriott Autograph Collection property, leading to a disappointing hotel stay in NYC.
Check-in Frustrations: Experienced inefficient service and a clear lack of acknowledgment at the elite check-in counter, resulting in frustrating delays right from hotel arrival.
Dated & Impersonal Rooms: Despite being advertised as an “upgraded” suite, the room felt under-decorated with seemingly cheap furnishings and featured a highly problematic bathroom, leading to an uncomfortable hotel room experience in Manhattan.
Comfort Issues: Non-functional air conditioning significantly impacted the overall hotel stay comfort, requiring multiple complaints about AC problems during our visit.
Inconsistent Service Recovery: Promised compensation for issues, like Marriott Bonvoy points, was not delivered, and even basic communication, such as receiving receipts, required persistent follow-up, highlighting poor customer service and a lack of accountability.

Things to Know

When planning your visit to The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection, New York City, it’s beneficial to have a clear understanding of what to expect. This historic Midtown East hotel offers a blend of classic charm and modern functionality, which might align differently with individual preferences for a luxury NYC stay.

Additional Costs: Beyond the standard room rate, guests should be aware of potential extra charges. Valet parking incurs a daily fee (approximately USD 70). There’s also a continental breakfast available for a fee (around USD 29 for adults) and a daily $35 “resort/facility fee”, which are important to factor into your budget and not well used at this hotel. Service recovery for issues, such as promised compensation (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy points) or basic administrative tasks like sending receipts, may require persistent follow-up.
Prime Location, Busy Environment: Situated at 511 Lexington Avenue, the hotel is incredibly convenient for NYC sightseeing and business travel, being near Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building, and Fifth Avenue shopping. However, its central location also means a perpetually busy atmosphere, both inside and out, with significant foot traffic and ambient city sounds.
“Historic” Exterior and Interior: The hotel, built in 1929, showcases Art Deco architecture. While this lends it a unique character, some parts, including the exterior (especially if scaffolding is present) and certain interior finishes, may appear dated rather than charmingly historic, potentially giving a “rough” impression.
Check-in Experience: Be prepared for potentially lengthy or disorganized check-in processes. Despite having separate lines for standard and elite members, staff availability may be an issue, requiring patience or assertiveness. Early check-in is not guaranteed and may result in a bag storage fee.
Lobby Dynamics: The lobby can be exceptionally busy, particularly as it’s frequented by airline staff (like British Airways flight attendants). This creates a bustling, often chaotic environment that might not align with a quiet, luxurious lounge experience. The decor can also feel eclectic rather than cohesively luxurious.
Room Characteristics: While some rooms, especially upgraded suites, can offer surprisingly generous space for New York City hotels, the decor may feel sparse or feature what some perceive as cheaper furnishings. In-room amenities typically expected in a luxury hotel, such as bathrobes, slippers, lotion, or complimentary bottled water, may be absent.
Bathroom Functionality: Bathrooms, even in larger suites, are often described as exceptionally small and may feature unusual design choices (e.g., half-glass, half-curtain showers). Automated toilet functions may be unreliable.
HVAC Performance: Guests have reported issues with air conditioning, which can significantly impact room comfort. Be prepared to request assistance or supplementary cooling like fans.
Onsite Dining: The Stayton Room offers a Prohibition-themed bar experience with cocktails and a limited menu of bar bites. Breakfast is available for a fee. A Starbucks is also accessible from the lobby for quick coffee and snacks. These are primarily functional rather than gourmet dining options.
Gym Access: A notable positive is the complimentary access to a full Crunch Fitness gym located in the hotel’s basement, offering a well-equipped workout space.

