Cross town traffic can ruin your day, not to mention your plans to get to the airport on time. The Affinia Dumont is located at 150 East 34th Street in the classic Murray Hill neighborhood with access to restaurants and tree lined streets that feel like Old Manhattan, especially when the leaves are green and the flowers are blooming. For the business traveler, it’s not just a great location with quick access to the Queens Midtown Tunnel, but a comfortable and affordable space with helpful staff and amazing views.

My stay at the Affinia Dumont resulted from an internet search; not my favorite way to find a hotel. But I was ready to try something new in the city, and have always loved Murray Hill. Moreover, I had a rough schedule with a redeye and a train to catch the following morning, so I wanted something that would be no longer than a 5 minute ride once through the tunnel, and a short commute to Penn Station. I searched for hotels on Kayak.com, was pleased with the price and location shown for the Affinia Dumont, so I did my research.

As always, when trying a new property, I sought the advice of TripAdvisor.com. The reviews were favorable and the pictures were also helpful. Not being completely familiar with that particular stretch of 34th Street, I also took advantage of Google Maps and the new “walking” feature that allows you to actually “travel” down the street of your chosen address. Not seeing anything that caused immediate concern, I booked.

Arriving on a redeye is always a nerve wracking experience when trying a new hotel. I usually make it a habit to call ahead and reiterate to the front desk that I am arriving during the wee hours of the morning and not to cancel my reservation or give my room away simply because I haven’t arrived by midnight. But I forgot to make the call this time. Fortunately, there were no problems at check-in. That simple act scores points in my book upon arrival.

Another way to score points with me is to be pleasant when I arrive at 6 a.m. after flying all night. The graveyard shift at some hotels can be a bit spotty sometimes. They aren’t always accustomed to people strolling in with bags in hand (and under the eyes) so early in the morning. The staff was pleasant and helpful, and most importantly, they quickly checked me in and got me to my room for a snooze.

However, when I walked in to my room, I didn’t feel like sleeping. The views of my corner room looking out over the East River and the surrounding historical buildings facing uptown made for such a unique vantage point that I had to take it in for a bit.

I was also greeted by something I hadn’t anticipated, but likely read on TripAdvisor.com if only my head hadn’t been so foggy….. a kitchenette. Now who really cooks when they travel for business? Not many. Yet I couldn’t help but think what a great place this would be for the business traveler in town for a couple weeks. At least leftovers would have a place to be warmed, or, a trip to the deli could be preserved for a midnight snack, or fresh fruit and bagels could be kept for breakfast. Not to mention the fact that the neighborhood would be the perfect place to take up residence for a few weeks and feel like a New Yorker.

For my stay, I booked a Junior Deluxe Suite and it had plenty of room with an oversized desk which made working from my room extremely comfortable. It also had a pull-out sofa. The bed was extremely comfortable (an absolute necessity for the redeye rider) and the hotel offers a “pillow menu” that allows you to choose which kind of pillow you’d like for your stay (down, cotton, memory foam, etc.). The business center was small, but the other amenities made the property well suited for the business traveler. The prices were competitive for 4-Star boutique properties during spring.

The other room choices included a One Bedroom Suite and a Studio Suite which is more like a traditional hotel room. All have fully appointed kitchenettes. The property also features the Oasis Day Spa and a nice fitness facility.

I look forward to staying at this property again.

Travel safely.