NYC's Galaxy Motel: Out-of-This-World Stays You Won't Believe!
NYC's Galaxy Motel: Out-of-This-World Stays You Won't Believe!
NYC's Galaxy Motel: A Review From Someone Who Actually Stayed (Prepare for Take-Off!)
Alright, folks. Let's be honest, finding a decent hotel in NYC without selling a kidney is an achievement in itself. But the Galaxy Motel, with its promises of "Out-of-This-World Stays You Won't Believe!"? Well, I had to see it. I'm talking about a journey, a mission, a… well, a weekend away. And guess what? I'm back, slightly jet-lagged, and ready to spill the (cosmic) beans.
First Impressions: Landing Zone (and a Tiny Hitch!)
Okay, so the exterior isn't quite a spaceship. More like a cleverly-themed motel, which is totally fine! The exterior corridor took me straight back to some classic motels of yesteryear. The 24-hour front desk was a lifesaver, especially after my red eye. Check-in? Smooth, thanks to the contactless check-in/out (score!). A quick tip: the valet parking is worth it unless you enjoy circling the block for an hour. Because, you know, NYC. They have a car park [free of charge] too, but good luck finding a space!
Now, here’s my first (minor) gripe: the elevator. It's not the flashiest, and I may have slightly panicked when it stopped between floors for a hot second. But hey, at least it's there! And the facilities for disabled guests were evident: ramps, wider doorways – all good signs for Accessibility.
Orbiting the Room: Comfort & Cosmological Cozy-ness
My room? Let's just say it was clean. Like, seriously, cleanliness and safety were clearly a priority (more on that later). They've really doubled down with the Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services, and even room sanitization opt-out available. I never felt unsafe, which is a HUGE plus these days.
The room itself? Cozy. Comfortable. And yes, the "galaxy" theme was subtle but present. Think star-shaped lamps, a nebula-esque painting on the wall, and strategically placed "moon rocks" (aka, smooth river stones). The non-smoking rooms were a definite win, and the soundproof rooms were a godsend, especially considering the city's symphony of sirens.
The Room Features - A Deep Dive: They packed a lot into a relatively small space. Great for a single traveler or a couple.
- Internet Access is Easy
- Wi-Fi [free] - Yep, it works and it's fast. Crucial for binge-watching and posting photos. They really deliver on the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!
- Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN - You have options.
- The Essentials:
- Air conditioning and black out curtains: The air conditioning was a life saver during the hot summer days.
- Bathtub and separate shower/bathtub: I love a good soak.
- Coffee/tea maker - Essential!
- Desk and Laptop workspace - Worked for me.
- In-room safe box - Always appreciated.
- Refrigerator - Great for drinks and leftovers.
- Hair dryer and mirror - Check!
- Reading light, socket near the bed - Convenience is bliss
- Mini bar - Could be better stoked but present.
- Complimentary tea and free bottled water - Lovely touches.
- Smoke detector, alarm clock, and wake-up service: Peace of mind is key
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (A Culinary Galaxy Far, Far Away?)
Okay, this is where things get… interesting. The Galaxy Motel boasts a few options. They have Restaurants, a Coffee shop, and a Bar.
- The Restaurant: This is where things got a little star-crossed. The menu promised International cuisine in restaurant and Asian cuisine in restaurant with Vegetarian restaurant options. I'm a sucker for a good Asian breakfast, so I dove in. The Asian breakfast was… okay. Let's call it "interpretive." The Breakfast [buffet] was probably the better option for a more reliable meal.
- The Bar: The Happy hour at the bar was a definite win. They had some decent cocktails, and the atmosphere was lively.
- Snack Bar: The Snack bar was a lifesaver for those late-night cravings.
- Room Service: Room service [24-hour] is heavenly and easy.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: A Spa Day Among the Stars (Sort Of)
The Galaxy Motel has a Fitness center, and a Spa/sauna. I tried the Fitness center. It was… compact. But it had the essentials, which is enough!
The spa, though? Now that was something. I didn’t spring for the whole shebang — Body scrub, body wrap, massage etc. — but I did go for a simple massage, and it was blissful. Okay, maybe not blissful, but it was definitely relaxing. They do a great job. They even had a Pool with view and a Swimming pool [outdoor] (though I didn't have time to try them).
