In this beautifully transformed 1906 office building, restful rooms feel smartly contemporary though they've retained some period details. Watch out for rooms that overlook noisy 27th Street or are too close the bar on the ground floor; ask instead for a view of the Chrysler Building. Historic New York flavor is the design focus in the mezzanine library, with black-and-white photos of city scenes from the 1880s through 1950s. The Black Duck bar and restaurant warms patrons with its wood-burning fireplace, though the decor is better than the average food. Luckily, several excellent Indian restaurants are just around the corner. The square Murray Hill location may disappoint hipster guests. Pros: free breakfast and Internet; turndown service; good value. Cons: small elevators; tame location; spotty service.
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip