Migrants rave about ‘spectacular,’ trendy four-star NYC hotel-turned-shelter
monty39
New York
August 15, 2023
A high-end hotel converted into one of New York City’s latest shelters is getting top-notch reviews from its new migrant residents, who are thrilled with the “spectacular” conditions — but unhappy locals say the absence of tourists is already majorly impacting business.
The Collective Paper Factory’s newest guests started arriving at the industrial-hip hotel in Long Island City last week after it was turned into an emergency migrant shelter amid the Big Apple’s ongoing struggles to house the relentless influx of asylum seekers flooding in.
“Muy bonita (very pretty),” Colombian migrant Cledys Maria, 42, told The Post this week of her new, modern digs.
“It has two beds. The bathroom is spectacular. Everything is nice,” the mom of three, who is sharing a room at the hotel-turned-shelter with her husband and their 29-year-old son, added.
A Venezuelan migrant, who didn’t want to be named, agreed they had it good at the four-star hotel.
“The floor is polished concrete. The shower is very, very big. Beautiful tile and stone. There is a little kitchen,” the asylum seeker said.
“We’re very happy to be here.”
Some locals, however, weren’t so thrilled with the sudden influx of new guests.
Manuel Roman, who owns the All American Coffee Shop across the street, told The Post his business has dropped “50% since the tourists left” and were replaced by asylum seekers.
“Just two weeks ago, my place was packed during lunch hours. Now, take a look around. There’s no one here,” he fumed.
“I came to this country from Mexico 30 years ago. I worked hard. I saved. I built a business. Now the city is destroying it. I’m not making enough money to survive. I’ve got rent to pay, taxes to pay.
“These people moving in, they don’t have taxes,” he continued. “All their needs are taken care of. What a great city this is — for them. But it’s killing me.”
A high-end hotel converted into one of New York City’s latest shelters is getting top-notch reviews from its new migrant residents, who are thrilled with the “spectacular” conditions — but unhappy locals say the absence of tourists is already majorly impacting business.
The Collective Paper Factory’s newest guests started arriving at the industrial-hip hotel in Long Island City last week after it was turned into an emergency migrant shelter amid the Big Apple’s ongoing struggles to house the relentless influx of asylum seekers flooding in.
“Muy bonita (very pretty),” Colombian migrant Cledys Maria, 42, told The Post this week of her new, modern digs.
“It has two beds. The bathroom is spectacular. Everything is nice,” the mom of three, who is sharing a room at the hotel-turned-shelter with her husband and their 29-year-old son, added.
A Venezuelan migrant, who didn’t want to be named, agreed they had it good at the four-star hotel.
“The floor is polished concrete. The shower is very, very big. Beautiful tile and stone. There is a little kitchen,” the asylum seeker said.
“We’re very happy to be here.”
Some locals, however, weren’t so thrilled with the sudden influx of new guests.
Manuel Roman, who owns the All American Coffee Shop across the street, told The Post his business has dropped “50% since the tourists left” and were replaced by asylum seekers.
“Just two weeks ago, my place was packed during lunch hours. Now, take a look around. There’s no one here,” he fumed.
“I came to this country from Mexico 30 years ago. I worked hard. I saved. I built a business. Now the city is destroying it. I’m not making enough money to survive. I’ve got rent to pay, taxes to pay.
“These people moving in, they don’t have taxes,” he continued. “All their needs are taken care of. What a great city this is — for them. But it’s killing me.”
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