Standard Quadruple Room, Ensuite (Langston Hughes Room) | Free WiFi

Reviews of The Melva Inn - Harlem

2.5 out of 5
The Melva Inn - Harlem
68 West 120 Street, New York, NY

Reviews

6.8
Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 99 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 28 out of 99 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 28 out of 99 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 99 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 13 out of 99 reviews" "

7.0/10

Cleanliness

6.4/10

Staff & service

6.4/10

Amenities

6.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

RGalecio, Austin

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Horrible smell, finally I had to move to another hotel. I could not even spend the first night. I could not stand the horrible smell of foods that was inside the building and also getting into my room. Also I was not glad with the bed sheets and the bedspread was stained. It was quite a negative impression to see the place having read the rating that is stated in your page. It was not even near to be acceptable the situation, plus considering that it is winter an very cold.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020

6/10 Okay

raymond

Travelled with family
Liked: Room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Perfect place to stay for a couple days. Located in a fairly quiet part of the neighborhood, about a 30 minute Uber ride to Times Square!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This property is bare bones, but very convenient to my purpose for visiting NYC.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

2/10 Terrible

MARIA T

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Melva Inn is located in a very calm and quiet neighborhood. The place was very lovely and clean.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights at Melva Inn and upon arrival i rang the buzzer and no one answered i was outside for almost an hour at 2 am in the morning after a long flight with my 14 year old daughter. I had to call 911 then the police came help me they tried to call the owner of Melva Inn which she answered and was on the phone with the police for a while. i felt so disrespected by her. She did apoligised to me at all. She just i sent you email with th key code. When i finally got to the attic room and connect to the wi-fi i realised she had sent me an email containing the door code at the last miute.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019
Response from Melva Inn on 30 Oct 2019
We value all guests comments. The Melva Inn has a secure process for accessing the residence; we send out our door codes via email prior to a guests arrival. It provides our guests with flexibility regarding their arrival time. We expect all guests to check their emails and maintain the codes for access. We routinely send the emails at least 1-2 days prior to arrival. We never want any confirmed guest not to have access to their room. The Melva Inn reviews all critiques and make adjustments based on our guests comments . We are proud to be the residence for the seasoned traveler.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Neighbour hood was great and not too noisy at night. The building was really cool and the room was great for what we needed, the bed was fairly hard so not to my taste but otherwise I had a great experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Shelli, Portland, OR

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked the neighborhood - safe, clean, residential with shops and places to eat. Great diversity. I liked staying in a brownstone instead of a hotel for s more authentic NYC experience
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2019

4/10 Poor

Ty

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stay somewhere else! Door handle was broken. Room was tiny and the size of a shoebox. There’s literally no staff on site and no daily cleaning. Just don’t stay here. The bathroom is the size of your tiny tiny shoe closet. Thank god im only 5 ft 9 and 155 lbs. anyone quite larger than that will have a hard time getting in and out of the “bathroom”.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Business traveller, Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
IT WAS NOTHING @ ALL LIKE THE PHOTOS! HORRIBLE! I TOOK A VIDEO AND PHOTOS TO SHOW!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

6/10 Okay

Mailcube, Montreal

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
For the length of our stay, the space available in the room was enough for two in our case. We lived like a true new-yorker for the duration of our stay. Inn keeper was always available and provided follow-ups for check-ins and check-outs. The location is also fantastic with an easy access to most public transports. However, we found that the room was not as clean as we had expected. We noticed hairs from previous visitors still left inside the shower (which glue to our brought soap), had to kill inserts in the bathroom and found different red stains on the draperies. My girlfriend also got stung with a sewing needle left on the floor, right in the toe.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Watch your email for entry codes. Stairs are a bit rickety, but the place is clean comfortable and convenient for metro, Great little bar and restaurant just across the road.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is not a "proper" hotel, but rather a very nice Brownstone with hotel style rooms in what is now a very safe area. Easy to find and access. Short 4 block walk to the 2/3 train, not much further to the 6, and I think the A. Highly recomended.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I stayed two nights and would definitely stay again. The location is great- close to transport and in a fantastic area, but also amazingly quiet. The staff were really helpful and always answered my emails quickly. I was in the “Hot Room” which was comfortable, compact, and had everything I needed. It was two flights of stairs up, which might be difficult for people with mobility issues, but more generally are not a problem as they are in good condition and not narrow or steep.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

