I’ll admit, I was honestly nervous before arriving at The Gallivant Times Square. I had read quite a few negative reviews online, and they definitely made me hesitant. Unfortunately, my experience did confirm some of those warnings—particularly about the front desk. Upon check-in, we were greeted by the same sassy (or maybe just plain cocky) receptionist that several other guests have mentioned in their reviews. Not exactly the warmest welcome.
The hotel itself is very basic. There's no restaurant or any major amenities, but if you're simply looking for a place to sleep while spending most of your time exploring the city, it does the job.
Our room was reasonably clean overall, although there was some dust in the corners. Housekeeping was offered daily, which was a plus. That said, there were a few hygiene concerns. We noticed small flies on the bathroom ceiling—not pleasant, but also not a huge disturbance. However, on our last day, we found a dead cockroach, which was just gross.
Also worth noting: there was no mini-fridge in the room, which was a bit of a letdown. It’s something you’d normally expect in even budget hotels, so its absence was definitely inconvenient.
The biggest upside is the location. If you want to be right in the heart of Manhattan, you can’t beat it. You're steps away from Times Square and close to many attractions. That said, I think next time I’d personally prefer staying in SoHo or Chinatown for a different vi