NY- Call it the hotel of horrors.
Clinton Hill residents have charged that the Prince Lefferts Hotel - next door to a city playground - is a haven for drugs and prostitution.
"It's just a den of iniquities - it's Sodom and Gomorrah down there," said Raymond Harris, 70, who lives up the block from the Lefferts Place hotel.
Cops have been called to the hotel dozens of times in the last year for complaints about noisy disputes and assaults, as well as numerous arrests for prostitution and larceny, a Police Department spokesman said.
"There's a bunch of [prostitutes] around there at all hours of the day," said Joe Michaels, 40, an artist who lives on Classon Ave. "It's a hooker house."
Residents charged that the hotel, which operated without problems for decades, took a turn for the worse in 1998 when it was acquired by the Prince Hotel Group.
The group owns four other hotels in Brooklyn, but the Prince Lefferts is the only one that offers short stays, according to the organization's Web site.
Lodgers can stay for increments of four, six, or eight hours for $35-$55, according to a rate sheet posted on the protective-glass-enclosed reception desk.
The Web site also said the overnight rate of $80 includes breakfast and a buffet lunch, and that kitchenettes and Jacuzzis are available.
The only apparent attempt to discourage hot sheets and bed-hopping is a sign in the lobby saying "if one guest checks out, the remaining guest is not allowed to bring in another man or woman."
A desk attendant referred requests for comment to the management office. Calls were not returned.
"What we need is a hotel that's more legit," said Rocco Greene, 42, who lives on the block. "It should be looked into and cleaned up."
Police Department officials said they were aware of the problems at the hotel.
City Councilwoman Letitia James (WFP-Prospect Heights) indicated that the city is planning court action to close the hotel under the nuisance abatement law.
"I welcome the day when we can all go down to court and demonstrate our support in shutting this hotel down," James said, adding she plans to organize a "field trip" to bring supportive residents to the courthouse.
"There's a playground right there, and it's all residential buildings," said James. "It's a very family oriented block, but that hotel is a one-stop-shop - drugs and sex - and it gets constant traffic."
