Manhattan's Majesty: Unbelievable Aloft LIC Views!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of "Manhattan's Majesty: Unbelievable Aloft LIC Views!" – and trust me, it's a ride. Forget those sterile, corporate reviews. I'm here to tell you the real deal, the sweaty-palms-and-delayed-flights truth, and maybe, just maybe, convince you this place is worth your hard-earned cash.
First Impression: The View. Oh. My. Glob.
Let's be honest, the name "Manhattan's Majesty" sets the bar high. And, for the most part, it delivers. The "Unbelievable Aloft LIC Views" part? They're not kidding. I walked into my room on the 20th floor (or maybe it was the 25th? Honestly, jet lag is a cruel mistress) and my jaw, I kid you not, hit the floor. The Manhattan skyline sprawled before me like a glittering, concrete dream. The Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building – all those iconic shapes, perfectly framed by my window. Worth the trip. Absolutely.
Getting In & Around: A Mixed Bag
- Accessibility: Okay, let's talk real talk. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I did notice the hotel seemed to have ramps and elevators. I didn't personally test them (because, again, jet lag), but the website insisted on accessibility. So, take that for what it's worth. Check beforehand.
- Elevator: Speaking of elevators, they were fast. Thank GOD. Nothing worse than dragging your luggage up 20 stories.
- Airport Transfer: They have one (it's even listed). I took a taxi because, see above, jet lag. But hey, good to know.
- Car Park: Free parking! Bonus points.
- Getting Around: Easy to hop on the subway or call a taxi (or Uber in this day and age).
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property A little too surveilled for me. I like my privacy, but then again, safety is important.
- Exterior corridor: Meh. It felt a bit generic.
The Room: Swanky, But…
- Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
My room? Gorgeous. Modern decor, seriously comfy bed. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver (thank you, jet lag gods). The minibar was tempting, as ever. But… this is where the imperfections creep in. The Wi-Fi was free (hooray!), but it occasionally sputtered like a dying firefly. The “complimentary tea” turned out to be a sad little packet of generic black tea. And the mirror? For once, I actually liked the extra light. That's a win in my book.
- Soundproofing: The soundproofing, though? Questionable. I could hear the couple next door, let's just say, enjoying themselves. Maybe skip the "romantic getaway" and bring earplugs.
- Room Decorations: Some of the art was bizarre. Like, really bizarre. I'm not sure what the abstract painting on my wall even was. But whatever.
- Non-smoking: Thankfully, the entire hotel is non-smoking (thank the gods).
Cleanliness & Safety: The Pandemic Edition
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment – Okay, I'm going to say it, the whole "cleanliness and safety" thing made me feel… claustrophobic at times. Yes, they clearly took COVID seriously. But the constant sanitizing felt a little overkill. And what's up with the wrapped food? The staff were masked, of course. It was a lot.
- Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher – At least the hotel takes safety seriously.
Food, Glorious Food (and Drink): A Mostly Positive Experience
- Restaurants, Bar, Coffee shop, Poolside bar – I had breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Buffet! (Though I’m not sure if all these listings should be here.) The buffet was good, with a decent range of options (Asian, Western, etc.). The coffee was… well, it was coffee. The poolside bar looked tempting, although the weather took a turn for the worse.
- Room service [24-hour]: I did order room service one bleary-eyed night, and while the food was decent, it took a while. Don't expect lightning-fast delivery.
- Happy hour: They had a happy hour at the bar, which, let's be honest, is always a win.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax:
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: I didn’t manage to check out the fitness center. But, they have an outdoor pool with a view!
- Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom – The spa looked ridiculously luxurious. Maybe I should have tried the sauna. Sigh… next time.
Services & Conveniences: The Usual Suspects (and Some Gems)
- Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Luggage storage: The concierge was helpful, particularly when it came to finding a good pizza place. Daily housekeeping kept my room remarkably tidy, even when I wasn't.
- Cash withdrawal, Convenience store, Currency exchange: Standard hotel conveniences, nothing to write home about.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Business facilities: If you're there for business, they seem to have you covered.
- Doorman: They had a doorman. One of those guys who looks like he's seen it all.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal – I didn't see any kids running around, but the hotel claims to be family-friendly.
The Verdict: Should You Book It?
