150 East 34th St.
New York, NY 10016
212-481-7600
Affinia.com
By Jane Feehan
It’s hard to find a mid-priced hotel in New York with
spacious rooms, but Affinia Dumont holds that distinction. Another plus: all rooms have kitchens, perfect for a
long-term stay. Affinia Dumont, a 37-floor boutique inn located in the Murray Hill area
near some of the best parts of Lexington, Park and Madison avenues, is one of
several Affinias in New York and other cities.
There’s no restaurant on the premises but one adjacent to
the building, the Barking Dog, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a
full bar (fills the stomach but no it's no culinary experience). Room service is available from there and also from a restaurant half a block away, the
Cinema Café. Murray Hill Diner sits
close by. This is a youngish neighborhood with plenty of bars and inexpensive eateries
bursting with the 20 something crowd (Yeshiva University is nearby) but options
for the older, more sedate group abound.
The original Macy’s stands a few blocks away and so does the Empire
State Building - both on 34th Penn Station (also on 34th), its
adjacent Madison Square Garden, and
Grand Central Station lie within one subway stop. Most
hotels in NYC sit near some sight or another but one of the benefits of
staying at the Affinia Dumont is that it’s conveniently distant from the madding tourist crowds
of Times Square and Rockefeller Center.
Street.
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| View from the 24th Floor |
Affina Dumont’s 24 hour-gym (which supports the healthy living theme of this hotel) is large with plenty of
equipment. There’s also a spa (the carpet is gloomy and old here, my only criticism
of the place). The view from the upper floors is spectacular. Seven rooms on each floor makes for quiet, restful quarters. Parties in rooms are strictly prohibited - a good thing.The hotel is pet
friendly, its staff outstanding with helpful concierge, bellmen and housekeepers. Conference rooms and event catering available. I’ll be back and will look into the Affina brand in other cities I visit.
What’s near:
Hair salon – Dramatics NYC (west of Affinia, same street) – excellent for men and women and very affordable (color, cut and style
less than $100 - the best styling I’ve ever had). Ask for Bebe.
Murray Hill Market
– sandwiches, groceries (sorry – no wine, NY has weird liquor laws)
Food Emporium - Grocery store with some organics - a block away on 3rd Ave near 33rd St.
D'Agostino - Grocery store - 3rd Ave. at 35th Street
Food Emporium - Grocery store with some organics - a block away on 3rd Ave near 33rd St.
D'Agostino - Grocery store - 3rd Ave. at 35th Street
Park Avenue Liquors – short walk on 34th St toward Park Avenue
Windsor Wine - 3rd Ave. between 33rd and 34th streets
Windsor Wine - 3rd Ave. between 33rd and 34th streets
Duane Read – drug
store – one on every corner
East
Pacific Pan Asian Bistro – inexpensive, noisy, full bar, sushi and Chinese - fair
Grand Sichuan - Chinese food on Lexington - Very good, short walk and fast delivery
Grand Sichuan - Chinese food on Lexington - Very good, short walk and fast delivery
