La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Queens (New York City) — Attraction in New York

We stayed here just after Christmas for one night. The location is actually pretty good for the price considering that it is located within a short 5 minute walk to the subway and bus stations. Booking was done online with no issues. However, when we tried to call the phone number for this hotel, it would redirect us to an extension that ended up being a dead number. We could not get in touch with anyone at the hotel at all by phone. When we did arrive we didn't have any issues checking in, and in fact the staff was friendly and were able to assist us with basic necessities.

We got a room overlooking the 7 train tracks. From inside the room, noise level from the outside is tolerable, but we did hear quite a bit from passing traffic and pedestrians. Noise coming from the hallway is pretty bad, people opening doors next to our room and people screaming can easily be heard as if the walls were paper-thin. Other than that the room itself was ok and we didn't have any issues with the heating, considering that the temperature outside was nearly in the single digits at night time. In fact, we found ourselves putting on the AC because the heat was more than sufficient. There's is a refrigerator, but as with most hotel fridges, it can take a while to cool things stored inside. The TV is a basic flat screen.

There is only one elevator, which, during the free breakfast time, will be under extreme usage and might take a while to serve everyone. There is a flight of stairs next to it in case of emergencies. In addition to an elevator they actually have a separate lift which we had to use for our one year old's stroller to move it from ground level to the 2nd floor, though the controls only seem to work from the bottom level even though there are separate controls up top.

To elaborate more on the free breakfast, it was decent. I remember staying here only a few years ago and they actually had a waffle maker that was not present this time. The choices for breakfast included various bagels, English muffins, water, Tang orange juice, cereals and milk, and a coffee machine. There were also hot sausages and the usual hotel eggs, which are eggs made from a powder mix. They're easy to spot as they are simply yellow flappy disks. Notably absent were any fresh fruit options. There is a microwave, a toaster, and a manual bread slicer for convenience. Space is limited but breakfast can be taken back up to the rooms.

Parking was free during our stay but it is on a first come, first served basis, and space is very limited. If you miss out on a spot there are some pay lots across the street under the 7 tracks. There are a few spots in front of the building where you could park temporarily to unload the car.

As for other amenities they have a small computer room and what looks like a small conference center that can be used. Surprisingly there's also a small fitness center with some basic cable machines and treadmills.

Overall, it's a good hotel with a good price, and we will likely stay here again, but the sound proofing would really make a big improvement. The phone number is either no good or staff just does not want to answer.

PROTIP: free overnight parking for the duration of stay, and free breakfast every morning. Also, the hotel is within walking distance of a train and bus station.

PROS: rooms have basic necessities, good location for the price, good front desk service, fitness center for those who want to exercise.

CONS: you will hear doors slamming, conversations from other rooms, and other unwanted noises, number to call the hotel is either incorrect or nobody seems to pick up even calling a few...

Terrible! This was recommended by another sister hotel of Wyndham that I normally stay in, which usually is decent. Unfortunately, with very limited time and options, I gave this a shot. I initially thought, hey, it wouldn't be too horrible. But nope, nope, nope. It is petrifying!

Building: Needs updating for sure. To get to the elevator from the check in desk (first floor) is very inconvenient. Especially if you have lots of luggage. The elevator is located on the second floor. However, they do have a lift to the second floor which I assume is for people with disabilities.

Receptionist: The female was very understanding and accommodating. However, the male staff that wears dark square rimmed glasses is rude and not helpful at all. He gave me so much trouble in checking out where initially, he told me i can not check out. In the midst of our argument, he said being in the hotel premises was against the law?? Literally went off tangent and finally said you don't have to do anything to check out? He never or rather, he never gave me the chance to even tell him what room I was in. (BTW, to cancel the room is more expensive then booking the room itself.)

