I have been there twice in the last several weeks and if rude staff, is what you are looking for then go for it. From the check in staff to the people on the phone they really have lost their customer service. I am in NY about twice a month and this isn't a "NY thing" it is this hotel. The Essex House has lovely staff and I'd staff there (if they were not over sold).

This hotel is newly renovated and the lobby looks quite nice, too bad they didn't spend time with the staff in retraining.