1871 House (a New York City style Bed and Breakfast)

1871 House is a New York City Style bed and breakfast offering extended-stay self-catering apartment style accommodations with a country inn bed and breakfast atmosphere in a centrally located, convenient Upper East Side location.

1871 House reflects the personal tastes and the style of its two co-founders and can be described as a combination of sophistication, country, city, history, grace and femininity. These are the characteristics the owners have sought out and created for their guests to enjoy.  

From its very beginning, 1871 house has provided more than a simple lodging experience. The hope is to delight and inspire guests through 1871 House's unique qualities. 

The apartments are located in a landmarked circa-1871 five-story townhouse built in the architectural style of the much loved New York City row house or brownstone. Designed in the simplified Italianate style, the house's architecture features pedimented windows and an elaborate cornice.

A New York City Style Extended-Stay Bed and Breakfast inn. An urban B&B...with accommodations similar to a bed and breakfast (B&B)... furnished extended stay/corporate apartments rental.

Overview:
The low-profile 1871 House is small, quiet, private, and residential with an old-world ambiance. It feels like a secret hideaway from the moment you enter its intimate lobby. 1871 House offers relatively affordable accommodations in a shopping and museum-convenient area of the Upper East Side called the Upper East Side Historic District.

Neighborhood:
Located at the southern end of the Upper East Side, the house is nestled among stylish brownstones and stately Townhouses on a beautiful tree-lined residential block. Flanked by prestigious Park & Lexington Avenues, the house is set amid Manhattan's most elegant neighborhood on the Upper East Side and is just a stroll away from Central Park. Because the 1871 House is at the epicenter of a chic & bustling neighborhood, many of the Upper East Side's finest restaurants are in close proximity as are Madison Avenue's chic boutiques and stylish cafes. Neighborhood antique shops, galleries, specialty stores and world-renowned museums are also within easy walking distance.

Accommodations/lodging:

Eight one-of-a-kind spacious suite  and studio apartments (click here for pictures and details) are available. Most offer 10-12 foot ceilings, wood floors covered with Oriental rugs, beautifully dressed beds and cozy sitting areas facing grand working fireplaces and an assortment of antiques. Details such as the decorative ironwork covering the front door and ornate moldings around windows and doors convey an old world charm. Beds of antique iron and brass, a sleigh bed with netting, a Tuscan cottage bed and a cherry sheaf of wheat bed grace the guest bedrooms decorated with lace curtains and country quilts. Please note that all 1871 House rooms are accessed by our main stair case and are not serviced by an elevator.

Amenities:

All rooms include private en suite bathrooms modern conveniences such as flat screen TVs, wireless internet, direct-dial telephones, air conditioning, hair dryers, clock radios, irons & ironing boards. Most units also include fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes. All-cotton bedding, luxurious country quilts, down comforters and pillows, shampoo and soap provided.

Internet:

Wi Fi available in all rooms. Free Wi Fi available in our Ground Floor Reception Area.

1871 House Managers oversee the day-to-day affaires of the 1871 House and are present at the house from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sundays until 3:30 p.m.

Anita: Is currently a graduate student pursuing Forensic Science at John Jay College. 

Autumn:  Is a graduate of Mount Holyoke University and is currently  pursuing a graduate degree in psychology. 

Jennifer is a recent graduate from an MFA Creative Writing Program. In addition to managing the 1871 House, Jennifer teaches at a Manhattan based career college. 

Some Facts About the Neighborhood:

• The area, the Upper East Side Historic District, (59th Street to 72nd Street) is protected by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
• The area's proximity to mid-town, makes this one of New York's most desirable residential neighborhoods.
• Transportation is quite good with southbound buses on Lexington Avenue (62nd Street) and northbound buses on Madison and Third Avenue (63rd Street). No buses are allowed on Park Avenue. The area has two cross-town bus lines and subway stations are two blocks south at 60th Street on Lexington Avenue (N,R, 4,5,6) or one block north at 63rd Street (F train) on Lexington Avenue.
• What sets this neighborhood apart from all others is its proximity to Madison Avenue. Madison Avenue has been famous for more than a century as the world's premier shopping district for the finest food, opulent merchandise, luxury lodging and services available anywhere. Other areas may have their impressive retail strips, but Madison Avenue is the world's most famous retail address.

1871 House: Infrastructure

To our guests we offer the following notice to provide full transparency, manage expectations and create the best possible understanding of what one should expect when booking a stay at 1871 House. Along with country inn coziness, old world ambience and character come sloping and squeaky floors and irregular plaster walls. An older internal infrastructure "systems" design, though embedded with new components, translates to occasional banging or hissing steam radiators. It can also mean occasional changes in water pressure and temperature and in extreme cases you may have to wait a few minutes for your shower. Potential guests should remember 1871 House acquired its name from the year it was built and though our furnace and water heater are new and all of the buildings wiring and plumbing has been redone the constraints of an older shell will create a different experience then a 6oth floor room in a modern steel and glass tower.

