New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-28
THE P4TES or NEW- YORK HOTELS.


So many of our readers have occasion at one
time or another to avail themselves of the COM
forts of the big inns which are conspicuous tea-
lures of ourprincpal streets and avenues, thatthe
discussion in tO-days issue, of the prices which
prevail in New York hotels is certain TO receive
wide attention. Western visitors as class
think the rates here too high and praise the
hotels of Chicago and other cities for their com
narrative cheapness. And this opinion seems to
be spreading. At first blush it certainly zap
pears exorbitant to be eXacting the same sums
for rooms and meals that were charged IN the
flush days of the war, when gold was at the
highest and provisions cost much more than
they cost now. In other columns the landlords
try TO explain 1t will be seen at glance that
there is no small diversity of view among
them as to the present condition of the hotel
business in New-York, as to the causes of that
condition. and as to the prospects of their
houses. But they are unit concerning rents.
They say with one voice that the rents which
they are forced to pay are ont of all reason. On
other points there are almost as many opinions
as there are speakers. Whether apartment
houses are hurtingthc hotels and how far, IL dis
puted. Some of the landlords are doing all the
business they want-Or at least they say they
are Others are less foTtunate-Or more candid.
One resolute manager would not reduce prices
anvway-a change would bring in II less salts
factory class of patrons.
1t is plain on the face of ii that the hotels of
New-York have been exceedingly prosperous
for the last three or four years. People who
have come to the city during the busy months
without engaging quarters i'll advance have
often found this out TO their sorrow. Other
peoDle who desired to take rooms for the win
ter have been profoundly impressed by the fig
ures at which the managers hold the rooms ana
by their easy indifference as to the acceptance
or rejection of their terms. There has been so
much profit in hotel building and bookkeeping
that the number of lofty and far-strctching
structures used for that purpose has multiplied
to an amazing extent Having dwelt for sew
eral seasons on the heights of prosperity, to
their own great satisfaction. if not always al
together to that of their guests, some of our
keepers are now forced to take look into
the valleys of adversely. Even the best of them
cannot expect 50 generous returns from the
public during the coming winter as they en-
loved last year. The question whether it is adj
visable to lower prices to increase business is
therefore a serious one just now.
If there is to be any reduction, it is not the
landlords only who must come down" The
owners of the buildings must cOncede some
thing. If they do not they are likely soon to
have some of their property on their hands.
The guests must be prepared to content them
selves with somewhat less luxury. In the
rivalry of our great taverns extravaganza of
furnishing and decoration has been carried to
the extreme, and the bills of fare have been cX-
tended and overloaded in the most lavish way.
If the patrons Of the hotels are willing to con-
tinue to pay such rates as will support such Il
scale of expenditure, our landlords will, of
course continue to crafty them. But there are
many signs in the air that a season of compare
tive simplicity is inevitable after the era of cx-
travagancc through which we have been pass
ing.