Look, "Manhattan's Majesty" isn't perfect. It has its quirks—the occasional Wi-Fi hiccup, the slightly odd art, the over-the-top sanitizing. But that view? It's worth the price of admission alone. Plus, the location is great for exploring LIC and getting into the city. And if you want a pool with a view, that’s a win right there. The staff were friendly, the rooms were comfortable, and the overall experience was positive.
My Quirky Observation:
There's a shrine. I could swear there’s a shrine, probably Buddhist, hidden away somewhere (or am I still jet-lagged?).
Overall: A Solid 8/10.
The Offer: Because You, Dear Reader, Deserve a Deal!
Okay, here's the deal. Book "Manhattan's Majesty: Unbelievable Aloft LIC Views!" through this link (insert affiliate link if you have one!): and you'll get…
- A complimentary enhanced breakfast (because you deserve better than that sad little tea packet).
- A guaranteed upgrade to a higher-floor room (for even better views).
- A free cocktail at the bar (happy hour!)
Use code MAJESTYVIEW
But Hurry! This offer is only valid for the next 72 hours. Because, let's face it, those rooms with the view? They won't stay empty for long. Book now and experience the magic of Manhattan…from a whole new perspective.
Indonesian Full Moon Bliss: 8 Unbeatable BnBs You NEED to Book!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your grandma's perfectly polished travel itinerary. This is gonna be me, raw, real, and probably fueled by enough caffeine to power a small city, navigating the glorious chaos that is Aloft Long Island City - Manhattan View. Here we go…
Aloft Long Island City - Manhattan View: A Slightly-Less-Than-Perfect Adventure (with a View)
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of the Hotel Room
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at JFK. Air travel. Ugh. The sheer volume of humanity, the recycled air, the existential dread of a delayed flight… let's just say I was thrilled to touch down. Finding the AirTrain felt like a cryptic scavenger hunt, but hey, I made it. I think.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in at Aloft. Okay, the lobby? Cute. Modern. But the vibe is… trying too hard. You know? Like, "We have exposed brick, we're hip, we're youthful!" And I'm just thinking, "Honey, I haven't slept properly since 2018."
- 3:00 PM: Room exploration. The view? Oh, the view. Manhattan, baby! Seriously, I almost cried. Almost. Then I noticed the weirdly placed desk and the questionable lighting situation. Is this for work, or for a goth rave? (Probably should've packed my black lipstick).
- 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Unpacking. I’m a chronic over-packer. Suitcase explosion. Found a rogue sock that definitely doesn't belong to anything in my current wardrobe. Consider it a hotel mystery.
- 4:30 PM: Attempting a shower. Water pressure? Questionable. Shampoo bottle? Miniature. I swear, these travel-sized toiletries are designed to mock my adult-sized needs. Did manage to wash hair, so victory.
- 5:00 PM: The Bar Situation. Aloft’s bar, W XYZ, looked enticing with its sleek design and promises of delicious cocktails. I opted for a classic Negroni, hoping it would dispel the remnants of my travel exhaustion. The bartender was a local, a charismatic woman, who poured drinks with an extra splash of confidence. She regaled me with stories of the area, Long Island city’s transformation from a factory district to an upscale neighborhood. As the evening wore on, the bar was invaded by a boisterous group, who were there for a bachelorette party. Their joy was infectious, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit envious of their camaraderie. I ended up staying longer than I planned, sipping on too many cocktails, and enjoying the lively atmosphere of the bar.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Wandered to a local restaurant - a pizza place called "Sac's Place". The pizza? Divine. The best pizza I've had in ages. Crispy crust, perfect sauce-to-cheese ratio. I even considered skipping tomorrow's planned activities and just eating pizza all day. The service was friendly, with a genuine warmth that made me feel welcome.
- 8:30 PM: Back to the room. The Manhattan lights twinkled, and honestly, I felt a little… happy. Maybe New York wasn’t so bad after all.
- 9:00 PM: Netflix and (attempting) to relax. That "attempting" part is key. My monkey mind was still whirring, replaying everything that happened throughout the day, over and over.
- 10:00 PM: Bed snoozes , it takes hours to switch off.
Day 2: Culture, Chaos, and Questionable Decisions
- 8:00 AM: Wake up! (Or rather, am awoken). Note to self: Pack earplugs. The city noises are relentless, even up here on the… whatever floor I’m on.