1871 House: Service Model

Through experience and informal research it has been found the majority of people who stay in small inns & guest houses/B&Bs as well as those who have stayed at 1871 House in particular enjoy their privacy and independence. Unique small accommodation facility features considered quaint by some tourists may be unsettling for others and many business travelers. We do not set out cookies and daily flowers in the rooms. The older model of having teas and dining with the hosts has been pointed out in publications to be less appealing to today's business and leisure traveler. To that end, the Owners and staff do everything they can to respect guests' privacy. Guests are never forced to interact with other guests nor to sit down with the innkeepers and look at old family photos! It is in fact entirely possible for guests to go through their entire stay without ever seeing any other guests as well as Warren who works full time off premises and even Lia who is often taking care of business matters for the hotel/inn.

We however make every effort to be as accommodating as is possible to guests. As a small facility we do not have a formal concierge desk but do offer various services of this variety to our guests. The model 1871 House follows clearly has elements of self-service but we have three assistant managers and two housekeepers enabling staff to be available all day until 6:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. These hours of availability are a minimum; staff or the Owners are sometimes available after these times and someone is always available for urgent matters or emergencies. Generally we follow a "request and provide" service policy meaning that the guest should let us know of an issue or request. Should you need assistance or have questions or comments during your stay, our excellent house managers, are readily available during office hours (8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday or 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday) and are there to offer their assistance! We have also put together a small library of books and travel guides. These books are all available to be borrowed by guests.

1871 House: Upkeep, Maintenance, Safety and Quality Control

For those of you who are unfamiliar with New York City Fire and Building Codes, they are stringent and taken seriously by local authorities. Operators of multi room or apartment facilities in New York City must pass a variety of inspections and are monitored on a random ad hoc basis whether it be from the Building Code Enforcement Officers, Fire Marshalls, Housing Authority, Health Department or any of the other City Agencies that a multi unit building must comply with. Our garbage can be inspected at any time to be sure of proper recycling procedures, our sprinkler system tested for pressure, our emergency exits reviewed for lack of obstructions, heating system checked and our water tested for proper high temperature (yes, they actually pull out a thermometer to see if the water is hot enough). Inspection results are noted and displayed in our outer lobby area. We are subject to heavy fines and unable to operate until we pass required levels of compliance.

1871 House: Extended Stays

Extended Stay Unfurnished Apartments, Corporate Housing Apartments, Temporary Housing, Furnished Rentals, Luxury Rentals.

1871 House specializes in extended stay packages for both the vacation and business markets. We have served the global corporate market on both an intermediate and long term stay basis as well as accommodate hybrid variable stay bookings. We often become a literal home away from home for individuals and families who desire to have a homelike atmosphere for extended personal vacations or personal needs accommodations. Our fully furnished and stocked apartments serve the extended stay market well and our optional and flexible concierge services allow the busy executive to be productive or the desiring of relaxation family to relax. Please inquire about our thirty day to one year extended stay packages.

Featured in the following publications:

Metropolis: Japan's No. 1 English Magazine: Alternative Stays in New York: A new breed of accommodation offers the best of hotels and apartments: June 2007
Communal breakfasts and polite chit-chat with homeowners make the term "bed and breakfast" seem like the antithesis of autonomy. But northeast from my apartment, at 1871 House on East 62nd Street, autonomy is exactly what I find. Named for the year in which it was built, this elegant brownstone sits in the Upper East Side's Historic District and has been lovingly restored and decorated with bags of New England charm by its owners Lia and Warren Raum.

Strictly speaking, it's hard to classify what's on offer here. With just seven rooms, it could be called a small hotel. Yet a hotel wouldn't give out keys to the front door, equip each room with a small kitchen and working fireplace, or leave a stack of paperbacks on the nightstand. Similarly, to call it a guesthouse is misleading, since the owners and managers remain largely unseen (though not unreachable).

And as breakfast isn't included, the term "bed and breakfast" doesn't quite cut it here either. But, calling itself an "urban country inn," 1871 House does in fact loosely adopt the term B&B, while also distancing itself from the conventions of the category with the prefix "New York City-style." This is firstly because, as a common characteristic of B&Bs, the innkeepers live onsite (in this case in the two-story house in the garden). Secondly, it's because breakfast is available to guests-only it's in the manner that New Yorkers like to take it: eat-in or to-go at a whole host of friendly neighborhood places.

National Geographic Traveler: May/June 2007: Manhattan's inns let you live like a local: From the tip of the Village to Harlem, bed-and-breakfasts offer travelers an experience of Manhattan that is intimate and offbeat-somehow close to the bone. Tucked into houses all over the island, usually on side streets away from the razzmatazz of the avenues, these small inns offer guests individual attention, quiet, and savvy access to their neighborhoods - and the shops, cafes, and local pleasures guidebooks sometimes overlook. Formal or funky loaded with charm, Manhattan B&Bs reflect the individual character of the neighborhood and the personality of the people who keep them. 1871 House: Every grand room and suite in this historic brownstone between Lexington and Park is impeccably dressed. The original period details-wood-and-ironwork, moldings, flawless plank floors-make a happy marriage with the well-selected romantic antiques, fixtures, and linens. Owners Lia and Warren Raum take no shortcuts with amenities, low-tech and high. Wake under a stack of plump covers in an antique iron bed, then check your email with Wi-Fi. Gaze through the lace at the window and plan your day: shopping at Barneys? Dinner at JoJo? Ambling through galleries" You're only minutes away.

