Hotel Review: Most rooms at the micro-hotel Arlo SoHo are barely 150 square feet - here's what it's like to stay there

Talk about a sweet welcome: the first thing you'll notice as you enter Arlo SoHo is a huge wall of bulk candy within a mini offshoot of famed store, Dylan's Candy Bar. It's part of the hotel's "bodega," which is a 24/7 convenience store in the lobby.

Lest I became one with the gummy worms, I quickly moved along and was pleased to find that a concierge was free to check me in. I arrived exactly at 3 p.m., the designated check-in time, and was surprised to see the lobby fairly empty. The staff were friendly and incredibly efficient at getting people squared away and up to their rooms.

The concierge did forget to tell me where the elevators were, but in all fairness, we were both distracted by a guest who interrupted to ask if the roof was upstairs — it was — so I don't blame him for being thrown off a bit.

Looking for the elevators actually gave me a good opportunity to become more acquainted with the hotel. I wandered the ground floor and admired workspaces with a mid-century modern vibe, a lobby bar with lots of dark wood and leather, and a gorgeous courtyard in the midst of being decked out for fall.

After a quick lap, I found the elevators tucked away out of sight. As many members of the public frequent the bar and common spaces, this is likely an attempt to prevent them from finding their way upstairs. Though, they wouldn't be able to anyway, room keys must be tapped to select your floor.

As I opened the door to my room, I couldn't help but laugh. I knew the room would be small — they're clearly stated to be around 150 square feet when booking — but I still wasn't prepared for just how tight it would look and feel.

The focal point was the bed, and with good reason. It was perched in an alcove set up surrounded by walls on three sides, for a bunk bed-meets-canopy effect. Yet rather than feeling closed in, I thought it felt incredibly inviting and comforting. With thick, fluffy pillows and a plush down comforter, it was like a cozy nest I was immediately drawn to.

Thankfully, Arlo SoHo has never appeared on the bed bug registry, so I had no hesitations about diving right in. I liked the alcove set up, though, if you're sharing the bed with someone, there might be some climbing and scooching necessary to get both partners in and out.

The shower was one of the best I've ever experienced in a hotel. I actually typically dread taking showers in hotels because I find the water never gets hot quickly enough, the temperature is inconsistent, or the water pressure to be notoriously bad.

This was not the case at all at Arlo. The pressure from the giant waterfall showerhead was outstanding and reached my desired temperature within seconds.

Arlo's toiletries were sourced from Blind Barber, a boutique barbershop with East Village roots (tip: visit the speakeasy bar), and I loved the citrusy, energizing lemongrass and rooibos scent. Large bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel were locked into an apparatus in an attempt to be more eco-friendly.

I appreciated that, though I would have liked the opportunity to stash some to take home. Fortunately, major online retailers like Target sell them.

One big downside to this room is the toilet. The only barrier between the toilet and the rest of the room is a sliding glass door with a pretty sizeable gap at the top that leaves little to the imagination, even when closed.

It's akin to doing your business in a public restroom, but paired with already tight quarters, you'll want to be really comfortable with your travel companion. Worst case, banish them to one of the many bars for 15 minutes if you truly require total privacy.

Arlo SoHo is engineered for socialization. There are a whopping four bars on-site in what is not a giant hotel. There's one in the lobby adjacent to an outdoor courtyard, one inside the hotel restaurant Harold's, and two on the roof — one indoor and one outdoor.

Each evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Harold's hosts a free happy hour for guests with complimentary beer, wine, and small snacks. I stopped by for a bit and found it impressively bustling for a Monday night. The crowd seemed to be mainly young professionals traveling solo for business trips, and mingling was in full effect.

The hotel's focal point, and most Instagrammable spot by a mile, was the seasonally-decorated courtyard. I observed the transition from their summer setup — a 1960s Woodstock-themed "Summer of Love" pop-up, complete with a Volkswagen Beetle with psychedelic paint-job — to the fall installation.

Though I wasn't able to get the full effect of the forthcoming autumnal wonderland, it was shaping up nicely. A myriad of pumpkins, corn stalks, and decorative gourds flanked two cabins that you'll be able to actually reserve for two-hour time slots for dinner. Bedeck yourself in flannel and hiking boots to really immerse yourself in the experience. And you don't have to be a hotel guest to indulge, anyone can make a reservation by giving Harold's a call.

Arlo also sets itself apart with a bike rental program that is free for guests. From dawn until dusk, you can check out a cruiser and explore the city.

While I wouldn't recommend taking to the Manhattan streets unless you're a seasoned cyclist, Hudson River Park is a mere three blocks away with protected bike lanes that run along nearly the entire length of the west side of Manhattan. It's a great way to experience New York.

SoHo is a shopping mecca. If you're into streetwear, Nike, Adidas, and Opening Ceremony will be your go-tos. For luxury brands, check out storefronts from APC, Céline, and Isabel Marant.

While the East and West Village often get the most hype for foodie hotspots, SoHo is home to most of my favorite restaurants. For breakfast, get pastries from Dominique Ansel (skip the cronut and go for a kouign amann), sit down for bagels and smoked fish at Sadelle's, or indulge in pizza at Rubirosa. I also discovered Taco Dumbo while at Arlo, and was thrilled to find something so affordable and delicious in a neighborhood that tends to be very swanky.

For sightseeing, Arlo is a short walk from the 1 train, which can get you to Times Square in about 15 minutes. A trip downtown to Battery Park will take roughly the same amount of time.

Arlo SoHo has an outstanding 4.6 out of 5 on Trip Advisor and ranks number 49 out of 507 hotels in New York City. The hotel has a rating of 8.6 out of 10 on Booking.com as well.

The most common complaint in negative reviews are related to room size and the lack of bathroom privacy, both of which were my biggest gripes as well. But most tend to rave about the chic vibe, cleanliness, and rooftop bar.

Who stays here: Those who want to experience downtown New York and go beyond the typical tourist spots. The crowd is a mix of young professionals on business trips and visiting shoppers who want to be in close proximity to New York's retail playground.

We like: The alcove bed. While I was initially surprised at the small, tight set up, it turned out to be an incredibly cozy and comforting focal point of the room. The generous number of super fluffy down pillows helped too.

We love (don't miss this feature!): The outdoor rooftop bar. Grab a drink at sunset and enjoy some stunning views.

We think you should know: The bathroom offers very hardly any privacy. The sliding glass door leaves a visual gap and little to no barrier.

We'd do this differently next time: Splurge and upgrade to one of the terrace rooms when it's warmer out. The extra space would be worth the higher price tag, and I'd love to take an outdoor shower in the middle of Manhattan, which is available on some terraces. How cool is that?

Stay at the Arlo SoHo if you prefer to treat a hotel room like a crash pad. It's not a space you'll want to lounge in all day, because there's just not enough of it to go around. Though, with SoHo right outside your door, there's no reason to hide inside anyway.

While rooms tend toward micro, and highly-priced in warmer months, the Arlo SoHo is worth the money for a prime base near New York's best neighborhoods, shopping, eating, and drinking. Plus, with four hotel bars, seasonal social events, and super cozy alcove beds, it's an ideal retreat after a busy New York day.