8/10 Good

Montrice

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Quick Trip to NYC
I am not a traveler who requires a lot of attention. If you don't mind being on your own, then the Melva is good for you. The managers responded to emails very quickly. It's located in a very quiet area of Harlem. It is walking distance from two subways stations (116, 125). It is also walking distance to Central Park, the Apollo Theater and Sylvia's restaurant.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I didn’t stay.I lost my money.It was a ripoff. The manager was real rude talking about looking for a positive people.I was a hotel business For 15 years,never see a horrible service.I didn’t stay even 30 minutes.it is a dirtiest place I never been.They don’t want to give me my money, they charged my $75 more $ For extra guest I didn’t have.Stay away
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I didn't know what to expect of this place when I booked it but it was pretty nice. The property is a Harlem brownstone with several rooms. Check your email leading up to your stay to receive the codes to enter the locked doors in! (I didn't and had to call the staff who got back to me very quickly) The stairs creak when people walk on them and the walls are pretty thin so it can get a little noisy in the night so if you are a light sleeper, I don't recommend this place. For the price, I enjoyed it. It was very close to Harlem's lively streets and I was able to easily catch the bus or trains I needed to get where I wanted to go.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018

6/10 Okay

CROCKP, Utah

Inexpensive hotel. No present staff. You get entry codes emailed to you, the day before you arrive. Great crash pad, in Harlem. Close to the 116th street subway entrance, that goes straight to downtown Manhattan.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Charles

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
What historical beauty
Wow! Such a beautiful stay with great service available immediately! Can't wait to stay again soon. Thanks
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

6/10 Okay

Linda, Grayslake, IL

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
It's a real Brownstone, and very safe. Inside it's old not well maintained but clean and acceptable. I liked the Harlem neighborhood. The flights of stairs are hard for an old person. The room is spartan, and the bed is too high to climb into. There are no services at all, which I didn't realize beforehand. But a subway stop is within 4 1/2 and the airport bus within 5 1/2 blocks.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Good position in the city. Room condition was OK. Comfortable bed. Bathroom was OK.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Eduardo, State College, PA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The Melva Inn is close to two excellent restaurant. Parking on the street is very safe and it seemed always available. The room was what I need for my busy stayed. A very safe neighborhood on the edge of Central Park and the Garvey park, as well as close to two subway stops.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

2/10 Terrible

AA, AB

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very very BAD Nothing good at all about this place Regret to be there. Worst experience in my life with hundreds of hotels I ve used
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verita

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
My stay
The room was small but very comfortable quite easy walk to125th
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

2/10 Terrible

Shirley

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Bed sweek with every movement and mattress uncomfortable. Shower stall had dirty tiles, one window without a window screen was propped open with a stick. Found dead bug between mattress and another on window sill. Cheese left in frig apparently from previous guests. Speaking to Cheryl, the innkeeper was terrible... she was very very rude and told people at Expedia she would charge us for the remaining three nights since we canceled our stay there after one night, because we were very unhappy, dissatisfied with the room at the Melva Inn Harlem!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Peter, Washington DC

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Value and Location
Very good value and fantastic location. Minutes walking from best Harlem restaurants and historic locaitons. Will plan to come again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

June

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Melva Inn, an Ideal Place
My stay at Melva Inn was excellent! I was not sure about what to expect. It turned out to be one of the best decision I made. The location is ideal for getting around. My daughter and I felt safe and the distant to Columbia University and back is ideal. The location provided access to public transportation, lots of great restaurants & family friendly activities. Wished there was a microwave.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
If you need a place to lay your head that is all it is good for. if you are to pay oer $200.00 you might as well choose something better.. bring your own towels if you plan to stay longer than 2 days.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