Make Business Travel a Pleasure by Staying at Bed and Breakfast, 12/11/2007, (TransWorldNews): You're on the road for business again; this time why not pretend you are also on a pleasurable adventure and choose a Bed and Breakfast instead of a business hotel? Not only will you avoid the anonymous rooms, noisy hallways, and pricey industrial continental breakfasts but you will actually feel you have had a pleasant little getaway. New York City: 1871 House B&B: On a tree-lined street on the fashionable Upper East Side, this classic Brownstone offers stylishly elegant accommodations. Old World charm is evident in the decorative ironwork covering the front door, ornate moldings around windows, high ceilings and floors, and ornate marble and wood fireplace mantelpieces. It was named one of the 100 best little hotels in New York City in 2003. A quote from a recent business traveler reveals the difference in staying in a little inn versus a business hotel, "I lived in New York for several years, and perhaps my favorite thing about the 1871 House was that it felt less like staying in a cold and touristy hotel, and more like I was using a friend's really fabulous apartment. I haven't felt so much like a New Yorker since I moved away".

USA Today: Some business travelers prefer B&Bs: July 31, 2007: Business travelers generally don't consider bed-and-breakfasts for their lodging. Maybe they should, a new survey suggests. The following are the top picks for the best urban B&Bs for business travelers. The top-ranking inns offer expected amenities for business travelers plus "over-the-top" extras such as a great view, notable decor, a convenient location or exceptional value.
Top 10 urban B&Bs
1. Boston Yacht Haven, Boston; 2. Oge House Inn on the Riverwalk, San Antonio 3. Butler House on Grand, Des Moines; 4. Royal Elizabeth B&B, Tucson; 5. Union Street Inn, San Francisco 6. 1871 House, New York City; 7. Napoleon's Retreat, St. Louis; 8. DC Guest House, Washington 9. Chambered Nautilus, Seattle; 10. Flemish House of Chicago, Chicago

Frommers: Getting Cozy in 5 Big City Bed and Breakfasts: July 15, 2007: Admit it, when you think of a bed and breakfast, the imagery of some little hamlet nestled in the woods pops in your head. A pond maybe with some wee ducklings thrown in for show and a deer or two eating berries all Bambi like. You know, a bucolic hideaway shielded from the hustle and bustle of modern life, right? Well, if you are looking for that kind of living -- sans the preciousness of Mother Nature -- it might be time to check into the world of urban B&B's. Big city B&B's give you the best of both worlds: country charm and big city excitement. Many are located on residential streets smack dab in the middle of things, giving you the luxury of feeling like a local without having to pay the sky-high urban rents. Beyond being in the mix of things, B&B's are great for any type of traveler that enjoys those "homey" touches which can include: individually designed rooms, mouthwatering breakfasts and cozy fireplaces. Most B&B's do not offer perks such as bars, restaurants or gyms but what they do give you is better: a great deal of personal attention. Before you book your next metropolis-based vacation, take a peek at B&B's that can make the big, bad city feel like a home away from home. New York: New York City might seem like the last place where were you would find a multitude of B&B's, but the city once again proves to be a place where you can find anything. One of the city's top B&B's is 1871 House (rooms starting $200; tel. 212/756-8823; www.1871house.com), located just minutes away from the world's most famous grassy enclave, Central Park. With eight ornate rooms to choose from (some including full kitchens) you'll feel like you are in the midst of an older, long-gone New York.

An Explorer's Guide: New York City: September 2006 by Paul Karr: A pretty shuttered brick town house in a nicely quiet location not far from fifth Avenue and Central Park, this local secret hides behind ironwork covering the front door…Inside, hosts have carefully preserved the home's marble and wood fireplaces, moldings, around windows and high ceilings. All give the place an elegant B&B feel, as do the antiques scattered throughout, yet rooms are modernly enough appointed that you won't feel stuck in the 19th century. Each room is country furnished, much as you'd expect to find such a place in, say, Vermont or Maine. There's a private patio and terrace garden with one of the rooms.

Quantas Magazine, the Austrailian Way: NYB&B: April 2006: If you must put your head down in the city that never sleeps, do it somewhere with a personal touch. Sex and the City's Carrie Bradsahw might roll her eyes at the thought of staying in a New York City hotel, Ditto the crew from Seinfeld. Nothing wrong with that, as Jerry might say, if your like impersonal places that could be anywhere. Whether you are here for business or pleasure, savor the real Big Apple in neighborhoods with character, as opposed to characters. Experience discreet bed and breakfasts that feel like real country inns, or luxury apartment with Jacuzzis, fireplaces and robes. Don't believe the myth about New Yorkers being cold. These places are run by people who like mingling with visitors. Unlike even some of the best hotels, everything is just so thanks to personal pride. And because atmosphere is paramount, they may impose restrictions on children and smoking: Built in 1871 and located on the exclusive Upper East Side, 1871 House is just stops away from Park Avenue, Bloomingdale's and Serendipity 3, where celebrities such as Jude Law and Hugh Jackman come for the frozen (sic) hot chocolate. Some of the seven apartments and guest rooms have kitchenettes and working fireplaces. One has a lovely terrace. No meals but a goodie basket with Sarabeth's mouthwatering preserves and Gilchrist and Soames English toiletries are available.

