I can not caution you enough. Avoid this hotel.
Written: Aug 08 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Downtown Location
Cons: Look in thesaurus for filthy.
The Bottom Line: Avoid the Hotel Syracuse like the plague (because you might get it by staying there).
There are several better hotels in the Syracuse area.
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| belynch's Full Review: Syracuse Hotel |
The Hotel Syracuse (improperly named on this website as the Syracuse Hotel) is a Historic Hotel of America. It was erected in the 1920's and has a storied past (including a Supreme Court Case regarding Women's rights).
The management of the Hotel Syracuse (which is controlled by it's creditors as it has filed for bankruptcy several times) perhaps is trying to retain the authentic 1920's flavor because it apparently hasn't been cleaned since.
Walking into the Hotel Syracuse one is reminded of how grand hotels used to be. The lobby with it's marble and oak was once a magnificent triumph in decoration and a symbol of opulent wealth. It is probably the nicest area in the hotel left (but still isn't that nice).
There are 2 buildings at the Hotel, the new and old. If is worth everything you have (if you end up staying here which isn't a good idea to begin with) to get into the new building. If you are placed in the old building do whatever it takes to get moved. If you stay in the old building I recommend buying a newspaper and using it as covers when you sleep on the street because you will be more secure, and cleaner out there (even in the Syracuse winter).
Rooms are tiny and often lack common hotel amenities like clean sheets, towels or working fixtures. Oh my last stay there (free after my first horrid stay) I was placed in their equivalent of the Presidential Suite after the first 3 rooms they tried to place me in were unoccupiable (i.e. broken windows, springs showing through mattresses, vomit on the floor). The presidential suite was large but again, not clean. There were no towels and we repeatedly called down to the front desk to have some brought up.
They never did show up. So, after a couple of hours I went pillaging in maintenance closets looking for clean linens. In my rummaging I discovered why the first rooms I was placed in were on the "occubialbe" list because the rest are horrid. The front desk clerk confided in me that about 85% of the rooms are unoccupialbe and of the 15% that are there are only a good dozen or so that she would consider sleeping in.
Wallpaper is peeling, carpet is worn through, infestation is evident everywhere... and that's only what the guests are supposed to see.
Overall the staff was somewhat pleasant (when I could find someone) and they knew they were working on a sinking ship.
The hotel has been under control of bankruptcy protection since loosing it's Radisson flag about 5 years ago. Since then no money has been put into the hotel and probably the only alternative left is to demolish it. Because the rooms are so small, the damage so extensive, the infestation of pests so prevalent and the infrastructure (pipes/wires) so corroded renovating it would be a loosing battle.
Food and Beverage operations are a bit dodgy - I'd avoid anything that isn't prepackaged. To save costs unless there is a large convention in house (which almost never happens) restaurants are now closed - but you're better off. I've seen the main kitchen and it is absolutely filthy. Rat droppings and traps are everywhere, grease is on every surface and there is a smell of rancid, rotten garbage.
If you find yourself in Syracuse consider staying in one of these other hotels.
Hawthorn Suites (only other downtown Hotel that you can't rent rooms by the hour - you think I'm joking) it's in Armory Square near tons of great restaurants, bars and the M*OST (museum). Beautiful property but is often at full occupancy.
Also check out the Marx hotel (the former Best Western) which has a bit of a dodgy past but recently underwent a major overhaul/renovation and is wonderful (complete with "Rain" showers).
The Genesee Inn isn't a bad night's sleep at $99 and was also recently renovated.
There is a Sheraton near the Syracuse University campus, which is atypical of a Sheraton, but the price gets steep and rooms are tough to find if there is any function going on at SU (which there almost always is).
Online reference check out www.hotelsyracuse.com (don't be fooled by the website)!
Stay safe in your travels.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
belynch
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Location: Nyack, NY
Reviews written: 64
Trusted by: 17 members
About Me:
A full-time consultant, a part-time writer, and a volunteer EMT.
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