I stayed at the Umbrella Hotel in the Bronx last weekend. The price was affordable for New York ($133), and the room had a decent king bed, good heating, a refrigerator, and a Roku TV. No bugs, which I appreciated.
However, several issues made the stay difficult. The windows were completely covered with decorative contact paper, so there was no way to see outside. The walls were very thin, and I could hear TVs and conversations from other rooms. There was a strong smell of smoke throughout the hotel, and doors slammed day and night. The elevator was out of service, though my room was only on the third floor.
My room also had maintenance concerns: the smoke detector was pulled from the ceiling, there was a small hole in the wall, and the lighting was uneven. The bathroom light wasn’t near the mirror, and there was no closet or anywhere to hang clothes. Bedding included only a comforter—no sheets—so I was glad I brought my own.
The biggest issue was the shower. The lever to turn it on was missing, so it didn’t work at all, and I had to wash up using the tub instead.
This hotel is inexpensive, but guests should be aware of these conditions. I hope management will address these concerns for future travelers.