Northeast Traveler: Inn Style: Urban Adventures: March 2004: 1871 House, New York City: Heading for the big city? Despite what you may have heard, options for accommodations aren't limited to the spare and pricey. These inns offer the ambience and flair that make urban rates feel reasonable. 1871 House: Book a room at this 130-year-old brownstone in the Upper East Side Historic District, and you'll be tucked away in a neighborhood populated by consulates, diplomatic missions and art galleries. The inn's decor is Old World charm: working fireplaces, wood and marble mantle pieces, antique furnishings and hardwood floors. Located between Park and Lexington avenues, it's three blocks from Central Park, around the corner from Barney's and Bloomingdale's and close to dining at all price points, from Burger Heaven to Daniel and Payard. It's also near the lower part of Fifth Avenue's "Museum Mile" which includes The Frick Collection, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Asia Society.

Great Escape: The Manchester Airports Group: Autumn/Winter, 2003/2004: Lets Stay the night in New York: No one staying in New York realistically expects a large room, let alone a view! The all-American hospitality in individual places more than compensate. Here are a couple with space - and even one with a view. Just a stroll from Central Park and Madison Avenue, the 1871 House is tucked away on a leafy brownstone lined street. Named after the year in which it was built, this quiet, private B&B is a gem in the Upper East Side Historic District. Each room or apartment has been carefully designed with individuality and a touch of New England charm. There are five studios and two full floor suites. The immediate district has good restaurants and stylish cafes.

New York e-guide: 2005: This beautifully renovated brownstone building is close to Central Park and an upscale shopping zone, but the quiet, leafy street makes you forget you're in the heart of the city. There's no common area for guests, but the spacious, high-ceilinged rooms, suites, and studios are ideal for lounging, and most have working fireplaces - quite a treat for a New York property. The keepers even provide duraflame logs to burn. So long as you don't require 24-hour room service, these cozy, relaxing accommodations are a good option. The whole place is furnished with antiques and the decor is warm and homey. If you are traveling in a group of four or more, reserve the Great Room and Cottage Combination; both have access to a lovely garden, the "cottage space." Some rooms have kitchenettes, but the hotel is close to many eateries. A four-night minimum is usually expected.

"Country Living Magazine:" September 2004:"Inn of the Month": On a leafy side of the street on New York City's Upper East Side, the cozy 1871 House offers the comforts of home within walking distance of Central Park and some of the Country's finest art museums. The converted townhouse has three comfortable guest rooms, three studios with kitchens, and two family-friendly suites that sleep five and have fireplaces and kitchens. While you're in the neighborhood, shop around the corner at Bloomingdale's, sip the famous frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity III, and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, where 18th- 19th-century furniture and quilts are on permanent exhibit.

"new york's 100 best little hotels": 3rd edition, 2003 by Allen Sperry Imagine -New England Country Charm just steps from Park Avenue! This delightfully warm and welcoming bed and breakfast is located in a classic five-story brownstone on one of New York's loveliest, tree-lined blocks. Proprietor Lia Raum and her husband, Warren, have furnished this wonderfully special place with treasures gleaned from Connecticut antiques stores and flea markets. The result is a feeling of home and hearth, as you would dream it to be. More country inn than urban B&B, here personal attention, good taste, and loving care are evident in every detail. Hand-stitched quilts, hooked rugs, sleigh beds, and sporting prints and paintings abound. Most bedrooms feature original moldings and working fireplaces. Windows look out on either the leafy, quiet street or the tree-shaded back garden. If you can, book the romantic Cottage room, with its sun-drenched second-floor terrace. This book was written expressly to unearth gems like 1871House - a lovely "country" hideaway in one of New York's most elegant neighborhoods.

Frommers:The Unofficial Guide to Bed and Breakfasts and Country Inns in the Mid-Atlantic 1st edition (2002)
Awarded 1871 House four stars (out of five)! Their review says "privacy and exclusivity with easy access to the best of urban New York City…and the opportunity to stay in a genuine renovated brownstone". An interesting mix of antiques and eye-catching, over-sized accessories gives each guest room a unique look. Quality fabrics and designer-brand items add elegance. Japanese Esquire Magazine: 1871 House Featured in the special November 2002 issue (New York City Guide Issue)

Petra Magazine, November 2002: "Elegante Stadtwohnung mit Kamin, gleich um die Ecke von New Yorks edelster Shopping Meile 5th-Avenue."

Fodors Rivages Guides: Hotels & Country Inns of Character and Charm in New York 2003. By Michelle Gastau: Excerpt: Upper East Side est le quartier huppe de New York, du moins pour les rues proches de Central Park. En effet, ce ne'st qu'avecl'ouverture du parc en 1860 que cette zone de prairies commenca a s'urbaniser: les mansions fleurirent sur la Fifth Avenue, les brownstones dans les rues perpendiculaires. Aujourd'hui, Madisoin Avenue regroupe les boutiques des grands couturiers, il y a de nombreuses galleries d'art et tous les grands musees son't situes dan la zone. La charmante Lia Raum occupe avec sa petite-fille le rez-de-chaussee de sa jolie maison, les etages etant totalement consacres aux chambers d'hotes. Toutes sont tres soignees, amenagees dans un stule Victorien ou Arts & Crafts, dotes de meubles anciens ou de belles copies avec souvent une cheminee. La plupartont une cuisine avec tout ce qu'il faut pour avoir un espace completement prive et independent. Certaines sont de veritables appartements avec deux chambers. Si vous etes en famille, ou entre amis avec qui vous pouvez faire sale de bains commune, la Great room partage la terrasse avec un cottage qui se trouve au fond du jardin. Celui-ci n'est loue qu'en chamber supplementaire. A deux blocs de Central Park, on est saisi d'envie de jogging ou de promenandes matinales pour ne pas deroger au rite new-yorkais.