Communication: Horrible. Does not respond to phone calls, emails and can't even leave a voicemail to follow up. (Their mailbox is full)

Parking: Yes they have parking, but it is first comes first serve and barely attached to the hotel. There is no entrance from the inside to the lot. There is only one entrance to the lot and that is when you first drive in. You have to go out of the hotel and walk around towards the back of the building. It is very small and limited. To park here, you would need to play tetris with other cars if you want to park at a spot that would not block other people but also gives you room to get out of the lot. If you run out of luck with their parking lot, they tell you to park under the bridge that is across the street. It is sketchy, not free and is home to a lot of drunkards.

Safety: Dimly lighted hallways. I feel like anyone can just follow you into your room and it will be hard to even get help. There are too many dead zones that the camera does not catch. (there are dead zones in the parking lot as well. I asked if there was parking and the receptionist said they don't know as the camera can not capture the lot fully. There was also an instance around 6am- early 7am, when I went back and forth in bringing down luggage (took 30 min) and within that duration, I've noticed no one was at the window (where all the screens for security are on display)

Room: Very outdated. Dusty and has only one lamp for lighting the room. I had to switch my first room as once I walked in, there was a foul wet feet smell. My second room fortunately didn't smell, but, there was bathroom mold, water stains on ceilings, rusty/dusty racks where the towels were placed. Shower curtain has mildew on it. Bathroom walls has cracks and peeling on the wall can be seen. Carpet was very dirty. Bed sheets has apparent old stains and within those old stains, you can clearly tell it was old blood stains. The heater/ac probably has an inch thick dust on the vents and you wonder if you should even turn...

If you take anything away from this review, the price is NOT WORTH THE ROOM.

The key cards to enter the room did not work; the receptionist, Mr. Patel, indicated he saw us struggling on the camera, and came upstairs to assist us. He claimed that the battery must be dead, and he let us in with his own key, then told us that someone would always be at reception to let us into our room, while offering no other solution.

Once we were in the room, the smell of cigarette smoke immediately was overwhelming, enough so that I strongly debated whether or not to request another room, as this one should have been non-smoking. Ultimately, we decided not to do so, as we doubted the others would smell any better. Upon entering the room, the floor by the door was stained with something white, one of the paintings had broken glass inside the frame and the walls were dusty/sticky with residue, and dirt caked the space behind the side table. The bathroom was the cleanest part of the room, with only the curtains being mildly yellowed, however, there were hairs on the sink that did not belong to either of us. We were exhausted, hungry, and dirty, so I checked the towels to make sure they were clean and showered. After I showered, I went back into the room and put pajamas on while my friend showered.

While she was showering, I decided to check the bed to make sure the sheets were clean, unstained, no bed bugs, etc. When I lifted the sheets, there was a stain on the mattress pad. When I lifted the mattress from the box spring/base, I discovered a dried, used condom directly in the center of the bed. After moving the mattress more in order to photograph/video the condom, I discovered the smoke detector stashed between the mattress.

Even aside from the uncleanliness of the bathroom and hotel room, the scent of cigarette smoke, and the non-functional key cards, a used condom under the mattress and a hidden smoke detector are both incredibly concerning. A used condom could be a carrier for multiple STIs or other diseases, and the complete lack of a functional smoke detector could have resulted in serious injury or death should there have been an emergency.

We went back downstairs to speak with the receptionist, and while we were waiting, another guest was complaining that his key cards were not working to get into his room; this was not an isolated incident. We were informed that, as he is not the housekeeper, the receptionist bears no responsibility for the cleanliness or state of the room, and advised that he was unable to give us a refund for our stay, and we would have to contact his manager who would be in the next morning (Saturday, Sept. 3). The next morning, I called La Quinta. The first time I called, no one answered; the second time, no one answered. On the third time, I was promptly informed that the manager was not working, and would not be in until Monday morning (September 5), and only then between 8 or 9 am - 11 am EST. I did not contact him, as I do not believe anyone who allows their hotel to fall into such disgust and disrepair would be accommodating, and I contacted Wyndham customer service instead to...