While the rich- and famous-frequented hotels of New York City battle their way back from the drop in occupancy rates they experienced after the World Trade Center attack, five hotels right in Manhattan have continued offering good value prices all along. These are the properties of the Apple Core group, all of which run in collaboration with nationwide chains. Last month, to top off their success, they opened a first-ever Super 8 in the city, right in the heart of Times Square.
After completing a two-million-dollar renovation on a landmark hotel (once the Wentworth, then the Quality Hotel and Suites), the group has brought forth the Super 8 Hotel Times Square, at 59 West 46th Street, with rates starting at just $89 a room, including complimentary continental breakfast. Other amenities in-room include wireless Web TV, on-demand movies and video games, coffee makers, irons and boards, hair dryers, data ports and personal safes. The hotel has a business center and a fitness center (the latter open 24/7), as well as the 46th Street Cafe, a sky-lit bar on the second floor, for drinks and light snacks.
Super 8 calls itself the world's largest economy motel franchiser, with more than 2,000 hotels and motels throughout North America. Very few of its properties are located behind rose-brick Beaux Art facades, as is the Times Square unit, built in 1902 as a residential hotel, now with 206 guest rooms.
Apple Core operates four other recently renovated properties in Manhattan. They are the Red Roof Inn Manhattan at 6 West 32nd Street, the landmark Best Western Manhattan at 17 West 32nd Street, the smoke-free Comfort Inn Midtown at 129 West 46th Street, and the Ramada Inn Eastside at 161 Lexington Avenue.
For reservations, call Apple Core Hotels at 800/567-7720 or 212/790-2710, fax 212/790-2760. Their Web site is www.applecorehotels.com, and you can make reservations right online. Alternatively, you can phone Super 8 at 800/800-8000.