Date of Review: March 17, 2013

Home Away From Home -- Only Better! 3 of us stayed in the Madison Suite during a week in which we had snow, rain, and 50-degree weather. During it all, 1871 House provided the perfect 'home base' for sightseeing, and a wonderful refuge for tired feet (and wallets) at the end of the day. The beds were all comfortable, with impeccable linens and plump pillows. Being able to have a fire while it snowed outside was a huge bonus of which we were happy to take advantage! Yes, the stairs are many, and yes, it's an old walk-up building -- but with that comes undeniable charm, warmth, and intimacy, the likes of which you don't get in the large hotels, or in any place in NYC, especially at this price point. This place is a sure bet, and I'll look no further for a place to stay next time I travel to New York. I could easily have moved in permanently -- it's that great. (P.S. Hot water was plentiful every time I sought it). - Barfox from Albuquerque, New Mexico

Date of Review: May 11, 2012

My husband and I spent our 25th Wedding anniversary in New York and I cannot think of a better place to stay than the 1871 house! We stayed in the Parlor Room. It was comfortable, and well stocked. We enjoyed the neighborhood and found it convenient to have a grocery just down the street. There are many restaurants in the area - just walk 1/2 block in any direction! -- close to subway, close to Central Park. I felt I got a very good feeling of living in Manhattan -- loved the Upper East Side! The description is accurate, the room is exactly as photographed. I would recommend the 1871 House to anyone wanting a neighborhood stay in Manhattan. 

Date of Review: May 9, 2012

I can honestly say it was a unique treat and a pleasure to take memories away from ... 1871 House is simply a GEM of a find that I would prefer to keep a secret, but think it would be unjust to all other potential visitors to NYC! The location is superb, the rooms spacious and so personal in their decor that it feels like your very own little apartment in the middle of the madness and hussle and bustle of New York City. The rooms (we stayed in 2 different ones - the Lexington Suite and the Parlour Suite) were both very clean and the bathrooms & kitchen areas were spotless. The 62 steps up to the Lexington Suite were leg breaking, however cause for a good laugh and a huge sense of healthy achievement when the room was reached...! All the staff that we met were friendly, helpful and showed a genuine interest to our needs - yet they were not intrusive - just right... and we appreciated knowing that they were there if we needed them. We have left 1871 House with plans to return when we can - it is the only place we will stay in NYC....

Date of Review: March 27, 2012

We are returning to New York City in February of 2013. Where else would we stay but where we stayed before...The 1871 House.
The Parlor Studio, in which we stayed, is large, comfortable and welcoming. The staff is there to help and advise if you need it. The location is near everything you would want to do and see in New York. Lexington Avenue, which is one half block away with its huge variety of restaurants and stores,adds to the positive experience. It is well worth the price and we recommend it!
Walter and Marian Minnetonka, Minnesota

Date of Review: April 13, 2011
Just spent another weekend at the 1871 House and what a treat. Like last time everything was perfect. The room was spacious and comfortable and full of charm and character. Antiques, high ceilings, big windows, comfy bed. And it's in one of the best and most expensive residential neighborhoods in the city, close to everything, and the best part is that it's two blocks to Central Park. There is nothing 'modern' or 'generic' about this B&B yet it's clean and fresh and elegant in a 19th century town house sort of way. . There's a little kitchenette (or some rooms have kitchens I think) with fridge and storage to put food in. Staff is friendly but other than a brief friendly encounter we never saw another person. That's a plus :-) So it's a rare treat for us but worth it.

Date of Review: May 26, 2011

My husband,daughter and I stayed at this great find on the upper east side in May. The inn was wonderful...but the location for us was perfect. Hope to stay there again on our next trip to the city. Thank you innkeepers.
Donna

Date of Review: December 16, 2010.

We stayed at the 1871 as an experimental alternative to the major hotel chain properties that we usually book when visiting NYC and we won't go back to hotel life now.

For orientation, the 1871 is a 3 minute walk from Bloomingdales, 5 minutes walk from the bottom of Central Park and in an elegant, classy neighbourhood. 1871 is on a side street about 100 yards from the junction with Lex Av and so is a quiet location. We booked the Mission Studio which is on the lower ground floor of the property. This comprised a large bedroom, seating area, corridor with wardrobes, kitchenette, shower room and wc. The whole apartment was much much larger than the executive Hilton/Westin/Sheraton rooms that most people use in Manhattan and the ambience was far more homely and classy. The entire floor area is marble and the apartment looked to be freshly decorated, particularly the shower room and kitchen which were spotless. We paid around £210/night which I thought was excellent value for money. Remember - the 1871 appears to be a hotel but is really a townhouse converted into apartment accommodation so don't expect hotel services - this is pretty much self-catering. But I'd gladly swap a nightly turn-down service for extra floorspace and the character of the 1871. Other than that I would heartily recommend the 1871 to anyone travelling to NYC and staying a few days for pleasure or business.
JJB from Kent, UK.

