The Harlem Flophouse

We had a pleasant stay at the Harlem Flophouse and were enthralled by the old world charm that this property offers in comparison to bog standard chain hotels. With a 'home away from home' vibe, the guest house is located in the heart of west Harlem, with the subway a mere five minute stroll away. There are nice coffee shops in the area (our regular for breakfast was the Monkey Cup) and if you want a taste of authentic NYC living outside of the main touristy spots, Harlem Flophouse is a great place to stay.
The area itself is quite safe, as long as you're relatively streetwise but I personally wouldn't advise walking around after dark. We returned to the hotel no later than 9pm (summertime) which was fine for us and never ran into any problems.
The guesthouse itself is really well priced, and the old fashioned style of the place is the main attraction. We loved the low jazz humming in the background that welcomed us when we checked into our room (Cozy Cole), it was a lovely touch, and were pleased with the vintage furnishings, and ample room size which easily accommodates a small family.
Overall the room was clean, my only small gripe is that the bedding and towels did not smell particularly fresh and were a little tatty, but if the owner invests in new bedding (and possibly new mattresses and pillows) this is easily rectified.
The bathrooms are shared, but it's not a huge problem as there are only two rooms per floor, however the floor we were staying on only had a freestanding bath and no shower available, so we had to use the other bathroom as this is equipped with a proper shower. I would recommend that the owner installs a shower in both bathrooms for ease. Having said this, the bathrooms were clean and there was never a queue. Each room is also equipped with a sink which is handy.
I hope the owner takes on board my comments about the linen as my family and I would love to return to the Harlem Flophouse, it's a charming, inspiring and fantastically economical gem to explore NYC.

The most unique place I have ever stayed. It was an incredible experience and the best arrival with a jazz radio station playing quietly in our room - nice. The setting and ambience created is just incredible and the original features of the Flophouse are beautiful.

The host was friendly and welcoming, and we were lucky enough to catch the end of a jazz performance in the downstairs area one night.

Do not let the shared bathroom put you off. It was only shared with one other room and no issue at all. The shower was really powerful too!

The location was excellent, just a short walk from the subway! Just ensure you don't make the mistake of getting off in East Harlem at night like we did once.

A magical experience we will never forget - thank you René.

I went to the Harlem Flophouse twice for its musical performances. The first time was for jazz and the second was for psychedelic blues. Wine is included for a suggested fee. The setting is cozy, intimate and warm. I enjoyed the experiences-and plan to return.

What a wonderfully characterful place to stay. I've always loved the idea of staying in a Brownstone, and this is the genuine article. We loved its retro charm with stripped back floorboards, muted decor, really nicely understated but with a grandeur. Host Rene has paid attention to detail with quirky fittings, jazz biogs on the book shelves, & fab antiqued look to the tiled bathroom with freestanding clawfoot bath & shower so good & thorough it massages you. The place is light & airy, & surprisingly quiet. The subway is a short walk with brunch options also. We loved the jazz doodling away on the radio in our room when we arrived - each of the rooms is named after a jazz legend. We were in the 'Chester Himes'. A brilliant way to experience Harlem. Recommended!