The Duncan is a time capsule: an authentic '40s experience; the hotel is even older than that, and boasts the only surviving hand-operated elevator in Connecticut. The Duncan lacks the frills that many travelers now expect, but if you want a place that's clean, comfortable (yes, the bathrooms work just fine!), very inexpensive, and also ...

Great people and atmosphere. Clean and simple; the convenience, ambience, and price make up for the lack of frills.

I liked the staff, -very nice. The hotel has an old feel (1894) and "The oldest hand operated elevator in Conn." The city is pretty, and the location is great- right off 95. And it's where all the locals told us to go.
DF

Hotel Duncan is one of the most interesting hotels I have been staying in - and I know what i am talking about, I used to write about hotels. I stayed there for two weeks in September 2005 and I am looking forward to my next stay. The hotel is old and used, but has an atmosphere that cannot be found in modern luxury hotels. The staff is friendly, ...

A lot of people don't understand what the Duncan is about. The price should alert you to the fact that this is not a hotel renovated to look like a period piece, it actually is a period piece. It hasn't been updated since the 1940s or so.

Local motels such as the Super-8 cost twice as much.

So, stay here if you want a funky ...

Duncan is just a charming hotel. Its old and a little shabby but clean and the staff are really friendly and helpful with a good sense of humour. I loved the location, although there is now some construction on Chapel st and its a bit noisy. And the price is great. Keep up the good work guys.

Perfect location and a very nice hotel. Didn't like the staff's approach (nonchalant OR overfriendly). Though, the price is good ($56 for a single room from Sat to Sun). Clean rooms, nice bathrooms, cool interiors (old style), cable TV. Would have liked it to be closer to the sea, but that's my bad..

everything was fine and the people were friendly. The location is close to Yale and the train station. There are plenty of interesting things within walking distance. But the street noise made it almost impossible to sleep. The 2nd night we turned the box fan to the wall and shut the window and slept much better.

This was my first time staying at the Duncan, and will stay again in the future. When you consider what you are paying, and receive in return, comfortable room, great location, etc., I highly recommend a stay at the Duncan. Its worth it for the elevator alone, and the two phone booths in the lobby, it sure is a "blast from the past".