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names with an eye for good value—with its bold modern art collec-
tion and wild style. The lobby was recently renovated, and along
with a new bar,
Gallery at the Gershwin,
much of the original art
remains. The standard rooms are clean and bright, with Picasso-style
wall murals and Philippe Starck-ish takes on motel furnishings.
Superior rooms are best, as they're newly renovated, and well worth
the extra $10; all have a queen bed, two twins, or two doubles, plus
a newish private bathroom with cute, colorful tile. If you're bringing
the brood, two-room suites, or Family Rooms, are a good option.
For the
very
low budget traveler, the Gershwin also offers hostel-style
accommodations at $33 a night in multibed rooms.
7 E. 27th St. (btwn Fifth and Madison aves.), New York, NY 10016.
&
212/545-
8000.
Fax 212/684-5546. www.gershwinhotel.com. 150 units. $109-$285 double;
$239-$385 family room. Extra person $20. Check website for discounts or other
value-added packages. For hostel rooms, use this website: www.gershwinhostel.
com. AE, MC, V. Parking $25 3 blocks away. Subway: N, R, 6 to 28th St.
Amenities:
Bar; tour desk; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; Internet access. In room:
A/C, TV, Wi-Fi, dataport, hair dryer, iron.
7 Times Square & Midtown West
VERY EXPENSIVE
Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
There's a lot
to like about this hotel—from its location overlooking Central Park
to the impeccable service—but what I like best is that this luxury
hotel manages to maintain a homey elegance and does not intimi-
date you with an overabundance of style. Rooms are spacious and
decorated in English-country style. Suites are larger than most New
York apartments. Rooms facing Central Park come with telescopes,
and all have flatscreen TVs with DVD players; the hotel even has a
library of Academy Award-winning films for you to borrow. The
marble bathrooms are oversize and feature a choice of bathrobes. For
families who can afford the steep prices, the hotel is extremely kid-
friendly. Suites have sofa beds, and cribs and rollaway beds can be
brought in. Children are given in-room cookies and milk. Adults can
get pampered at the Switzerland-based La Prairie spa or dine at the
hotel's restaurant,
BLT Market
(p. 89).
50 Central Park South (at Sixth Ave.), New York, NY 10019.
&
212/308-9100.
Fax
212/207-8831. www.ritzcarlton.com. 259 units. $650-$1,295 double; from $995
suite. Package and weekend rates available. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Parking $50. Sub-
way: N, R, W to 5th Ave and F to 57th St. Pets under 60 lbs. accepted.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; lobby lounge for tea and cocktails; fitness center; La Prairie spa and
facial center; concierge; complimentary Bentley limousine service; business center;
24-hr. room service; babysitting; overnight laundry; dry cleaning; technology butler
Kids
