Academy Hotel

For those of us in New Jersey, particularly when exploring lodging options within Jersey City, it's essential to have clear, factual information about available accommodations. The Academy Hotel, located at 168 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, is one such establishment that may appear in local searches. When considering any hotel or lodging, especially from a local perspective, understanding its characteristics and what it offers is crucial for making informed decisions.

It's important to frame the Academy Hotel based on available public data. While the name "hotel" might suggest a standard commercial lodging experience, reviews and public information indicate that this property may operate differently. The nature of some of the public feedback suggests that this establishment might function more as a long-term residential building or a form of single-room occupancy (SRO) rather than a transient hotel. Understanding this distinction is key for locals, whether they are looking for temporary housing for themselves, advising out-of-town guests, or simply seeking to comprehend the various types of accommodations available in our vibrant city. Our goal here is to provide a factual overview based solely on the provided information, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.

The Academy Hotel is situated at 168 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, USA. This address places it in a central and highly accessible part of Jersey City, particularly within the Journal Square area. Academy Street itself is a well-known thoroughfare, offering direct connections to key parts of the city and beyond.

The accessibility of this location is one of its notable aspects. The Journal Square area is a major transportation hub for Jersey City and the wider New Jersey/New York metropolitan area.

• Public Transportation: The Academy Hotel is located exceptionally close to the Journal Square Transportation Center. This hub provides:
  • PATH Train Service: Direct and frequent train service to Manhattan (World Trade Center and Midtown/33rd Street), Newark, and Hoboken. This is a significant advantage for anyone needing to commute or visit New York City.
  • NJ Transit Buses: Numerous bus routes converge at Journal Square, offering extensive connections throughout Jersey City, Hudson County, and surrounding areas. This makes it very convenient for residents and visitors to navigate the city without a personal vehicle.
• Walkability: The area around 168 Academy Street boasts a very high Walk Score®, indicating that daily errands do not require a car. Many amenities, including diverse dining options, retail stores, and local businesses, are within easy walking distance.
• Road Access: While street parking can be challenging in this dense urban environment, Academy Street provides direct vehicular access to major roads in Jersey City, facilitating travel for those who do drive. However, specific parking provisions for the hotel itself are not detailed in the provided information.

Overall, the Academy Hotel's location is highly convenient for connectivity, particularly for individuals who rely on public transportation or prefer to walk to amenities.

Based on the nature of the provided reviews, the services offered by the Academy Hotel appear to cater to a very specific type of lodging, potentially leaning towards long-term or affordable housing rather than standard transient hotel stays. Given the public feedback, a traditional list of hospitality services like concierge, daily housekeeping, or room service is not applicable. Instead, the services seem to revolve around basic shelter and tenancy management:

• Residential Lodging: The primary service offered is providing living space, likely in the form of individual rooms, for tenants. The review mentioning "$800/monthly" suggests a monthly rental model, indicating it functions more as a residential building than a short-stay hotel.
• Basic Shelter Provision: The establishment provides fundamental housing, offering a roof over one's head in an urban environment.
• Tenant Management: The presence of an "owner" interacting directly with individuals (as described in a review) suggests a direct management approach for the tenants residing there. This would include rent collection and handling of property-related issues.
• Maintenance (as perceived by tenants): While a review mentions "rodents, bedbugs, and mold" and a call for the "place to be shut down permanently," this suggests that maintenance services, or the lack thereof, are a central aspect of the tenant experience. The quality and responsiveness of these services are clearly a point of concern based on the provided feedback.
• Security Measures (as perceived by tenants): One review describes a concerning incident with the owner, implying a particular approach to property security and interaction with individuals perceived to be interfering with "tenants."

It is crucial to note that the above interpretations of services are based solely on the nature of the provided customer reviews, which highlight significant issues regarding living conditions and tenant relations.

Based on the provided customer reviews, the "features" and "highlights" of the Academy Hotel are presented through the lens of resident experiences, which primarily indicate significant concerns rather than positive attributes typically associated with a hotel.

