Lonely Planet Review
Like a stray adrift from the East Village, the four-floor Carlton Arms is a combat-boots, rock'n'roll hotel that feels almost like you're walking into a rehearsal space. Artfully decorated rooms, stairways and hallways run the gamut from rhinos to moonscapes.
The 54 gritty-but-fun rooms mix it up. One has a pillared-to-ceiling bed on a raised platform, and mix and match pieces, another has a ruby-coloured bed spread over blue shag-pile carpet and Venitian style murals. Some come with a small private bath - just a tub and toilet which are a little dated (like everything). All come with air-con (and ash trays). Hallways are also works of art. The top floor is done up like Egypt, with princess sculptures and murals. There's no real hang-out spot, but things are more hostel-like than most hotels. Recently the hotel has started staging room-to-room 'plays', where the audience follows the actors around. There's a small Internet room and plenty of cheap eats in the neighbouring blocks.
Review by author
Robert Reid