By Meredith Hoffman
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
HELL'S KITCHEN — A new hotel in Hell's Kitchen that boasts tiny rooms made a big impression on its customers during its opening weekend, despite a few technical glitches with its state-of-the-art amenities.
The 27-floor Yotel hotel, on Tenth Avenue and West 42nd Street, has opened about half of its 669 compact rooms for occupancy so far, said marketing director Jo Berrington. The European company boasts tiny Japanese-style "pod" hotel rooms with a corresponding price. It also has a robotic arm that carries guests' luggage to storage.
"I like the modern, minimalist thing," said Dux Sy, 34, a guest who praised the hotel's concept and $220 per night price tag, half of what he would have paid for other last-minute rooms nearby.
"The only downside is it's far away from the activity, compared to places in Times Square," added Sy, of Washington D.C.
Sy noted a few "hiccups" still in the system.
"I had an issue with the key — twice. And those boxes with robotic arms — I thought they were construction, but they take your luggage!"
Berrington admitted the hotel incurred a few technical glitches in the first couple of days, but said her staff fixed them by Monday night. She called "the world's first hotel luggage robot," named Yobot, "fun and efficient and only the start of baggage management."
The hotel opened its rooms to guests last Friday, along with their fourth floor lounge, bar, and terrace.
"It looks like the future," said Anne Bourhy, 30, a guest from Paris who said the hypermodern style was a refreshing difference from her country's bed and breakfasts.
Staying in a room on the ninth floor with her husband, Bourhy said she had a few complaints about the check-in process, after she didn’t get entry cards from the machine, and didn't get any directions how to get to their room.
Berrington said she'd try to fix the entry card issue, and that her Ground Control crew would help clients in the meantime.
George Reed-Dellinger, 64, an investment analyst, said he was pleased to stay "somewhere that's hipper instead of stodgy."
Karla Ledet, 52, visiting from Louisiana for a wedding, said she transferred rooms after her air conditioner failed to work. Still, she complimented the cleanliness and location.
"The room's compact yet has everything you need," she said. "It's small, but you’re not going to stay in your room—you're in New York!"
The whole hotel will be opened within the next few weeks, said Berrington. The main restaurant, Dohyo, will officially open June 15.
