I used to go a quarterly meeting in the Shelbourne. And while I never saw a room other than a meeting room, the staff was always cordial and the place nicely, not elegantly, appointed.

Although born and raised in NYC I haven't lived there for many years but when I visit I usually stay on the UWS usually at the Excelsior. If you are looking for a super modern hotel, the Excelsior is not it. I like the old world elegance of the lobby and the rooms suit me fine. Subway and buses are closeby as are The Natural History Museum and Planetarium across the street, The Museum of the City of New York - a favorite and a gem is a very short walk and Central Park is down the street. If staying at the Excelsior be sure to get an upper floor above the traffic noise.

I like modern hotels and old world elegance, unless those are code words for shabby and badly in need of an update! ; )

The Excelsior is not shabby in the least - old style does not mean shabby furnishings. I particularly like the tile work in the bathrooms.

Sf is right. No Indigo in SF. Sorry

Monaco in SF = kimpton boutique hotel
Indigo in Midtown Atlanta = ichotelsgroup pilot boutique hotel
Just read that the 2nd kimpton in atlanta (palomar) = will now be a Renaissance (Marriott group)
I had boutique hotels on the brain and merged two groups into one

Sorry

Monaco is good

Oh no! Adu, the last person I would want to offend! I have your list of restaurants/food places all printed out ready for my next trip!Forgive my gaffe and I will go away now and get real!

I started a topic on the Fodor's Lounge just last week about how travelers think certain people are more real than others. The most common characterization is that those who live in the country are "more real" than those who live in the city.

Please Peteralan, I found more amusing than offensive. I am a native NY'er and beleive me in wherever part of the city you live your life is real. Some areas are louder, poorer, weirder, more crowded, or smellier than others. Where we live there are over 25,000 residents in a 9 block by 3 block area. It does not get much "realer" than that.

So hurry back.

Point taken Aduchamp. I could have worded it better!