Safety, Cleanliness, and Peace of Mind: Crucial in the City That Never Sleeps
Here's where the Galaxy Motel really shines. They've clearly taken safety and hygiene seriously, a HUGE selling point in this day and age. They have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, which made me feel secure. Plus, the staff took the staff trained in safety protocol seriously. The fact that they offer things like Cashless payment service and Individually-wrapped food options is a testament to their commitment. And the Doctor/nurse on call and First aid kit were reassuring.
Services and Conveniences: From Luggage to Laundry – They've Got You Covered
Talk about services: concierge, daily housekeeping, dry cleaning, laundry service, luggage storage, and safety deposit boxes. I mean, they think of everything! The gift/souvenir shop was a nice touch for picking up a little something. They even had a convenience store for those last-minute essentials. The availability of facilities for disabled guests is a huge plus.
Things for the Kids (if you have them!)
They are Family/child friendly and have Kids facilities and can arrange for babysitting service and provide Kids meal.
Accessibility: Making it Easy for Everyone
They really do a great job. I didn’t use any of the special features, but from what other people told me, the Accessibility is there and it's taken seriously along with Elevator!
Getting Around: The Transportation Galaxy
- Airport transfer: Easy
- Car park [on-site] and Car park [free of charge]: Convenient
- Taxi service: Available
- Car power charging station: a plus!
The Verdict: Blast Off or Bust?
Look, the Galaxy Motel isn't a luxury experience. It's not the Ritz. It is a solid, comfortable, and clean motel in NYC that offers excellent value for the price. They have a commitment to safety that is reassuring, and the whimsical theme adds a touch of fun. And the bar? Worth a visit for a cheeky cocktail. So, would I recommend it? Absolutely. Especially if you're looking for a well-priced, clean, and convenient base camp for exploring the city. I give it… four out of five nebulas.
Final Thoughts (and a little rambling):
I went in with low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised. There's a certain charm to the Galaxy Motel. It doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It's a good value, a safe space, and a fun experience. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the location was convenient. I'd definitely go back.
My Emotional Takeaway:
I felt safe. I felt looked after. I felt like I got a great deal. And frankly, after a weekend in New York, that's all I wanted.
A Few Extra Bits:
- They have safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, and Sterilizing equipment.
- You can even request room sanitization opt-out available, which shows how versatile they are.
- I didn’t see the Couple's room.
- They have meeting/banquet facilities, meetings, seminars, and outdoor venue for special events, but I didn’t use these.
Here's the Offer (for those looking for a deal!):
Blast Off to NYC with the Galaxy Motel!
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Alright, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into a Galaxy Motel (NY) experience. Forget your pristine itineraries, because this is gonna be a glorious, chaotic mess mirroring my own travels. This is gonna be… real.
ITINERARY: Galaxy Motel, New York - A Symphony of Socks and Existential Dread (Probably)
DAY 1: Arrival & Immediate Regret (Maybe Not Regret, Just… Questioning)
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown, JFK. The roar of the engine, the cacophony of the terminal…it's all very… New York. Finding the AirTrain feels like navigating the Mines of Moria, except instead of a Balrog, you're dodging screaming tourists and the existential dread that will inevitably become your travel companion. I swear, I saw a guy arguing with a vending machine. Classic.
- 2:30 PM: Taxi to the Galaxy Motel. Okay, Google Maps, you said “30 minutes.” Lies. ALL LIES. Traffic is a beast, the driver smells vaguely of stale cigarettes and ambition, and I'm pretty sure we're passing the same bodega for the third time. I start to wonder if I should've flown into LaGuardia. Nah, the universe is testing me, probably.
- 3:15 PM: Arrival at the Galaxy Motel. The neon sign…well, it glows. That's the most positive thing I can say right now. The parking lot looks like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie, except the cars are slightly less rusty. Check-in is… efficient. The receptionist has seen it all, I can tell in her eyes, and she's probably a psychic.
- 3:45 PM: Room Assessment. Okay, here we go. Key in the lock… click… groan… The door opens. First impression: "It smells like… a motel." Which is to say, a complex blend of cleaning chemicals, something vaguely floral, and a lingering ghost of questionable decisions. The carpet looks like it's seen centuries of foot traffic. Deep breath. I'm gonna survive this. I have to.
- 4:00 PM: Found The bed is… a bed. It's there. I spot a lone sock under the bed. My own. I'm already losing it and it's only been a few hours.
