Central Booking NYC: Not Quite Your Average Hotel (But Just As Confusing)
So you've found yourself in the concrete jungle, the city that never sleeps, the place where dreams are made of and... arrested? Well, hold on to your fedoras, because you might be on your way to a one-night (or slightly longer) stay at a not-so-glamorous accommodation: Central Booking NYC.
What is it? (Don't worry, it's not a sketchy hostel)
Central Booking isn't exactly a five-star resort. Think of it more as a processing center for, ahem, distinguished guests of the NYPD. It's where you go after getting arrested to be fingerprinted, interviewed, and held until your court date. Basically, it's like a budget hotel with a mandatory perp walk included in the price.
There's one in each borough (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx), so depending on where your, uh, adventure unfolded, you might get a slightly different experience. But hey, at least the commute's convenient, right?
What NOT to Expect (Unless You Like Really Terrible Service)
- Room service: Forget a complimentary basket of muffins. Here, your meals come courtesy of the corrections department, and the menu might be a little...beige.
- Concierge: The closest you'll get to a concierge is a police officer who might (maybe) answer a question or two. But don't expect any recommendations for the hottest nightclubs.
- Minibar: There's definitely no minibar. In fact, the only bar service you'll get is having your mugshot taken.
- Early check-out: Unfortunately, checking out early isn't really an option. You'll have to wait for your court date before you can hightail it out of there.
Important Note: Central Booking is not a place you want to visit on vacation. If you're planning a trip to NYC, stick to the sightseeing and skip the "perp walk package."
So, what's the takeaway?
Central Booking NYC: it's not the Ritz-Carlton, but it's an experience, that's for sure. Just remember, if you ever find yourself there, try to stay positive (it's hard, we know) and hopefully, your stay won't be too long.
P.S. If you do end up at Central Booking, maybe write a Yelp review afterwards. We're sure future "guests" would appreciate the inside scoop. (Just kidding... kind of)