Amenities

🍸 Bar
🏋️‍♂️ Gym
🍽️ Restaurant

The Luxe Atlas Rating

Design: 7/10
Vibe: 6/10
Romantic: 6/10
Air Conditioning: 2/10
Room: 5/10
Food: 6/10
Location: 8/10
Gym/Fitness: 9/10
Cleanliness: 8/10
Wow Factor: 5/10
Overall Experience: 6.2/10

Introduction: A New NYC Hotel Experience

On my countless trips to New York City, I’ve explored many accommodations, but somehow, The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection, New York City, had always flown under my radar. This time, seeking something different, my wife and I decided to venture into this Marriott Autograph Collection property, located right in the heart of Manhattan. We were eager to see if it would live up to the promise of a unique and luxurious experience.

Arrival & First Impressions: Rough Edges and Scaffolding

Upon arrival from the airport, the hotel’s exterior immediately caught my eye. While it was clearly historic, there was a sense that it felt a bit “rough around the edges.” The presence of scaffolding around the building contributed to this impression, making it seem like something was about to happen but there was zero construction happening. It wasn’t the polished, grand entrance I often associate with a high-end NYC hotel. Nonetheless, we tried to remain optimistic about the stay ahead, hoping the interior would tell a different story.

The Check-in Saga: A Disorganized Welcome

Stepping inside, we encountered a check-in area with two distinct lines: one for standard guests and another for elite members. Given our status, we naturally headed for the elite line, which, to our surprise, was completely unstaffed. A few people were waiting in the standard line, but no one from the hotel acknowledged our presence or the growing line behind us at the elite counter. It was a rather awkward wait. As the standard line eventually cleared, we still remained unaddressed. I felt compelled to politely, but firmly, make our way to the now-free standard counter to finally get attention. It wasn’t the seamless, recognized welcome one expects as an elite member.

Room Readiness & Communication Blips: A Rocky Start

After the check-in confusion, we were informed that our room wouldn’t be ready until 4 PM. In my experience with Marriott properties, there’s usually an effort to accommodate early check-ins, especially for elite guests. However, here, it was a firm 4 PM. We opted to drop our bags with the bell desk, which, to our slight dismay, came with a small fee – another detail that felt a bit off for a supposed Autograph Collection hotel. We were told we’d receive a call when the room was prepared, but that call never came. We returned promptly at 4 PM to find the room indeed ready, but the initial communication had already set a slightly negative tone.

Lobby Atmosphere: A Hub of Activity, Not Luxury

The lobby itself was a whirlwind of activity, largely dominated by airline staff. It became clear that The Lexington Hotel is frequently used by British Airways for their flight attendants, which meant a constant flow of people and luggage. The space, adorned with various TVs and seemingly eclectic decor, felt more like a busy transit hub than a luxurious hotel retreat. It was bustling and loud, a “busy mess” rather than the serene, elegant ambiance one might expect from a premium New York City hotel. This constant activity detracted from any sense of exclusivity or quiet luxury.

My “Upgraded” Room: Spacious, Yet Underwhelming

Despite being on the 17th floor (out of 28, which felt a bit odd for an “upgraded” room), we discovered we had indeed received a spacious suite, taking up a significant portion of the floor. For Manhattan accommodations, this size was a genuine rarity and a welcome change. However, stepping inside, the sense of disappointment quickly returned. The large living room felt remarkably under-decorated – almost bare. The couch and TV seemed ill-suited to the space, lacking comfort and aesthetic appeal. We found a small table with two chairs that also felt out of place. The in-room fridge was frozen solid in the back and clearly needed defrosting. The bedroom, though ample, suffered from similar issues: what appeared to be cheap furniture and a headboard awkwardly drilled directly into the wall. It suggested a hotel with a high turnover rate, prioritizing utility over quality design, which felt out of sync with the Autograph Collection brand.

The Bathroom Debacle: A Series of Flaws

The bathroom was, unfortunately, the most glaring disappointment. It was exceptionally small, a surprising contrast to the suite’s generous living space. The sink was tiny, and crucially, there were absolutely no amenities provided – no lotion, no special soaps, nothing beyond the absolute basics in the shower – though we were given a room with the conditioner empty.. then we complained and received a new bottle, but the pump was never checked and was actually broken.. It made our stay more like a Courtyard Inn than a luxury hotel.