- 4:30 PM: Wandering. Can't stay in the room. I need air. I need… something. Maybe a decent coffee. The surrounding area is… interesting. A deli with a sign promising “the best pastrami on earth,” a laundromat, a guy yelling on a corner. New York is definitely… New Yorking.
- 5:00 PM: Coffee & Attempted Orientation. Found a little coffee shop around the corner. The barista is wearing a Slayer t-shirt and looks like she hasn’t slept in days. She gives me a withering look when I ask for almond milk, but hey, at least the coffee is strong. Trying to figure out the subway map is a nightmare. It's like a Jackson Pollock painting designed by a sadist.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner & Existential Reflections. Grabbed a slice of pizza from the deli. It’s greasy, delicious, and exactly what I needed. Sitting on a stoop, eating pizza, staring out at the city’s glow… I kind of love it. Maybe this whole trip won't be a disaster. Maybe. Probably.
- 7:00 PM: Back to the Motel. A strange feeling settles over me. Alone in the room, I contemplate the meaning of it all. The dim lighting, the distant sirens… This is where the stories start, the memories are made. I open my laptop. Day one complete.
- 7:30 PM: Shower. Ah, the shower. Questionable water pressure, but hot water. That's… a win.
- 8:00 PM: "Trying" to sleep - The street noise. It's a symphony of car horns, shouting, and the distant rumble of the subway. Good luck getting any sleep. I try blocking it out of my ears. Nope. It won't go away. The bed is not particularly comfortable either.
- 8:30 PM: Give up on sleep. The walls are thin, I swear I can hear the guy next door snore like a chainsaw. Open my laptop. Start to plan for tomorrow. New York must be conquered.
- 9:00 PM: More pizza. Pizza is my only friend.
DAY 2: "Doing Things" & The Subway's Embrace (Or Crushing Grip)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Or rather, succumb to the relentless assault of sunlight seeping through the curtains. The sock is still under the bed. I should've cleaned yesterday.
- 8:30 AM: Coffee, again. The barista this time scowls, and I'm now pretty sure she's a warlock. Maybe. Definitely.
- 9:30 AM: The Subway Experience. Okay, this is where things get interesting. The subway is a living, breathing organism. It's hot, it's crowded, it smells like… everything. And the delays! Oh, the delays! I think I spent a solid 45 minutes underground just waiting for a train.
- 11:00 AM: Time Square. Nope. I'm out. So… many people. The lights, the billboards, the noise…it’s sensory overload. I take a photo of the crowd, turn around and walk away.
- 12:00 PM: Museum. Art, history… I'm trying to fit in. I feel like I’m a tourist. I hate being a tourist. But the art is nice.
- 2:00 PM: Snack break. Must. Find. Food. Found a hot dog cart. The hot dog is… acceptable. The musty smell of the cart is not.
- 3:00 PM: Exploring the neighborhoods. The side streets are a different story. So much cooler. So much to see.
- 6:00 PM: Wandering around. It's starting to get dark, and the city’s energy is shifting. The streetlights come on, neon signs glow and reflect on the wet pavements, the city is coming to life.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner. Found a little pub with happy hour specials.
- 10:00 PM: Back to the motel. Ready to hit the hay.
DAY 3: Goodbye Galaxy, Goodbye (Maybe) Sanity
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. The sock… still there.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. I get a bagel. I'm a New Yorker now.
- 10:00 AM: Pack. The bag is a mess of clothes.
- 11:00 AM: Check-out. The check-out is easy. I'm thankful.
- 12:00 PM: Taxi. The taxi is a mess. The driver is interesting. The city is good.
- 1:00 PM: Airport. The airport.
- 2:00 PM: Flight. The flight home.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The Galaxy Motel. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't pretty. But it was real. It was grit, grime, and a healthy dose of existential unease. And maybe, just maybe, that’s what makes a trip memorable. Would I go back? Probably not. But I'll remember it forever. The sock, the sirens, the city… New York, you glorious, chaotic, beautiful beast. Till next time… maybe.
P.S. I think I lost another sock.
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Galaxy Motel: Lost in Space... or Just Lost? Your Burning Questions Answered (and My Personal Rant)
Okay, buckle up buttercups. You're thinking of the Galaxy Motel? Prepare for a cosmic rollercoaster. I’ve been there. Twice. Maybe three times? (Memory's a fickle thing, especially after the, uh, 'questionable' breakfast buffet). Let's dive in. And fair warning: I'm not sugarcoating *anything*.
