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Facelift Priceshift: A Big Apple Historic Landmark District's Hotel from $109 Per Single Room

Every once in a while, some innovative hotel gets the message ("lower the rates!"), and it's happened again with the splendid little WJ Hotel in my own New York City neighborhood. AS the former Washington Jefferson Hotel, it was adequate; but now, after a recent complete renovation and slight name change, it's been transformed into a jewel of a place. Though their rates went up, they still have an Internet special starting at just $109 for a single twin room.

There are 127 rooms, each featuring a goose down comforter and new mattresses, a safe, hairdryer, iron & board, AM/FM clock radio, phone in the bathroom (with direct dial and voice mail), data port connection for modem and fax hook-ups, cable TV with Pay-Per-View and more. Hotel facilities include a free fitness center, and there is weekday New York Times delivery, room service and a concierge. Also on hand: a laundry/valet service, valet parking, and in-room Internet access via TV with a wireless keyboard.

The remade hotel is located at 318 West 51st Street, in the heart of a what's now called the Clinton District, which is zoned for buildings limited to six stories. This is the neighborhood that was once known as Hell's Kitchen (and, frankly still is), home to the gangs of West Side Story. The hotel is on the western edge of the theater district, close to Restaurant Row, and eight short blocks from Central Park and Columbus Circle. Nearby 9th Avenue is one of the city's most popular, and affordable, dining streets. Most rooms are smallish, to be sure, but the few bigger ones even sport a whirlpool in the bath. Ask for a back room to ensure an undisturbed sleep.

While the cheapest room starts at $109, the next step up is a deluxe with a single bed at $119. With two twin beds, the cost is $179, with queen sized bed $189. Taxes of 13.25% and $2 per room per night are not included.

The hotel is sporting two other specials as well. If you book two nights at a rate of $129 or greater, your third night is half off through February 28. Or, you can pay $129 for three nights and receive two tickets to the Off Broadway girl-band rock show Betty Rules through March 31. With either package, you get a one-day Metro pass and discounts at Macy's and Bloomingdale's.

The WJ is managed by the same people who run The Iroquois, another recently redeveloped property on West 44th between 5th and 6th Avenues. To contact them, phone 888/567-7550 or 212/246-7550, fax 212/246-7622, e-mail reservations@wjhotel.com, Web site wjhotel.com.


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