Where to Stay - New York City 2009 - page 61

MC, V. Parking $30 nearby. Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to 42nd St./Grand Central. Ameni-
ties: Restaurant; free access to nearby health club; business center; 24-hr. room
service; laundry service; dry cleaning; video library of American Film Institute's Top
100 films. In room: A/C, TV/VCR, high-speed Internet, dataport, minibar, hair dryer,
iron, laptop-size safe, CD player.
The Roger The hotel's namesake, Roger Williams, in time
abandoned his puritanical roots to become a secular leader. Starting
from the welcoming lobby with its odd assortment of mod yet com-
fortable seating, where jazz combos entertain 3 nights a week, to the
different varieties of rooms—some small, some generous, some with
landscaped terraces, others with views of the Empire State building;
all with impressive amenities such as quilts, flatscreen televisions,
complimentary high-speed and wireless Internet, and marble bath-
rooms—the Roger is one of the top choices in a quiet-yet-conven-
ient location. A floating granite staircase leads from the lobby to a
mezzanine lounge, where you can have breakfast in the morning and
drink cocktails by candlelight at night.
131 Madison Ave. (at E. 31st St.), New York, NY 10016. & 888/448-7788 or 212/
448-7000. Fax [phone]. www.hotelrogerwilliams.com. 200 units. From $289 a
night at press time. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Subway: 6 to 28th St./Lexington Ave.
Amenities: Lounge; fitness center; concierge; laundry service; dry cleaning; compli-
mentary Wi-Fi; conference suite. In room:A/C, flatscreen TV, Wi-Fi, high-speed Inter-
net, minibar, iron/ironing board, safe.
Waldorf=Astoria and the Waldorf Towers If you are
looking for the epitome of old-school elegance, you can't do better
than the Waldorf=Astoria. This massive 1-square-block Art Deco
masterpiece is not only a hotel icon, it's a genuine New York City
landmark. Here you'll find a lobby so big and grand, it's reminiscent
of Grand Central Station, including having its own signature clock.
With over 1,000 rooms, the pace can be hectic, and at times the lines
for checking in might remind you of the post office. And what
rooms they are; no two the same, yet all are airy, with high ceilings,
traditional decor, comfortable linens and beds, and spacious marble
bathrooms, along with fax machines and high-speed Internet access.
For even more opulence, try a suite in the Waldorf Towers, where
most rooms are bigger than most New York City apartments.
Peacock Alley, off the main lobby, is also open for breakfast,
lunch and dinner, but famous for the sumptuous Sunday brunch.
301 Park Ave. (btwn 49th and 50th sts.), New York, NY 10022. & 800/WALDORF,
800/774-1500, or 212/355-3000. Fax [phone] (Astoria) or 212/872-4875
(Towers). www.waldorfastoria.com or www.waldorf-towers.com. 1,245 units (180 in
the Towers). Waldorf=Astoria $229-$585 double; from $549 suite. Waldorf Towers
$549-$959 double; from $799 suite. Extra person $35. Children under 18 stay free