New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [261]
Loews Regency Hotel.
$$$ | The snazzy lobby sums up the focus of this Park Avenue hotel: service and space. The modern guest rooms have lush details like silk wallpaper and mahogany accents, but more important, they’re large for the price point and come with flat-screen TVs and high-speed Internet. (That space comes at the expense of the bathrooms, which are on the small side.) Goose-down duvets and ergonomic leather desk chairs reinforce the pleasingly modern feel. Feinstein’s at the Regency hosts some of the best (and priciest) cabaret acts in town, and 540 Park and The Library have become destinations in their own right among restaurant-savvy locals. Pros: friendly and helpful staff; relatively quiet; good for pets; updated fitness center. Cons: rooms are pretty but not a great value; overpriced room service. TripAdvisor: “excellent room service,” “delightfully quiet rooms,” “great location.” | 540 Park Ave., at E. 61st St., Midtown East | 10065 | 212/759–4100 or 800/233–2356 | www.loewshotels.com | 266 rooms, 87 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, kitchen (some), refrigerator, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, gym, laundry service, parking (paid), some pets allowed | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R to 59th St./Lexington Ave.
Millennium UN Plaza.
$$ | This sky-high tower near the United Nations begins on the 28th floor; the rooms, which make generous use of warm woods and neutral tones, have breathtaking views—get one facing west, toward Manhattan. The multilingual staff caters to a discerning clientele that includes heads of state. The views also dazzle from the elegant 27th-floor pool and health club, and the indoor rooftop tennis court attracts name players. Service throughout the hotel is first-rate, though the common areas have seen better days. Pros: unbeatable East River and city views; good value; great front-door and bell staff. Cons: a walk to the subway; pricey Internet access. TripAdvisor: “large rooms,” “eclectic decoration,” “quiet location.” | 1 United Nations Plaza, at E. 44th St. and 1st Ave., Midtown East | 10017 | 212/758–1234 or 866/866–8086 | www.millenniumhotels.com | 382 rooms, 45 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, tennis court, pool, gym, laundry service, Internet terminal, Wi-Fi hotspot, parking (paid) | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to 42nd St./Grand Central.
New York Palace Hotel.
$$$ | Want the privileged Gossip Girl experience? Stay at these connected mansions, built in the 1880s by railroad baron Henry Villard and supposedly populated by Serena van der Woodsen, circa 2009. In the lobby, with its sweeping staircases, golden chandeliers, and arched colonnades, you’ll find the two-Michelin-star restaurant Gilt. Standard rooms in the main section of the hotel are done up in warming beige and marble, but they are hardly exceptional. The better option is rooms in the tower: either modern or classic, depending on the floor, they have more luxe decor and bathrooms, separate check-in, and more attentive service, with a dedicated concierge and a butler. Many hotel rooms, as well as the 7,000-square-foot health club, have terrific views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Pros: gorgeous courtyard with 15th-century Italian-style motifs; great service; unmatched views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Cons: overpriced; harried service from staff. TripAdvisor: “top class staff,” “spacious and bright rooms,” “superbly located.” | 455 Madison Ave., at E. 50th St., Midtown East | 10022 | 212/888–7000 or 800/697–2522 | www.newyorkpalace.com | 804 rooms, 88 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, refrigerator (some), Internet. In-hotel: 2 restaurants, room service, bars, gym, spa, laundry service, Internet terminal, Wi-Fi hotspot, parking (paid), some