• Highly Problematic Management/Owner Behavior: A recurring and prominent highlight (though negative) is the alleged behavior of the owner. One review describes an incident of screaming, threats, and aggressive confrontation, indicating an environment that can be unsettling for individuals. The "ransom note" like sign about respecting tenants further underscores this perceived confrontational management style.
• Substandard Living Conditions: Multiple reviews point to severe issues with the living environment. Mentions of "rodents, bedbugs, and mold" are critical highlights, indicating significant concerns regarding sanitation, pest control, and structural integrity within the property. This suggests that the basic living conditions are a major challenge for residents.
• Lack of Property Maintenance: The complaint about "broken glass into the tiny amount of grass" and the implication that maintenance neglects issues (e.g., pests, mold) highlights a serious lack of proper upkeep and concern for the immediate environment around the building, including areas accessible to the public and animals.
• Poor Value for Cost: A former resident's statement, "For $800/monthly, the cost every month isn't worth it," directly highlights that the perceived features and living conditions do not justify the monthly rent. This suggests a significant disconnect between expectation and reality for tenants.
• Questionable Safety and Security for Public and Tenants: The threatening behavior from the owner and the presence of broken glass outside raise serious concerns about the safety and security not only for tenants but also for the general public, including pets, in the immediate vicinity.
• Call for Permanent Closure: The strong sentiment, "This place needs to be shut down permanently," is a critical highlight, indicating extreme dissatisfaction and serious public welfare concerns as expressed by a former tenant.

These points, derived directly from customer reviews, paint a picture of a property with significant operational and safety concerns that are far from desirable features for any lodging establishment.

Given the nature of the provided customer reviews, which highlight significant issues with management, living conditions, and tenant experiences, it is highly unlikely that the Academy Hotel offers any typical commercial "promotions" or "special offers" in the way a conventional hotel or lodging establishment would.

Commercial promotions usually aim to attract customers by offering incentives like discounted rates, loyalty programs, or package deals. The feedback provided, however, points to fundamental operational and habitability issues that would preclude such marketing efforts. The focus of the establishment, based on the reviews ("place I've lived," "$800/monthly"), appears to be on providing long-term, possibly low-cost, residential accommodation, rather than attracting short-term hotel guests with promotional campaigns.

Therefore, any section on "Promotions or Special Offers" would be misleading if it suggested standard hospitality marketing. Instead, the publicly available information suggests that the primary "offer" is simply the availability of basic shelter, which, according to the reviews, comes with significant drawbacks. There is no indication of any ongoing or past promotional activities, discounts, or special packages. Locals should manage their expectations accordingly, as this property does not appear to operate within the framework of a traditional hotel offering commercial incentives.

For direct contact with the Academy Hotel, including any inquiries regarding its operations, residency, or to address concerns, the following information has been publicly provided:

Address: 168 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, USA

Phone: (201) 656-7835

Mobile Phone: +1 201-656-7835

These phone numbers serve as the direct lines to the establishment. Individuals may use them to inquire about the nature of the accommodation, potential tenancy, or to attempt to report or resolve issues, although past reviews suggest challenges in these areas. It is important to note that these are contact details for the private entity operating at this address, not for municipal services or emergency situations. For any health, safety, or legal concerns related to tenant welfare, residents should contact the appropriate Jersey City municipal authorities or tenant advocacy groups.

Based on the publicly available customer reviews, the Academy Hotel, located at 168 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ, presents a highly problematic and, frankly, unsuitable option for locals seeking typical hotel accommodations or even stable residential lodging. The direct feedback from former tenants and individuals interacting with the property paints a stark picture that warrants serious consideration for anyone in New Jersey.

The core issues highlighted by reviews, such as alleged aggressive behavior from the owner, the presence of "rodents, bedbugs, and mold," and the concern over "broken glass" being left around the property, fundamentally undermine any suitability for a comfortable or safe stay. These are critical health, safety, and habitability concerns that far outweigh any potential benefit of its central location.

While its location near Journal Square offers excellent public transportation access, this convenience is severely negated by the reported living conditions and management issues. For $800 a month, as one reviewer mentioned, residents should expect basic standards of safety, cleanliness, and respectful treatment, none of which appear to be consistently met according to the provided testimonials. The strong sentiment from a former tenant that "This place needs to be shut down permanently" indicates a significant failure to provide acceptable living standards.

Therefore, from the perspective of New Jersey locals seeking reliable, safe, and comfortable lodging for themselves or their guests, the Academy Hotel, as described by these reviews, is not suitable. Instead, the information provided here serves as a crucial warning. For anyone considering this location, or for local authorities and community advocates, these reviews should prompt careful investigation into the property's living conditions and management practices to ensure the welfare of its residents and the safety of the surrounding community. Locals should explore alternative accommodation options in Jersey City that prioritize guest and tenant well-being and provide a much higher standard of living.

Academy Hotel

168 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306, USA