Husband and I have been planning a little trip to NY to celebrate a certain May accomplishment. I've made the arrangements via hotwire, and was initially ELATED--yes that's ELATED--at what I believed to be an awesome deal. But I'm beginning to think I've been sort of duped....

We made reservations for the Paramount, which looks terrific on the website. It's in a prime location and has sort of a hipster feel. The design was done by Phillipe Starck, and the rooms have reprints of Vermeers instead of headboards. The rooms however, are tiny and the furnishings all seem to be from IKEA, but I figured that was why we almost can afford it. Through hotwire, we got a much better price than they offer on the hotel website or what I've seen on any of the 30 zillon other travel sites I checked. (Expedia has the best pictures, but not the best prices.)

BUT....I should have done just a little more research.

Turns out the Paramount is in the process of becoming a Hard Rock Hotel. Hmmm.

That could be cool, but it is so not what I bargained for. Thought we were getting funky independent hotel, but instead we're getting big chain, under construction. I suspect we've signed up for tiny rooms, but without the compensating charm. Grr.