4/10 Poor

Douglas, Canada

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was cheap but not cheerful. It's a lovely old building and with a tiny bit of effort could have been better. Instead it is dilapidated and has no amenities. Eg the "soap" was a disgusting bottle of brown sludge in the shower which had been coagulated forever. Not recommended at all.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Nellie, Oregon

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Querky and comfortable
Enjoyed the feeling of being in an old house in an old neighborhood and not an hotel. Felt as if we were staying in a friend's guestroom.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Simple, Affordable, Comfortable
This is an affordable, SIMPLE, comfortable place to stay. This is not a four start hotel or B & B. But I found it to be just as it is advertised. It was very clean. The bed was super comfortable. The bathroom had everything we all need. The room was spacious. The innkeeper was very quick to respond when I had a question. It is quiet (rare for NYC). I felt safe and walked so some great restaurants. I was there on business and my conference was a one mile walk so it was convenient for me. I love Harlem!

8/10 Good

Viola

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
The room is not worth the money, sorry no photos.
I was not informed as how to get in to the building and since there is NO innkeeper you may end up on the steps of the building waiting....and who wants to be waiting for a key to get in to your room in the rain and in the cold?!

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Will not be returning here.
The room i was in had ants on the foot rails, comforter and pillows. It’s was a little cold so i used the heater they provide. They had to change my room. The next room was clear of ants and bigger as well as clean.

6/10 Okay

Dennis

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Ah h-LL no.
Not clean enough, and I have low standards. No wi-fi or cable. Poor communication as far as accessing the room. (Was told the key would be on the second floor. Disturbed another guest, thinking it might be the proprietor. Finally figured out the room was on the third floor). I contacted the proprietor a week before sending this review, and received no response.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Pleasant and affordable
Very pleasant stay. A few quirks but this adds to the charm. Nice location in Harlem and affordable.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
No frills, the most essential things to me were present. Clean. Met all my expectations for a low-price accommodation in Manhattan.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017

6/10 Okay

Diane, US Virgin Islands

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The walls are chipping. Seems like some renovation was being done and it was stopped so the owner can generate money. The Ac was turned off the last night I stayed there. Two towels were given to us to use for the entire week that was spent there. All in all it is a convenient location but not worth the price
Stayed 4 nights in May 2017

8/10 Good

Clark, Philadelphia

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Confortable Accommodations
Almost perfect accommodations. Just needed a curtain for one of the windows and the password for the WiFi. I make several e-mail requests but received no response. Love the neighborhood and comfort of the room.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I was very pleasantly surprised by my room at the Melva Inn. The brownstone is lovely and my room was enormous (for NYC) and very comfortable. You won't find another place in Manhattan with a private bathroom without paying a heck of a lot more. I really appreciated that my room featured a mini-fridge. I typically got in very late at night and felt safe walking the few blocks from the subway. My only issue was that I couldn't get the fancy television system to work. This probably wouldn't be a problem for most people but while I'm not a complete idiot, I'm no technology whiz-kid either, and I don't even have cable at home. I'm sure the innkeeper would've assisted me if I'd called and asked for help but I wasn't about to call her in the middle of the night. Perhaps if the instructions for the TV were more detailed I could've figured it out on my own. I had no other issues and would absolutely recommend the Melva Inn to others.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Brownstone
The sink was not attached to the wall and the floor is unfinished wood. Good location if you need to be in Harlem and a nice neighborhood. Basic accommodations.
Room #5
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017

2/10 Terrible

Kevin

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The Miserable Melva Inn
Completely misleading information on all websites. Rooms looked like they were thrown together by a bunch of inexperienced kids. Bare light bulbs, burned out light bulbs, no soap, no drinking glass, ugly paint jobs in rooms and noisy. No fans and air conditioners weren't installed until a day later when I complained.

6/10 Okay

Sara, Germany

close to central park and subway
some things need to be repaired, but it was good stay

8/10 Good

Maria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very good location to discover New York
Clean, with private bathroom, nice character, very convenient location.