I've actually stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania. It's right across the street (literally) from Penn Station; if you can tolerate fleabags it's not so bad. And, OMG, it's no where near as bad as the Hotel Pennsylvania in Mexico City -- I wouldn't stay there if they paid me to.
There is one odd thing (among other odd things) about the place: the door to the rooms have two curious smaller doors in the middle, one on the outside and one on the inside. Between these inner doors is a cavity about 8" wide. I really have no idea what the function of these doors are. It must be some strange artifact from a past age. The only thing I can think of is perhaps it was a place for overnight laundry, shirts and etc., to be delivered and hung as the guest slept. Has anyone seen this sort of thing before? Is my guess correct?
There is one odd thing (among other odd things) about the place: the door to the rooms have two curious smaller doors in the middle, one on the outside and one on the inside. Between these inner doors is a cavity about 8" wide. I really have no idea what the function of these doors are. It must be some strange artifact from a past age. The only thing I can think of is perhaps it was a place for overnight laundry, shirts and etc., to be delivered and hung as the guest slept. Has anyone seen this sort of thing before? Is my guess correct? Your guess is correct. I've heard that in the old days you could even call and have things picked up (from the door closet) for pressing and they would be returned to the door closet in just an hour or so, while you waited.