Stayed here one night, Saturday July 10, for $95. I was in the room only to sleep, so I can't give many details, but I was very pleased with the hotel. The room was smallish, but that is standard for Manhattan, and there was enough room to move around (a bit). They didn't ask at check-in what kind of bed(s) I wanted, but since I was alone it didn't matter. I got one double bed, good firm mattress. The bathroom was new and spotlessly clean. Effective A/C, cable TV.

One thing: at check-in, they gave me something to sign, and by reading the fine print I noticed that they were charging me $1.09 per night for use of a safe. Since I was not planning to use this I drew this to their attention and they told me to cross it out. A lot of people don't bother with the fine print, so be aware of this sneaky practice.

The hotel is well located, across the street from the Public Library and fairly convenient to transportation. There is no subway very close, however, which may be an issue to some.

All in all, though, this is the first 3* Priceline hotel I've stayed at in Manhattan that lived up to expectations. Last year I stayed at the Shoreham, which was then rated 4* (it has since been downgraded to 3*), and I was not very happy -- the Clarion is newer, brighter in appearance, and has a more comfortable bed -- and several years ago I stayed at Club Quarters Downtown, which was then rated 3* (it has since been downgraded I believe) and was disappointed in the room and the hotel's location.

I'd happily stay here again.

So, let me tell you about the Clarion Fifth Avenue.

The hotel is adequate at best. The walls are thin, and the bed is mediocre (to be generous). I tried to get two doubles instead of one "king" size (which is more like a double), but that was considered an upgrade. I didn't expect to be pampered in a 3* hotel, but this is a little bit lower than what I've come to expect from 3* hotels. The room and the bathroom were clean. The staff is very friendly, but will not go out of their way to accommodate you if you're a priceline or hotwire customer (I think we've all come to expect that by now).

Another thing: They're changing their name to Hotel 5A. I'm not sure if this says anything about the quality of the hotel, etc., but I suspect they might be being dropped from the Clarion chain because this is not a hotel that's up to the Clarion standard?