1. Okay, is it *actually* themed like space? Like, genuinely?
Alright, here’s the thing. “Themed” is… generous. Think less futuristic spaceship and more… a 1970s laser tag arena decided to become a budget motel. Yes, there are stars painted on the ceiling (some of them maybe glitter, definitely some that are peeling). Yes, there are space-related posters. Think cheesy, not chic. My *personal* favorite? A faded poster of what I *think* was a nebula – but honestly, it just looked like a giant, poorly-executed tie-dye. It’s got charm, in a "so-bad-it's-amazing" kind of way. If you're expecting the Ritz, you'll be weeping into your complimentary instant coffee (more on that later...).
2. What's the cleanliness situation? Be brutally honest.
Okay, this is where things get… complicated. Let's just say the Galaxy Motel's cleaning crew operates on their own, uh, celestial schedule. I once found a rogue Cheerio on my nightstand. It wasn't *fresh*. Let's put it that way. The sheets? Appear to have been… attempted to be cleaned. I'd recommend bringing your own. Seriously. Pack those Clorox wipes. And maybe a hazmat suit, just in case. (Kidding! Mostly.)
3. The breakfast... I've heard things. What horrors await?
Oh, the breakfast. Prepare yourself. This is less a culinary experience and more a test of your intestinal fortitude. Picture this: a lukewarm waffle station (the waffles themselves possessing a texture that can only be described as 'enigmatic'), suspect-looking scrambled eggs (they're yellow, I'll give them that), and a selection of what I *think* were donuts, but could have been something extraterrestrial. The coffee? A dark, bitter liquid that tasted vaguely of regret. My advice? Skip it. Go get a bagel. You'll thank me later. Seriously. I had to pop a Pepto Bismol when I got back. And listen... I am not a man who is typically fazed by gas station coffee. This breakfast... it's legendary... in a bad way.
4. Is the location at least, you know, *good*?
Here's something positive! The location is actually pretty darn good! It’s in a part of town that's convenient. Taxis are easy to hail. The subway is a reasonable distance. You can walk to some decent restaurants and things. So, location? Solid. It's like a shining beacon of light in the somewhat questionable orbit of the Galaxy Motel experience.
5. Okay, let's talk about the staff. Are they… friendly? Or are they secretly alien overlords?
The staff are... a mixed bag. I'm not gonna lie. Mostly they seem… bewildered. Which, honestly, is understandable. They're probably just as baffled by the peeling glitter stars as you are. There's one woman, Agnes, I think, who works the front desk. She's seen everything. And I do mean *everything*. She has a thousand-yard stare and a smile that says, "Honey, you have *no idea* what you're getting into." She's like the wise old space traveler who knows all the galaxy's secrets. And, honestly, Agnes? She's a legend. I always make sure to tip her extra. Because honestly, she deserves it. Dealing with the Galaxy Motel *and* people like me? That's a job and a half.
6. What's one thing you'll NEVER forget about your stay?
Okay. Buckle up, because this is a doozy. The *one* thing? The *noise*. Specifically, the elevator. It sounds like a dying robot gargling gravel. It groans. It shudders. It *whines* like a lovesick cat. And it runs, like, only twice an hour. I'm serious. First time I was stuck in it for a solid 20 minutes. After that, I took the stairs. Every. Single. Time. And the stairs, by the way? They smelled of mildew and regret. But the elevator noise… it's seared into my brain forever. You'd be happily asleep, dreaming of, you know, actual stars, and BAM! The elevator. Ruining your bliss. It's a symphony of mechanical misery. The worst part? It's the *only* elevator they seemed to have. I spent all my time there hoping for the sweet sound of silence... and the Galaxy Motel, with all of it's faults, gave me none.
7. Would you STAY there again? (Or am I crazy for even considering this?)
Look, here's the truth. Would I *choose* to stay at the Galaxy Motel again? Probably not. But… there's a certain… je ne sais quoi about the place. It's a little bit sad, a little bit hilarious, and a whole lotta… well, it's unforgettable. If you're on a tight budget, and you need a place to crash for a night or two? It'll do. Just pack earplugs, Clorox wipes, and a healthy dose of cynicism. And for the love of all that is holy, avoid the breakfast. Maybe bring your own coffee, too. And if you see Agnes? Tip her double. You'll understand why. You just will.
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