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Vintage Taxis Lure Guests to Newtown Creek-Side Hotel

By Meredith Hoffman | August 15, 2013 8:06am
 Guests of the Box House Hotel get free vintage taxi rides in the neighborhood.
Guests of the Box House Hotel get free vintage taxi rides in the neighborhood.
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DNAinfo/Meredith Hoffman

GREENPOINT — It may be tucked at the top of Greenpoint steps from a polluted waterway, but this young hotel is gaining notoriety among tourists and locals alike — for a fleet of classy vintage rides.

A set of white 1970's Checker cabs cart guests of the Box House Hotel for free from the lodging near Newtown Creek to other nearby spots. And the taxis have turned such heads that residents have started visiting the 2-year-old hotel.

"They're very popular. All the guests love them...and we have a lot of passersby who said they saw the taxis and decided to stop in," said the Box's manager Mae King of the four cars. "They're unique. And a lot of times guests tend to book a hotel when they see there's a free shuttle service."

The rides have drawn such demand, King said, that the owner is considering buying more as the 45-unit hotel expands with another 12 rooms.

The cars tote guests for free anywhere within one mile of the Box House, and hot destinations include Paulie G's Pizza, Anella restaurant and McCarren Park, King said, noting that the rides have "definitely" helped with the hotel's popularity.

"We're currently the number one hotel in Brooklyn on TripAdvisor," she said. "We transport [guests] in checkered taxis so they get very excited."