PUBLIC Hotel

Reviews

• VL

  Vicki Lau

  6 days ago
  3.0
  I found myself incredibly disappointed by the hotel. There is nothing luxury about this hotel in my opinion. This hotel is only good for those who prioritize staying in a design forward hotel, otherwise almost all other aspects of the hotel are disappointing. 1. Service was not great. Check in is primarily self check in via a kiosk otherwise they have one staff member there to answer questions. I attempted to ask the staff member some questions about my Amex benefits and they were clueless and redirected me to the cafe staff. When I went to the cafe staff to ask my questions, they tried to redirect me to the front desk staff… (so I never got a clear answer). The bartender on the lobby floor was so rude and standoffish, she made it seem like I was bothering her by ordering a drink. Luggage storage is diy via lockers in the lower level, no live person to help you. I just expected that at the price we paid, service would be much better, but so many things were DIY and the times we did interact with staff were a let down. 2. The hotel property is overrun with non guests. The ground floor and lobby are overrun with outside guests working on their computers, there was even a disheveled woman there who looked like she lived in the lobby as we saw her in the lobby late into the night and then the following morning. I did not appreciate how open to the public the hotel was. During the day there is almost no seating available even for the hotel guests. 3. Rooms are barebones and small. The view from our room was fine, but nothing compared to the nyc skyline view we had in our hotel we transferred from that was cheaper. You’re also sleeping on a mattress on the floor pushed into the corner of the room with no nightstands. They also don’t provide you with any body lotion in the room which is disappointing. We found dust and lint next to the corner of the bed and the shower shelf was poorly mounted and about to fall over so our toiletries kept toppling over. The shower walls are also see through so I wouldn’t book this hotel with anybody other than a spouse or partner. I expected way more from a hotel at this price. 4. The location is very good, I liked that it was next to a Whole Foods and a train station. 5. I didn’t like that I could only access the rooftop after 5pm, even as a hotel guest. I would have liked to been able to access the roof during the day even just to get a view of the skyline. 6. The entire hotel is so dark everywhere, the hallways, the lower levels. It’s so hard to see anything. Overall I wouldn’t recommend anybody to stay at this hotel. Yes it’s designed quite nicely but it’s just a social media trap. The quality you’re provided is not even close to what you pay for. We had transferred from a much cheaper hotel earlier in our trip that we enjoyed much more than Public due to receiving better service and having a more comfortable stay at the other hotel.
• KK

  Katiana

  Oct 27, 2025
  1.0
  This hotel boasts a 4 star status but the check in process is worse than a motel. The entire lobby had been waiting until 3 pm check in. Multiple parties with messed up reservations. Many had been waiting for rooms that were ready but pending an “inspection” whatever that means. It took an extra 30 mins to an hour for this inspection which had to be done by front desk staff. Not sure if understaffed. I was supposed to have a higher room but because the delays were so horrible I just took whatever room they had ready. It delayed all my dinner plans for that evening because check in was such a mess. The hotel room itself is small which is expected for manhattan rooms but the finishes were luxurious. The rooftop is stunning. Great location. There is a club in the basement and the rooftop which makes it very loud and difficult to sleep. unfortunately Overall I would not stay again
• SA

  Steven Annis

  Oct 27, 2025
  4.0
  The location cannot be faltered being so close to Bowery and soho The staff at this hotel are some of the kindest most down to earth souls i have ever encountered. Without them my stay here would have been a very different experience From the managers to the receptionist to the maintenance staff they want to help and go out their way to help The rooms themselves aren’t massive, I mean this is manhattan. But they are clean, modern, stylish, well laid out, great water pressure in the shower, great USB plugs all over the room, great WiFi and great TVs that connect quickly to I-pads and laptops Mattress and pillows are amazing Elevators are super quick and large and I was never left waiting like some hotels All these things matter Plus there’s a stunning little garden at the front to relax BUT……and here’s the but……it’s a party hotel to the max. Especially at weekends. Be warned and choose your room number AND FLOOR number wisely Choose wrong and you will not sleep Choose correctly and you will sleep to perfection Some of the rooms are also just plain noisy due to proximity of boilers or air con units Would I come here again…….100% yes but knowing to keep my head down at weekends
• HK

  Heather Kalks

  Oct 24, 2025
  5.0
  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Stay I’ll Never Forget – Above and Beyond in Every Way I travel frequently for work, but nothing could have prepared me for the unexpected turn my work trip this week to New York City took. During my stay at Public Hotel, I experienced a medical emergency— a daunting situation, especially while away from home. From the moment the staff learned of my condition late at night, they responded with extraordinary compassion and professionalism. They immediately contacted EMTs, reassured me that my room and belongings would be taken care of, and handled everything with calm and care. But their support didn’t stop there. When I learned I’d need to remain in NYC for two additional days for emergency gallbladder removal surgery and have my sister fly in to assist me during surgery, the team went above and beyond. They graciously extended my stay, ensured my sister could stay in my room, and made sure she had access even after her last-minute, late-night arrival. Their thoughtfulness during such a stressful time was deeply moving. What truly made this experience unforgettable were the people. Their kindness turned a frightening moment into a powerful reminder of how meaningful hospitality can be when it’s rooted in genuine care. Angelo Boyke was especially incredible — who ensured my room was secure and ready for my sister, and checked in on my well-being as well! I also want to recognize the front desk associate working on the night of Monday, October 21st, who was calm, helpful, and compassionate amidst the chaos. I regret not catching his name, but his support made a lasting impression. Thank you, Public Hotel, for being more than just a place to stay. You were a lifeline when I needed it most. Your warmth, professionalism, and humanity will stay with me — and I’m committed to staying with you on all future trips to New York City
• GW

  Gayashi Weerasinghe

  Oct 18, 2025
  4.0
  My bf and I have stayed here a few times and we love the PUBLIC hotel because of how conveniently located it is, gorgeous upscale rooms, access to the ROOF, and express check in and out, etc With that being said, a few things could be improved. The complimentary breakfast was barely anything. You are better off paying for your food. The staff also do not actively inform guests about the parking discount during check out. Since we’ve stayed here before, we remembered to ask for the discount. When we went to the parking garage, we noticed some guests didn’t even know they had to ask for it. They were under the impression it was already applied at check out. I don’t blame them. We had a lot of questions about parking our first stay as well. The ROOF access is nice but it’s a bit restrictive in terms of where you can sit etc. Nevertheless, we enjoy having free access and being able to go up there without reservations.