I arrived quite early and was hoping to pay-up for an early check-in. No such luck, as they'd veen fully booked and were still turning over the rooms. The syaff waspolite and helpful and directed me to come back at 4pm. It was a long wait but there are plenty coffee shops, parks, and even a library close by. Upon my return at 4ish, the lobby was quite busy and it took the staff quite a while to work through the guests. They did so as quickly and efficiently as they could and dealt with some rude customers in a professional manner. When i made it my room, i was a bit disappointed to find the room smelled heavily of cigarette smoke, though it is a non-smoking property. I also found the furnishings to be outdated and there were some gouges and a stain on the walls (somebody's fumbled pasta dish, maybe). The floors could have used an extra sweep after they mopped, too. Thankfully, the bed linens were clean and cozy and the bathroom was adequately clean. Tbh, i'm not that picky, and knew i wasn't exactly booking the Ritz Carlton. The bar is small and generally populated by locals. The staff there are fantastic! Be sure to check out Cafe Milano, less than a block away, for some of the best coffee and atmosphere around. For me, Hotel Newstar fit the bill. If you're looking for a plush and upscale experience, it's likely not the spot for you. Again though, the staff were lovely!