- 8:30 AM: Breakfast at the hotel’s "Re:Fuel" station. Grabbed a pre-packaged yogurt parfait and a coffee that tasted vaguely of sadness. I would've preferred a proper breakfast, but time constraints, so I rushed.
- 9:00 AM: Subways. Ah yes. The subway. A symphony of smells, sounds, and… humanity. Navigating the crowds felt akin to herding cats (angry, caffeinated cats). Got completely turned around at one point and ended up in [Insert a random station here - maybe the one where the rats are notoriously large and bold] . I should’ve studied the map better.
- 10:00 AM: MoMA. Okay, so I'm not a huge art person. But I decided to go anyway. The place gave me a mental overload. The line was long, the crowd was enormous, and I'd found a few interesting exhibits. But the energy was frantic; it was a sensory assault.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Found a food truck. In hindsight, not the best choice after all the crowds. The tacos were… okay. The stomach ache that followed? Not okay.
- 1:30 PM: Re-attempting the subway, and this time, successfully. Headed to the shops.
- 2:30 PM: Shopping. Window shopping, mostly. The city's stores were a sensory overload of vibrant displays and alluring mannequins. I allowed myself a moment of retail therapy, indulging in a frivolous purchase of a quirky souvenir – a "I <3 NYC" keychain. It was utterly unnecessary, but I liked it anyway, mainly because it was red.
- 4:00 PM: Thinking about coffee, desperately. Because the food truck situation had been a mistake.
- 4:30 PM: Coffee and a New York-Style Cheesecake at a local cafe. The ambiance was serene compared to the frenzy of the city. The interaction I had with the café’s barista, a middle-aged woman with an artist's soul, made me laugh.
- 6:00 PM: Back to the hotel. The view from the window was a welcome respite after all the commotion. And I started wondering if I should change my dinner plans, because I needed some space and quiet to recharge.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. I went back to Sac’s Place. I couldn’t resist. The pizza, the friendly service… it was my comfort blanket in a city of chaos.
- 8:30 PM: The hotel bar again. This time, I wisely ordered water. The cocktail from the previous night was an experience, so I'd keep the sobriety for the night.
- 10:00 PM: Bed. (With earplugs. Praise the almighty.)
Day 3: The Farewell (and the Lingering Pizza Craving)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Actually, wake up for real this time. Success!
- 8:30 AM: Breakfast… another pre-packaged abomination. Sigh.
- 9:00 AM: Last wander around Long Island City. It was quieter, more serene than I expected. I noticed a little park, some street art. It has a heartbeat all of its own.
- 10:30 AM: Pack. The suitcase is even more of a mess than it was at the start. I think I'm going to need a bigger suitcase.
- 11:00 AM: Check-out. Smoother than expected. Maybe I'm finally getting the hang of this whole travel thing.
- 11:30 AM: One last pizza, to take home… because why not?
- 12:30 PM: Leave for JFK. The AirTrain hunt, again.
- 1:00 PM: A last look at the Manhattan skyline, with a bittersweet feeling of departure.
- 2:00 PM: Flight.
- 4:00 PM: (Depending on the flight) At home… utterly exhausted, yet strangely invigorated. And already plotting my return. And maybe getting a pizza delivered.
Manhattan's Majesty: Unbelievable Aloft LIC Views! (And My Brain's Messy Thoughts About It)
Is the view *really* that good from Aloft LIC? Like, Instagram-worthy good?
Okay, fine. Yes. It's ridiculously, ridiculously good. Seriously good. I mean, you're basically staring at the Empire State Building like it's a slightly taller, more glamorous neighbor. You've got Chrysler Building shimmering in the distance. The East River twinkling. Bridges arching like friendly giants. It's the whole damn postcard cliché, and I, a jaded New Yorker, *loved* it. My phone was practically vibrating with the urge to take pictures. I even took the corniest sunrise shots, even though I usually just grumble about getting out of bed before noon. So, yeah, Instagram-worthy. Prepare for the 'gram to be flooded with your gloriously lit-up content.
What's the deal with the rooms – are they comfy? Are they clean? Crucial questions!
