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and some rooms outfitted with Gibson guitars, turntables, or small Heineken kegs in the minibars. The uniquely designed rooms run from “cheap” and “bunk,” to “super-deluxe” and “loft”: from backpackers to bankers, everyone will feel welcome here. Larger rooms have views over Broadway, claw-foot tubs, and hardwood parquet floors. Pros: in-house restaurants, the Breslin and the John Dory oyster bar, both from star chef April Bloomfield, mean you won’t have to travel far for trendy dining or celeb-spotting; lobby java shop is by the excellent Stumptown Coffee Roasters, and the No. 7 Sub shop offers some of the best sandwiches in the city. Cons: dark lobby; caters to a young crowd; may be too sceney for some. TripAdvisor: “complimentary breakfast was great,” “friendly and unpretentious staff,” “the bathroom, while small, was great.” | 20 W. 29th St.,at Broadway, Flatiron District | 10001 | 212/679–2222 | www.acehotel.com | 251 rooms, 11 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, refrigerator (some), Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bars, gym, laundry service, Wi-Fi hotspot, parking (paid), some pets allowed | AE, MC, V | Subway: N, R to 28th St.; 1 to 28th St.

The Eventi.

$$ | The newest Kimpton property to grace New York City, the Eventi adds a touch of hotel style just below Penn Station in an area desperately in need of new hotel options. The lobby features ornate teak woodwork, marble floors, and giant botanical artwork. A complimentary happy hour between 5 and 6 pm every evening brings hotel guests to the ground floor in droves before they hit the town for dinner. Rooms are spacious (if a bit dark), with comfortable beds, oversize bathrooms, and Frette linens on the beds. The hotel has invested heavily in dining options, pairing up with restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow on two concepts. Foodparc is a modern food court adjacent to the hotel with eight kiosks featuring everything from dim sum to burgers, plus copious outdoor dining space (a real rarity in congested Midtown), and Bar Basque is a futuristic eatery on the second floor featuring a Spanish menu and decor by Syd Mead, who designed the sets for the original Blade Runner movie. An environmentally conscious hotel chain, Kimpton is promising full LEED certification for the Eventi by 2012. Pros: great location; fun dining options; nice gym. Cons: crowded lobby; dark rooms. TripAdvisor: “nice lobby area,” “large fitness center,” “daily wine hour in lobby.” | 851 Avenue of the Americas, at 30th St., Flatiron District | 10011 | 866/996–8396 | www.eventihotel.com | 239 rooms, 53 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, refrigerator on request, Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: 2 restaurants, room service, bar, laundry service, Wi-Fi hotspot, parking (paid), some pets allowed | AE, D, DC, MC, V. | Subway: N, R to 28thSt.

GRAMERCY PARK

Gramercy Park Hotel.

$$$ | Ian Schrager, the man who invented the “boutique hotel” concept almost two decades ago, is back, and the property reflects some of his hard-won wisdom. Start with the soaring Medieval Rose Bar, which remains exclusive—unless you’re a guest and you’ve booked a reservation with the concierge. Meanwhile, the rooftop garden, open year-round, gives you some great city views and Julian Schnabel design. The contemporary art that’s scattered throughout includes works by Andy Warhol and Basquiat in the lobby, which has a chic, hushed quality. Upstairs, the rooms go for fabulousness over comfort, with draped velvet, studded leather, and very red drapes. Try for a view overlooking the private Gramercy Park if you can swing it; staffers will also let you into it on request. Maialino, Danny Meyer’s Roman trattoria, has been a hit since day one; use your hotel connections to snag a reservation. Pros: intensely trendy bar scene; opulent rooms; great restaurant; park-side location. Cons: inconsistent service; form-over-function rooms; expensive bar. TripAdvisor: “beautiful rooftop garden,” “huge, comfortable beds,” “great location.” | 2 Lexington Ave., at Gramercy Park, Gramercy Park | 10010 | 212/920–3300 | www.gramercyparkhotel.com | 140 rooms, 40 suites