Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Plenty of Room at the Inn
When you think of New York accommodations, you usually
think big—tall monoliths with hundreds of rooms. You don't
think of quaint guesthouses or inns where a home-cooked
breakfast is served. But New York is a diverse city and that
diversity can be found in its accommodations, too. So if you
want an alternative to the quintessential New York hotel
and prefer a taste of urban hominess, here are a few options.
On the high end, but worth it if you love authentic 19th-
century Victorian romance, is the
Inn at Irving Place
.
Housed in a 170-year-old town house, their rates range
from $445 to $645. The rooms are furnished in the style of
Edith Wharton's Golden Age New York.
Complimentary breakfast is served each morning in Lady
Mendl's parlor, where, if the weather is nippy, you'll find a
comforting fire roaring.
Breakfast prepared by culinary students of the New School
is one of the highlights of the
Inn on 23rd Street
. Each
of the inn's 14 rooms, which range in price from $219 to $359
per night, were decorated by the owners, Annette and Barry
Fisherman, with items they've collected from their travels.
See p. 45 for a detailed review.
INEXPENSIVE
Larchmont Hotel
If you're willing to share a bathroom,
it's hard to do better for the money at this wonderful European-style
hotel. Each bright guest room is tastefully done in rattan and outfit-
ted with a writing desk, a minilibrary of topics, an alarm clock, a
wash basin, and a few extras that you normally have to pay a lot
more for, such as cotton bathrobes, slippers, and ceiling fans. Every
floor has two shared bathrooms (with hair dryers) and a small, sim-
ple kitchen. The management is constantly renovating, so everything
feels clean and fresh. What's more, those looking for a hip downtown
base couldn't be better situated, because some of the city's best shop-
ping, dining, and sightseeing—plus your choice of subway lines—
are just a walk away. This hotel has devoted followers who
recommend it to all their friends, so book
well
in advance (the man-
agement suggests 6-7 weeks' lead time).
Value
