New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [248]
Fodor’s Choice | The Chatwal.
$$$$ | A place for the Daddy Warbucks in all of us, the Chatwal is the lavishly refurbished reincarnation of a classic Manhattan theater club that lay fallow for decades. Designed by renowned architect Thierry Despont, the hotel plays on the property’s Art Deco legacy with a lobby saturated in red leather, marble, and gilded touches. There’s also a compact, stunningly appointed bar with cocktails by mixology guru Sasha Petraske. Guest rooms and suites—some with terraces—are opulent yet understated, designed in one of three color palates and appointed with distinctive furniture, including cabinets wrapped in faux leather designed to resemble classic luggage. Beds feature renowned Shifman mattresses and Frette linens, and interactive consoles contained within bedside telephones mean you barely have to move to control lighting, television, and curtains. Famed restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian has opened the Lamb’s Club restaurant in the lobby, with a roaring fireplace, plush leather banquettes, and seasonal New American cuisine. The small, well-appointed Chatwal Spa by Kashwere features three treatment rooms and a laundry list of pampering treatments. With prices starting at $695 in low season for a standard suite, you should expect a lot for your money—and the Chatwal delivers. Pros: gorgeous lobby; state-of-the-art room controls and amenities; excellent service. Cons: expensive—some visitors may find justifying such high prices for a Times Square locale difficult. TripAdvisor: “service was simply outstanding,” “ rooms are elegant and beautifully appointed,” “setting oozes glamour.” | 130 W. 44th St., between 5th and 6th Aves, Midtown West | 10036 | 212/264–6200 | www.thechatwalny.com | 83 rooms | In-room: a/c, safe, kitchen (some), refrigerator (some), DVD, Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bars, laundry service, Wi-Fi hotspot, parking (paid), some pets allowed | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: B, D, F, M, 7 to 42nd St./Bryant Park.
City Club Hotel.
$$ | The City Club’s ocean-liner-inspired rooms are brisk, bright, and masculine; they’re also about the same size as a room on a cruise ship—that means tight quarters, matey, no matter how much you enjoy sharing space with Jonathan Adler ceramics. All rooms have city-oriented photos from the ’50s, C. O. Bigelow bathroom products, and “City Club” monogrammed wool blankets. Privacy, not publicity, is the emphasis at this luxe boutique property—the lobby is tiny, and guests who wish to drink are sent across the street to the considerably more spacious Royalton. Top chef Daniel Boulud mans his db bistro moderne downstairs, making for delicious room service. Pros: free Wi-Fi; great restaurant; personal service. Cons: no gym; some guests find lighting substandard; no real lobby. TripAdvisor: “rates very reasonable for NY,” “the rooms are light and airy,” “very well designed and kept up.” | 55 W. 44th St., between 5th and 6th Aves., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/921–5500 | www.cityclubhotel.com | 62 rooms, 3 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, DVD, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, Internet terminal, Wi-Fi hotspot, parking (paid), some pets allowed | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: B, D, F, N, R, M, 1, 2, 3, 9 to 42nd St.; 7 to 5th Ave.
The Distrikt.
$ | Rising high above Port Authority, the Distrikt, which opened for business in February 2010, tries to approximate the boutique hotel experience in an area of town better known for bus depots. For the most part, it succeeds. The staff is super solicitous and helpful, offering directions, assistance with baggage, and warm smiles at every turn. Each of the 32 floors features a colorful backlighted collage of a different N.Y.C. neighborhood, and you’ll receive fudgy brownies and chocolates in-room upon arrival. Bathrooms are well lighted, with powerful hot water flowing in the sparkling walk-in showers, even on higher floors. Beds are exceedingly comfortable, too. Though the lobby