Date of Review: October 23, 2010

We loved the room from the start in this tastefully renovated brown stone house. We were in The Parlour Suite on the first floor, a spacious room with elegant high ceilings and 3 big windows looking out onto a road just busy enough to be interesting but not noisy. Upper East side is a wonderful location managing to create a city village atmosphere whilst in easy reach of the many sites on offer in New York. There were cafes and restaurants available on our doorstep and Le Pain Quotidian became our favourite spot for breakfast.
HM from UK

Returned again and thoroughly enjoyed our stay

Date of Review: October 5, 2010
Once again, we traveled from Boston to NYC and stayed at the 1871 House. I forgot how much I love NYC and enjoy this amazing B&B! We met the inn owner, who was warm, friendly and helpful! She gave us a great suggestion for dinner - only a few blocks away as well as directions to my favorite bagel shop! We never needed to take a cab, bus or subway, since the location on the upper east side/mid town is amazing! We walked to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, up and down Madison Avenue, to Saks, Barney's, MOMA, and Rockefeller Plaza. The location is AMAZING!

I absolutely love staying in the beautiful brownstone! The high ceilings, art, rugs and beautiful antiques are tasteful and luxurious. And, the room is spotless. I have very bad allergies and always suffer when I stay in rooms that are not adequately clean and ventilated. We also enjoyed the view of the back garden - which was a pleasant surprise!

Our room was quiet, clean, spacious and beautiful! I can't wait to return for my holiday shopping!
LB from Boston

Best hidden gem in New York

Date of Review: July 22nd, 2010
I just love staying at the 1871 House. The rooms have such an old world charm about them. The location is the best in town - close to great shopping on 5th Avenue, steps from the subway and Central Park. The staff is wonderful and so helpful - so much better than unhappy hotel employees. This was my second stay at the 1871 House and I look forward to staying again in the future. 

SFA from Houston TX.

Great find!

Date of Review: 4/27/09
We had a wonderful stay last weekend at this awesome B&B! Our room, the Parlor Suite, was larger than it appeared in photos and very very comfortable. We loved the large windows that faced beautiful 62nd Street and the super high ceilings that reminded me of the book "Madeleine." Great antiques decorated the room and the bed was better than our own. For once, the covers on the bed were thick and hearty and enough. And a real cotton quilt and comforter. The neighborhood is one of the best in town -- you are surrounding by elegant 19th historic townhouses and just a quick and beautiful walk to Central Park and 5th Avenue. We loved out stay here -- it was worth the money and will go back. I did not get to see other rooms due only to our time constraints but loved the Parlor Suite. There was some street noise at night but we liked that as it was the cacophony of 'city noise'. But if it would bother you, book a room in back of the house. It was also very private. No breakfast and so you did not have to make small talk with anyone.

A glimpse of the gilded age

Date of review: Feb 21, 2009
I'd pored over the photos on the website and debated whether to stay in the Mission suite but finally plumped for the Parlor. On my visit to New York the previous May I had passed by the premises whilst checking out the area. As I stood sheltering from the rain, the front door opened and a departing guest was being helped to a waiting taxi. I approached and asked if it might be possible to come inside as I had booked a room for February. The duty manager (Leon) immediately placed me and said, 'oh yes, you've chosen the Parlor suite haven't you? It's vacant at the moment, would you like to come in and see it?'

This act of thoughtful efficiency, to me, sums up in a sentence the attitude of 1871 House and their staff . While never being intrusive, their door was always ajar and they were always welcoming. They shared my concern when a package I was expecting failed to arrive in the post and they were as happy as I was when it finally turned up!

The room was exactly as portrayed on the website, a wonderful departure from the sterility of most modern hotels. The walls were covered with beautiful antique paintings and the furniture too was delightfully chosen to blend in. Part of the charm was down to the fact that, although some modern amenities were provided (TV, DVD Player, radio alarm etc.), one still got the feel that one was in a late 19th Century room where floor boards squeaked, pipes banged and doors sometimes didn't quite fit. To 'fix' all these quirks would definitely be a retrograde step in my opinion.

I was fortunate enough to be able to view a couple of the other suites with a future stay in mind and can confirm that they all exude a similar authenticity.

The location has to be one of the best in Manhattan. Two subway stations are within a 5 minute walk as is Bloomingdales. Central Park is no more than 10 minutes away and the neighbourhood is peppered with restaurants from local diners, through French bistros to upmarket eateries. Once again, the knowledgeable staff will give you good advice on where to go depending on your tastes.

I was never aware of any noise from any of the other guests (save the odd footstep outside my door) and the bed was an absolute delight - firm and comfortable. I had worried about it being cold in the room and possibly needing to light a fire but I had to kick off the quilt and sleep beneath a sheet and single blanket every night I was there.

