Reading the New York Times this morning, I came upon this little article called “Affordable Boutique Hotels in New York City.” In it, the writer says,
The trend began about three years ago, with a trickle of boutiquey places like the Pod, the Ace and the Jane — which offered a patina of style without the premium prices. It has accelerated in recent months, with a raft of new hotels promising cool design, nods to local flavor and wallet-friendly rates of about $200 to $250.
Let’s call this the Abu Ghraib syndrome. A group of people, together too long without perspective from the outside world, agree on a set of truths and ethics that a person coming in from the outside would be appalled by. What’s wallet-friendly about $200 or $250 a night?
Who stole our wonderful, artist-friendly city?
I know: We know who stole our city. I just feel pretty upset that I can’t afford to live there anymore, and I feel disgusted with the Times for being complicit in this Republican, rich man’s perspective.
Deitch 
Trish – I felt the same way when I read that story. And I also felt the same way when I read the Frugal Traveler piece about flying to Miami for the weekend. Yikes. I remember hanging out in the East Village in the 80’s when anyone and everyone could come and bring their dreams and nightmares for the cost of a squat in a railroad flat in Alphabet City.
It sure seems like the great Gray Lady of the Times has been face-lifted, botoxed, and removed of any semblance of interesting wrinkles.