I've decided to try a funky boutique hotel and am looking for cool design/atmosphere but hope not to sacrifice the comfort and service of a more traditional or bigger property in exchange for the hip factor. Is that possible with either of these two?

topping

I would not consider the W a funky boutique hotel, but my daughter and her husband stayed there last year and absolutly loved it.

Thanks tcapp. I suppose you're right -- the W isn't a boutique hotel. I guess what I'm looking for is cool design/atmosphere in the midtown area.

I've been to the bar at Royalton...very chic.

However, this weekend there was a fire at the Royalton (it was on the news), so I don't know if I'd stay there if you are going soon. I've had fires in the building where I work & where I used to live...the smoky smell sticks around for months.

Gosh, hadn't heard about the fire. OK that's definitely an issue, babette, but another concern from a stay of mine, you don't want a room on a lower floor (like 3). The pulsating music from the bar can be felt/heard in your room and can keep you awake. I had a room on 6 though and had a great night's sleep in an amazingly comfortable bed!

Here is some info... sounds relatively minor but I guess you won't know if it smells smokey until you show up:

"A fire erupted at a midtown hotel Sunday, sending 78 firefighters to battle the blaze.

The call of the fire at the Royalton Hotel on 44 W. 44th St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues first came in at 4:28 p.m.

It was under control about 45 minutes later, said firefighter Robert Calise, a spokesman. He said the flames were limited to the kitchen and ducts that lead to the roof.

The 12-story hotel was built in 1898. A clerk answering the phone at the hotel said she was unable to answer questions about the blaze. -- Joshua Robin"