Note: This is a fictional, first-person review written for creative purposes.
Why I Picked It
I wanted a clean, cheap bed near Central Park. Simple. The Belnord Hotel sits on the Upper West Side, a short walk from the B/C and 1 trains at 86th Street. I like that area. Brownstones, dogs, quiet streets after 10 pm. Also, Zabar’s. Need I say more?
I booked three nights, midweek. Solo trip. Backpack and a small roller bag. I wasn’t after a spa. I just needed a place to sleep, shower, and stash my stuff.
For readers who like the blow-by-blow version of a stay, I've put together a fuller photo-heavy recap here: My no-frills Upper West Side stay at the Belnord Hotel.
Check-In: Quick and a Little Tight
The lobby is small and bright. It smells like lemon cleaner. Check-in took maybe five minutes. The front desk agent, Maya, smiled but kept it moving. She handed me a key card and a little map of the neighborhood. They held my bag for two hours before check-in—no fee. That helped a ton because I wanted to walk the park.
The elevator is tiny. Two people with bags and it’s full. I waited about three minutes at 6 pm. Not a deal breaker, just plan for it.
The Room: Tiny But Clean
Let me explain the size. Picture your outstretched arms. That’s about the width. I counted ten steps from door to window. Still, it felt fresh. White duvet. Firm bed. Two pillows. A narrow desk with a chair that tucks under, tight.
There’s no closet, just wall hooks and a small shelf. I used my packing cubes like drawers. It worked. The window looked into a quiet courtyard. No big view, but you know what? I slept better that way.
The bathroom made me laugh a little. It’s compact. I could wash my face and kick the shower wall by accident. But the shower had strong water pressure, and hot water hit in about 10 seconds. I liked the little shelf for my face wash. Towels were soft enough, not fancy. No body lotion, so bring your own. Also, no fridge or coffee maker.
Noise-wise, it was calm. I heard one door slam once. The AC hummed like a white-noise app. I kept it on low and slept fine.
Wi-Fi and Work Stuff
I ran a quick speed test: 78 Mbps down, 38 up. Netflix ran smooth. A 30-minute video call didn’t drop. Two outlets by the bed, one by the desk. I brought a tiny power strip, which helped. If you travel with a lot of gear, you’ll be glad you did.
Housekeeping and Odds and Ends
Housekeeping was by request. I asked for fresh towels on day two. They came while I was out. The trash got emptied. No fuss. I also asked for an extra pillow. Luis at the desk found one in five minutes and handed it over with a grin.
A small thing: the key card didn’t read once. I had to go back down. It was a 60-second fix, but with the slow elevator, it turned into five minutes. Patience helps here.
The Neighborhood: This Is Why You Book It
This part of the Upper West Side feels safe and neighborly. Early morning, you see joggers heading to the park. School kids roll by on scooters. I walked to Central Park in about 10 minutes. The Museum of Natural History took me roughly 12 minutes on foot. If you’ve got kids or you just love dinosaurs, that’s gold.
Food is easy:
- Zabar’s for bagels and coffee. I stood by the window and ate a sesame bagel with scallion cream cheese like it was a tiny holiday.
- Levain Bakery on a slow afternoon—split a chocolate chip cookie with myself, which makes no sense, but you get it.
- Jacob’s Pickles for a big dinner. Loud, fun, and way more food than I needed.
- Barney Greengrass for old-school smoked fish. Cashiers move quick; know your order.
Subway tips: Take the 1 train at 86th for Times Square. For the West Side parks and downtown, it’s easy. The B/C is great for the Museum of Natural History and heading to Columbus Circle.
What I Liked
- Price for the area. My wallet took a breath.
- Clean, simple room. No mystery stains. No weird smells.
- Location. Park, museums, coffee, trains. All nearby.
- Staff helped fast, even when it was busy.
- Courtyard-facing room was quiet at night.
What Bugged Me
- The room is small. Like, really small. If you need floor space, you’ll grumble.
- No fridge, no coffee maker, no gym. It’s bare bones.
- Elevator can be slow during check-in hours.
- Only a few outlets. Bring a small power strip or a multi-port charger.
- The sink is tiny. Splash zone alert.
That said, when a property does have a decent fitness center, I make a point of testing it out—sometimes reluctantly. Case in point: the time I actually used the hotel gym and didn’t hate it.
Who Should Stay Here
- Solo travelers who just need a clean base.
- Couples who pack light and don’t mind bumping elbows.
- Folks who care more about the neighborhood than hotel fluff.
If you prefer a similarly well-located property with a touch more style, you might consider booking a room at The Hotel Modern, which blends contemporary design with easy access to the city's highlights.
Quick Tips From My Stay
- Ask for a courtyard room if you want quiet.
- Bring a small power strip and your own travel kettle if morning coffee matters.
- Grab breakfast at Zabar’s, then walk Central Park. It’s the move.
- If you want a gym, try a day pass at the Crunch on 83rd.
- Keep your bags light. The small elevator and room size make that easier.
Solo travelers who’d rather not explore Manhattan’s streets alone—and are curious about arranging a more mutually beneficial form of companionship for those walks through Central Park—might appreciate this primer on the concept of a “sugar baby walker” hosted by One Night Affair, which unpacks how such meet-ups work, outlines safety and etiquette, and helps you decide whether hiring a charismatic companion is the right move for your next city adventure.
Travelers brushing up on their French before hitting New York—and anyone with a mischievous sense of humor—might get a kick out of a cheeky mini-lesson on how to compliment a particularly “bon derrière”: Le bon cul. The article is explicit yet playful, offering street-smart slang you won’t find in standard language guides and guaranteed to spark a laugh on your next café chat.
The Bottom Line
The Belnord is a no-frills crash pad in a great spot. Clean bed. Hot shower. Solid Wi-Fi. That’s the whole pitch, and it delivers. I’d book it again for a short, park-centric trip when I’m out all day and just want a quiet place to sleep. It’s not fancy. It doesn’t try to be. Honestly, that’s kind of the charm.
If you’re gathering ideas for future trips beyond New York, you can see how I hopped across the Croatian coast—complete with pillow ratings—in my roundup of six favorite hotels in Split.