Not the snazziest of rooms in the city, but certainly amongst the most functional and user-friendly, the 135 guestrooms and suites at The Jewel are decorated in the same way and have either one or two bedrooms, accommodating up to four people. Some rooms, depending on their size and orientation, have a balcony, living space and kitchenette. The standard rooms are of a decent size, especially for this area, and have a queen bed dressed in white linens and a shiny, mutli-coloured bed spread, without which the room would be pretty dull. All the furniture is made from a basic light-coloured wood and includes the bedside tables (with iPod docking station, cordless telephone and plug socket) and the desk (with work lamp, jack socket and a selection of cables for computers etc). Amenities in the room include a flatscreen television, electronically-controlled air conditioning and a snack tray and coffee-maker (there is no regular minibar). Some rooms have a small balcony placing guests right in the middle of the huge surrounding skyscrapers with views down 51st Street and St. Patrick's Cathedral or the Rockefeller Center. The bathrooms, which are clean and bright, have marble-topped vanities, make-up mirrors, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries and regular showers (there are no bathtubs in any room).
The larger rooms have a refrigerator and microwave and in some cases a pull out sofa for extra guests. The suites, as well as having a separate living space, boast kitchenettes and in some cases a second bedroom with a full size bed. There are a total of five rooms adapted for those guests in a wheelchair with roll-in showers in the bathrooms.
We noticed that in the front facing rooms, even with the double glazing, the cars down below could still be heard. If you are a light sleeper than think about asking for a room at the back of the hotel.
Amy Adejokun
Section editor