This isn't a budget hotel but, in life, you get what you pay for and I will gladly recommend it to friends and look to stay there again on my inevitable return to my favourite city.
Guest from Maidetone, UK

Breakfast At Tiffany's

If you've seen the movie "Breakfast At Tiffany's," you'll recall Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) lived in a NYC walkup apartment converted from a city townhouse. Whenever I think of 1871 House, I'm reminded of the winding staircase in the movie with apartments on every floor. At one time in its storied past, 1871 House served the same purpose, except now its former apartments are elegant rooms at a quiet and cozy inn. It's very romantic for couples and quiet and secure for singles and families.In one of the nicer neighborhoods in the city, the 1871 House is convenient to all sorts of amenities, the bus & subway, shops & businesses, even Bloomingdale's, are all are a short walk away. Within one block are several restaurants and grocery stores, some of which are open 24 hours. For the best bagels, try The Bread Factory in the same block on Lexington. Traveling alone, I always felt safe, even when out walking at night.For me, staying at 1871 House is SO much better than a city hotel, no matter how upscale. You feel like you live in the city, not just passing through. The prices are competitive with 3 and 4 star hotels in NYC. I stayed at one of those "posh" hotels on Central Park South. The room was nice but so small I could barely turn around. I also stayed at a nationwide chain hotel in NYC and was unpleasantly surprised at how poorly kept the facilities were. From what I've seen in "Sex and the City," the room decor at the 1871 House rivals those in the Stanhope Fifth Avenue. True, there's no room service at the 1871 House, but then, if the city loses power, you don't have to climb 22 stories to get to your room!The innkeepers, Warren & Lia Raum, are friendly & helpful without being intrusive. I can't imagine staying anywhere else when I visit New York. For a "Home away from Home" experience, or, if your home's like mine, a MUCH NICER Home away from Home, visit the 1871 House and stay a while! 

A guest from Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Other B&B websites:
Bed and breakfast in Vienna - Austria guesthouse and rooms in calm mansion situation, with very good connection into the center of Vienna.

Cancellation Policy:

Guests changing or canceling a confirmed reservation more than 60 days prior to arrival are subject to a 15% charge (15% of total room charge).

Guests changing or canceling a confirmed reservation within 31-60 days prior to arrival are subject to a 25% charge (25% of total room charge).

Guests changing or canceling a confirmed reservation 30 or fewer days prior to their arrival date will be charged the full room rate, plus tax, for the full amount of the reserved stay.

Cancellations within 30 days of the arrival date are non-cancelable/refundable and are subject to a full charge.

• Cancellation notifications need to be made in writing. Email notifications are fine, however, please do not assume we have received your notification unless you have received confirmation from us. You may also send us a notification by certified mail, return receipt requested. If you are notifying us by phone, you must follow up with a written notification.
• Guests changing or canceling some portion of a confirmed reservation will be charged a percentage of the cost of that portion. The percentage will be determined by the time frames above (15% when done more than 60 days prior to arrival; 25% when done 31-60 days prior to arrival; non-cancelable when done 30 days or less).
• Guests cannot change a reservation to be for fewer nights than the minimum night stay requirement.  1871 House maintains a four-night minimum for the majority of the year.
• If circumstances necessitate a reservation cancellation, please inform us as soon as possible. This will provide you  with the best possible opportunity to salvage some portion of the financial outlay.
• Rooms are held for the duration of the reservation unless we are informed otherwise.
• No-shows, late check-ins & early check-outs are responsible for payment of the entire reservation. Read further for clarification on no-shows: By making a reservation with the hotel, you accept and agree to the relevant cancellation and no-show policy. As we are a small establishment, cancellations and no shows affect us significantly. Please take special note of our no-show policy. If, after 24 hours from the expected arrival time and date, no communications have been exchanged between the innkeeper and guest (via email or phone) and the guest has not checked in, the reserved room will be forfeited with no refund. There will be no exceptions to this policy. For this reason, we strongly recommend guests purchase travel insurance.
• Cancellations or changes made after check-in are subject to a 100% penalty.
• Reservations 7 days or longer are non-cancelable and non-refundable and not dependent on the timing of the cancellation. Guest is responsible for all charges.
• Multiple room reservations are non-cancelable and non-refundable and not dependent on the timing of the cancellation.
• We do not permit “postponing” of reservations if requested within 30 or fewer days of the arrival date.
• We do not issue credit toward a future stay if requested within 30 or fewer days of the arrival date.

• Rather than forfeit the service charge on a refundable deposit, you may choose to apply the full amount of the deposit to a future reservation within the same year.
• We understand that unforeseen events or circumstances may cause you to cancel or change your reservation (for example: health and family matters, conditions or issues related to weather or natural disasters, code alerts, or personal anxieties regarding current world affairs).  It is for this reason we advise all guests to get travel insurance.  We are unable to issue refunds or credits toward future stays for reservations canceled within 30 days of the arrival date.
• This cancellation policy is applicable to changes in the number of guests in a travel group.  For example, if one or more persons in the travel group cancels their trip for any reason (thereby reducing the total number of persons that will occupy the suite or room). If it is uncertain how many guests are to be accommodated, we recommend booking for the fewest number and then adding just prior to the arrival date.  
• If a room is canceled, partial credits may be available only if the following conditions are met:

1.    We are able to re-let room canceled for the original reservation period

2. If the canceled room is re-let for the original reservation period, we are able to achieve the same rate or a higher rate (1871 House offers “procrastinator” rates in order to fill last-minute vacancies. Therefore rooms booked on short notice are likely to be discounted. Suites may be offered at studio rates on a last minute basis)
3. We are fully occupied otherwise
4. In order to achieve full occupancy as quickly as possible, owner has option of offering canceled room to potential guests even if other rooms are available. If a canceled room is re-let but other vacant rooms are available, no credit would be forthcoming. Credit for a cancellation will not be offered if 1871 House is not fully booked for dates canceled
5. Refund checks are processed at the end of each month
6. Credits are issued at the discretion of the owner
7. General Disclaimer – The innkeepers will only refund a room after arrival if room is substantially unusable (defined as floods, fires and major infestation).  There will be no refund for occurrences that are common to any major metropolitan townhouse/building structure, such as: external noise, small leaks, faint smells, sighting of a mouse (vermin) or insect, faucet drips, regional or citywide black-outs, watermain breaks, etc.

Rooms Overbooked: 1871 House does not employ the technique of overbooking its rooms to help insure the highest occupancy rates possible. If due to human error a room at the 1871 House has been overbooked, priority will be given to the guest who booked first. Should this happen and no other rooms are available at the house, a full refund will be made. In addition, 1871 House will provide assistance in finding alternative lodging. Though we will make a conscientious effort to find alternative lodging, 1871 House cannot guarantee that comparable lodging (space, location or price) will be found and cannot be responsible for any differences in rates.

Government Actions: 1871 House shall not be held responsible for relocating guests for any and all actions taken by federal, state or city agencies or authorities (e.g. Right of Eminent Domain, condemnation, zoning, building or fire department enforcement rulings or changes). Any pre-paid monies paid by guest will be refunded in full.

In-operability: 1871 House shall not be held responsible for relocating guests due to inability to operate for any and all hazards and damages (e.g. Fire, flood, smoke or other damages caused by natural disasters)
 

Travel Insurance: Due to the cancellation fees associated with canceling a confirmed reservation at 1871 House, we highly recommend the purchase of Trip Cancellation Insurance. Over the many years that we have been in business, a fair number of guests have had their flights cancelled due to bad weather (especially in the cold weather months) as well as encounter  unforeseen illness in the family. Please consider getting some (you’ll be happy you have it should you need it). To find travel insurance, “Google” travel insurance. Insurance is offered by many companies and varies depending on location.

Travel insurance plans provide you with insurance coverage for your travel investment if unforeseen weather conditions cause a delay or cancellation of your trip. If the weather forces you to cancel your trip for a covered reason, travel insurance will reimburse your nonrefundable expenses, up to the amount of coverage you purchase. If bad weather delays your trip for a covered reason, travel insurance will reimburse you for reasonable, additional accommodations and traveling expenses until travel is possible.

Notes on Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations affect us significantly; we have a strict cancellation policy for a number of reasons and would not be able to continue in business if we did not follow it. Our profit margins are tight, our fixed costs are high and we attempt to keep our pricing reasonable. We would have to charge more for our accommodations if we did not follow our policies. 1871 House does not intentionally “overbook” its rooms like many hotels. This means that when we get a cancellation we will often likely be completely stuck with a rapidly depleting asset. Additionally, unlike hotels, specific guest rooms that are booked are held for guests. All our rooms are different in size, character, furnishings or in other significant ways. Therefore we are unable to shift guests around and it is more difficult for us to re-book accommodations. Travelers run into a myriad of reasons that prompt adjustments in their plans from weather to security issues to family matters to health issues to business appointment changes and the list goes on. This is why we highly recommend travel insurance which is reasonable in cost and readily available. Please consider doing such. We also ask everyone to be certain that their plans are firm before booking. Please inform us immediately of a cancellation or change in plans.

·        1871 House is a small business with 7 rooms. Unlike Most Standard Hotels, 1871 House employs a strict cancellation policy which allows it to remain in a business that has very high overhead and a low profit margin. We cannot, as a small business, eat the costs of a cancellation.

·        Hotels operate under the assumption that a certain percent of their reservations will cancel or not show up and therefore book more rooms than their inventory should allow. 1871 House is a unique lodging facility in the Manhattan market place.  Once a room is reserved, it is guaranteed to our guests. Rooms are never double booked.

·        Standards Hotels are generally much larger than 1871 House and therefore bring in significantly more revenue to cover their costs.

·        One room cancelled at the 1871 House accounts for 14 per cent of that day's revenue.  One room cancelled in a hotel with 250 rooms accounts for .4% of the hotel’s daily revenue.

·        The strictness of our policy causes us to lose a good deal of business.  Conversely, because we have only 7 rooms we also turn down many requests for rooms.   

·        If a guest makes the decision not to secure travel insurance (in essence to self-insure) and the guest must cancel the reservation, unless we are able to rebook the room for the same number of days at the same rate plus our costs to process the charges) and we are fully booked otherwise, the guest is responsible for the entire charge for the room or for the portion of the nights that could not be refunded.

·        We regret we can make no exceptions for unexpected events.

·        We recommend the following course of action for guests who must cancel: Notify 1871 House (in writing) immediately or as soon as you are sure that you must cancel a part or all of your reservation.

·        Give 1871 House authorization to rebook your cancelled nights.  Without this authorization we cannot proceed with marketing the cancelled night.  The more notice we have to rebook a room the greater the chances that we will be successful.