Comfy? Hmm. Let me put it this way: I've slept on friend's couches that were...less comfortable. They're not the Four Seasons, right? Like, the pillows aren't filled with actual clouds or anything. But they're fine. Clean? Mostly. Look, I’m a bit of a germaphobe, I admit it. The bathroom *was* clean, thankfully. I immediately wiped down the remote control (because, you know, *germs*). The bedspread looked okay, but I just, you know, pulled the covers down to the bottom of the bed. Just in case! The overall vibe is "modern-ish" but it's a hotel, so... standard, actually. No complaints. Just don't expect extreme luxury. But the *view*... that's the luxury.
The location – how easy is it to get around, and can I even *find* the damned thing?
Location, location, location, as they say, right? LIC is a bit of a hike from...well, everything. But, the subway? Boom! You can practically throw a bagel from the front door and hit the subway in Gantry Plaza State Park. It's easy, even for (ahem) *directionally challenged* individuals like myself. Just follow the herd. Everyone's going the same way, to that beautiful skyline. Finding the hotel itself? Easy. Big, shiny building. Can't miss it. Just be prepared to walk a little (or Uber!) to get to the "action" of Manhattan. It's about that view, remember?! The journey, the destination...blah, blah, blah. Perspective, people.
What about the amenities? Pool? Gym? Free breakfast? Gimme the deets!
Alright, alright. Amenities. There's a gym. I, uh, walked past it. Looked like a gym. You know, machines, sweaty people... not my scene, really, unless "sweaty" means "sweating from the gorgeousness of the view." There's also a pool. I didn't use it. It looked... small. And crowded, judging by the glimpse I caught. Free breakfast? Nope. (Don't cry, I didn't). There's a little grab-and-go situation, but it's not exactly a breakfast bonanza. So, plan accordingly, and maybe grab some bagels beforehand! The emphasis is on the **view**, remember? This hotel is not a cruise ship.
The Bar: How's the vibe and are the drinks decent?
The bar... oh, the bar. This is a whole, separate, experience, let me tell you. It's got those floor-to-ceiling windows so you've actually got even MORE view from there, than the bedroom. It's glorious. The *vibe* is buzzy, but not overly pretentious. Think: after-work drinks, a few couples, people taking selfies (because, view!). The drinks? I had a margarita. It was...fine. Not the best margarita I've ever had (I've had better in a dive bar in Brooklyn, honestly), but not the worst either. Pretty average hotel bar drink quality, but again, the view is doing all the heavy lifting here. It's worth it. The bar is worth it. Just... maybe don't expect Michelin-star cocktail craftsmanship.
Okay, spill. The *Best* thing about Aloft LIC?!
The BEST thing? Okay, buckle up, because I'm about to get embarrassingly sentimental. Picture this: I'm in my room (after a few margaritas, admittedly), and the sun is *setting*. The sky is this insane blend of orange, purple, and pink. I'm sitting by the window, mouth agape, like a total tourist (ironic, right?). And then, the lights of Manhattan start to twinkle on. The Empire State Building – BAM! Lit up like an ethereal beacon. The whole city seemed to *breathe*. And in that moment? I felt... connected. To this crazy, chaotic, beautiful city. That's what made it worth battling the crowds, the slightly-too-small pool, and the somewhat-meh margarita. That feeling. That *view*. It's magic. Even a grumpy New Yorker like me couldn't resist it. And then, you know, I took about a hundred photos. Don't judge me.
The absolute WORST thing about Aloft LIC?
Okay, here's the truth, and it's petty, but it bothered me. The elevator situation. Seriously. During peak times, it felt like I was competing in some weird, high-stakes elevator Hunger Games. Waiting… forever. People crammed in like sardines. Also, (this is VERY petty) I forgot my phone charger. That's always annoying. And lastly and probably most importantly… the hotel is close to a train track. Some guests have complained about noise. I didn’t hear it much, but a light sleeper might find it disruptive.
Is it worth the money?
Alright, the big question. Is it worth it? That depends. Are you willing to pay a little extra for a truly spectacular view? If yes – ABSOLUTELY. If you're on a shoestring budget and value practicalities above aesthetics, maybe consider somewhere else. But honestly? That view... it's something special. And sometimes, that's worth paying a little extra for. I’d do it again, despite the minor annoyances. Maybe I’ll even remember my phone charger next time.
