Wounderful Little Urban Country Inn on E. 62nd & Park Avenue - Bed and Breakfast Rental Listing Details

The absence of a sign makes it barely visible to passers-by. Inside, the rooms are filled with many antiques and fireplaces. The decor is warm and homey. The inn (which would otherwise be considered a bed and breakfast however offers no morning meal) is located in a classic brownstone on east 62nd Street, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue.

1871 House has been honored as “inn of the month” by Country Living Magazine (September 2004) and has had many favorable reviews including: DK New York E guide (2005), Allen Sperry’s “New York’s 100 best little hotels,” Frommer’s “The Unofficial Guide to Bed and breakfasts and Country Inns in the Mid-Atlantic 1st edition and many others around the world.

The following are recent reviews of 1871 House.

DK New York eguide: First edition 2005
Page 188: 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 décor 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”
Page 20: On a leafy side street on New York’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 Museums of Art’s American Wing, where 18th- and 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.

Because of the uncertainty involved in filling rooms on short notice, cancellations affect us significantly and we also have non-recoverable expenses. Furthermore, unlike hotels, 1871 House does not overbook its rooms. This is why we ask everyone to be certain that their plans are firm, and minds made up before booking. Please inform us immediately of a cancellation or change in plans.

v 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).
v 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).
v Guests changing or canceling a confirmed reservation 30 days or less prior to arrival will be charged the full room rate plus tax for the full amount of the reserved stay. We will, however, credit patrons if we are able to re-let their rooms for the original reservation period. A minimum 25% cancellation charge will be applicable if your room is re-let to cover all administrative and processing costs. Refund checks are processed at the end of each month.
v No-shows, late check-ins & early check-outs are responsible for payment of the entire reservation.
v Reservations longer than 7 days are non-cancelable and non-refundable and not dependent on the timing of the cancellation. Guest is responsible for all charges
v Multiple room reservations are non-cancelable and non-refundable and not dependent on the timing of the cancellation
v Cancellation requests need to be made in writing
v 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.
v Reservations made within 30 days of the arrival date cannot be cancelled, changed or refunded
v No exceptions to the above policies are available including but not limited to health and family matters, weather conditions, code alerts or personal anxieties regarding currant affairs. Please see details about travel insurance below.
v A refund, minus the cancellation charge, will be given only if the room is rebooked for the rest of the stay.
Deposits

v A deposit of 50% of stay (or minimum 1st night which-ever is greater), is required to confirm a reservation (payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. Payment by check must be made in advance and must clear prior to the reservation date.) All balances are due within 30 days of reserved arrival date. Balances are automatically charged to the credit card on file. All reservations made within 30 days prior to the arrival date, must be paid in full at time of reservation. Deposits or payments by check must be guaranteed with a valid credit card.
v Your credit card must be presented and imprinted upon arrival

Smoking & candles
v Smoking is not permitted at 1871 House (including the exterior terrace). We must adhere strictly to this policy due to insurance and fire laws; we can smell the smoke even if you open the window in your room and blow it outside. Evidence of smoking in the room will result in a charge of $250. $250 will be billed to cover the additional cleaning for smoking in the room and loss of revenue. Please don’t make us fine you $250 or evict your for smoking. No open flames of any kind, including lit cigarettes or burning candles, are allowed in the building. If there is any evidence of smoking, the innkeepers may ask the guests involved to leave.

Taxes:
v 13.275% tax plus $2.00 occupancy tax, per room per day. For purposes of calculating the $2/room/night tax, please note the following: All rooms with kitchenettes are considered to have two rooms. If you are booking the entire library suite, calculate using 3 rooms and if you are booking the Garden Room or Front library, calculate using one room and if you are booking either the Madison or Lexington Suites, calculate using 4 rooms. Garden and Front Library are $2.00 per day, Parlor, Rear Library and Mission Studio are $4 and Madison and Lexington Suites (4 rooms) are $8.00. Plus a flat development tax of $1.50 per room night. These fees are not included in the room rate.
v Guests staying a minimum of seven nights may opt to waive New York State sales tax (8.38%) however must still pay New York City Hotel Tax (5% plus $2/room/night). This option is available through The New York State department of finance (Bungalow provision, see below) and is only available to guests staying in a facility with no more than 10 units and where housekeeping is not provided throughout the stay.
Bungalow Exception: available to guests staying a minimum of seven nights
v Available to guests staying a minimum of seven nights.
v unique to facilities having fewer than 10 units.
v If you opt for the Bungalow provision:
v you pay the hotel tax (5% plus $2 per room per day)
v you are exempt from paying sales tax (a savings of 8.625%)
v other than garbage removal, no housekeeping services will be rendered during your stay
v If you are staying at least seven nights and would like to take advantage of this option, you must notify us at least 30 days in advance of your stay. As a reminder, if you opt for the bungalow provision, no housekeeping (except for trash removal) will be provided during your stay (this is an integral part of the Law and is regulated by the NYS department of taxations). Clean sheets and towels can be picked up by guests every 4-5 days or as needed. Trash should be separated and brought down every other day or as needed or will be picked up.