ARLO HUDSON SQUARE

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In a city where real estate is a hot commodity and comes at a premium, Arlo Hotels is hoping to carve a niche market of micro hotel rooms for the true urban traveler. With a focus on design, amenities, and clever space saving solutions, the architect nerd inside me knew I had to check it out. Plus, since the hotel recently opened introductory rates made the idea even more agreeable.

Ideally located in the SoHo / West Village area of Manhattan, Arlo Hudson Square is a great starting point for any and all NYC adventures. Arriving at the hotel, you are immediately greeted by the staff at the front desk. Although a bit crammed (I found this space a bit crowded and chaotic most of the time), the space is light and bright, accented with pops of mustard and natural wood. To the left is the Bodega, a 24-hour pantry of sorts with hot coffee, fresh salads and sandwiches, and a variety of snacks for on-the-go travelers.

The hotel offers several micro room options including a king room, a queen room, twin bed rooms, and bunk rooms - all less than 200 sqft. A few rooms have private terraces that almost equal the size of the room itself. All the furniture is well designed and compact, made with rich woods and some colorful accents - my favorite piece was probably the fold out desk and accompanying stool. Initially, my friend and I had booked a queen room to share, but she wasn't feeling so hot so we opted to switch to a two bed room last minute, ultimately landing us in a bunk room!

For the two of us (average sized women), the room was roomy enough (haha) to move around and have each of our suitcases out of the way. The bathroom doesn't provide much privacy, so if you are shy/modest, this might not be the ideal place for you. I could also see how a larger guy might find the space cramped. In general, I think this hotel would be ideal for solo travelers or close friends.

The micro rooms force guests to spend most of their time in the common amenity spaces throughout the hotel, and this is definitely where Arlo has invested their money. Downstairs is a spacious lounge / library / coworking type space outfitted with comfy couches and armchairs, lots of charging ports, board games, and more. The space connects directly to a breezy outdoor courtyard as well as a downstairs bar. The hotel also boasts it's own restaurant - Harold's Meat + Three that serves up modern interpretations of casual southern fare. Cruise up to the rooftop where the "Good Story Bar" has both indoor and outdoor seating complemented by city and Hudson River views.

Would I stay at Arlo Hudson Square again? Most likely, especially if I am traveling solo.