The shower was bizarrely designed, half-enclosed with glass and the other half with a curtain, which was both perplexing and awkward to use. The automated toilet, a feature meant to be convenient, was rendered useless by a poorly positioned lid that constantly blocked the sensor. This meant manually reaching around to find and push the flush button every single time – a truly frustrating and unhygienic experience that underscored the lack of attention to quality and user experience.

Comfort Control & Service Recovery Failures: Persistent Issues

Perhaps the most impactful issue was the air conditioning, which simply did not work throughout our entire stay. The air in the room was consistently poor, making for an uncomfortable environment. Set to 66°, the air never went below 74° except for at night it would hit 72°. Despite multiple complaints to the front desk, the issue persisted, and ultimately, the hotel could only provide us with a fan or to move to a smaller room. To compensate for this significant inconvenience, we were promised 20,000 points, a gesture that, frustratingly, never materialized. To add insult to injury, I never received my receipt via email and had to call four days later to obtain it – no one answered and the voicemail told me to email this certain email address to get my copy… WHAT? This series of events painted a picture of a hotel that was “rambunctious” in its design and operations, with staff and systems struggling to deliver the quality and seamless experience one seeks in a supposedly luxurious establishment.

Missing the Mark on In-Room Luxuries: A Basic Offering

Beyond the functional issues, the consistent lack of basic in-room luxuries was striking. No complimentary bottled water, no slippers for comfort, and certainly no bathrobes or quality lotions. For an “Autograph Collection” property, this felt like a significant omission, reinforcing the impression that this hotel operates at a much more basic tier, more akin to a mid-range chain than a curated, premium experience.

Unexpected Bright Spots: Breakfast and the Gym

Amidst the frustrations, there were a couple of unexpected positives. Our elite status did grant us access to a complimentary breakfast, which, while not gourmet, was decent. It reminded me a bit of an airport lounge offering, but with slightly better quality food. The biggest pleasant surprise was the gym. The hotel provides guests with free access to a full Crunch Fitness facility located in the basement. This was genuinely impressive – a comprehensive gym with a variety of equipment, far surpassing typical hotel fitness centers. It was a truly valuable amenity that felt like a hidden gem.

Onsite Dining at The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection

The dining options at The Lexington Hotel are primarily for convenience, serving basic needs rather than offering a high-end culinary experience.

The Stayton Room:
- Concept: This Prohibition-themed bar and restaurant, located next to the lobby, aims to evoke a Jazz Age ambiance. It primarily focuses on craft cocktails and a concise menu of light bites.
- Breakfast Hours:
  - Weekdays: 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM (Continental breakfast available for an additional charge).
  - Weekends: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Continental breakfast available for an additional charge).
- Dinner/Bar Hours:
  - Daily: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Offers cocktails and a limited menu of items like salads, pizzas, and charcuterie. Functions more as a bar with accompanying food than a full-service restaurant).
- Happy Hour: Daily from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, featuring special pricing on select beverages, though overall drink prices remain on the higher side.
Starbucks:
- Concept: A convenient Starbucks counter with its own separate entrance connected to the lobby. It’s suitable for quick grabs of coffee, pastries, and snacks.
- Hours: Typically follows standard Starbucks operating hours, from early morning to late evening, though specific times may vary.

Final Thoughts: A Disappointing Encounter in a Great Location

My visit to The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection, New York, was, regrettably, a largely unfortunate experience. While its Midtown East location is undeniably excellent for exploring NYC, the hotel itself felt dated and struggled significantly with both design and service execution. From the chaotic check-in and problematic room amenities to the non-functional air conditioning and unfulfilled promises, it consistently fell short of the quality and luxury implied by its branding. For the price point, I found the overall value proposition disappointing. If you’re ever in New York City and considering this spot for its location, I would honestly suggest looking at alternatives in the vicinity, such as the Renaissance Inn next door, which might offer a more consistent and satisfying hotel experience in Manhattan.