Fodor's Expert Review Hotel Beacon

It's all about location at this Upper West Side hotel, situated three blocks from Central Park, 10 blocks from Lincoln Center, next door to the Beacon Theatre, and steps from both the American Museum of Natural History and Zabar's, the iconic gourmet grocery store. All of the generously sized rooms and suites (which have a sofa bed in the living room) have full kitchenettes (stocked with coffeemakers, pots and pans, and toasters) and marble bathrooms. Closets are huge, and high floors have views of Central Park, the Hudson River, or the Midtown skyline. A small fitness center has modern equipment, though you might prefer to go jogging in the nearby park. The lobby and the Beacon Bar, a contemporary and dimly lit watering hole with small plates and classic cocktails, bring a modern polish to this Beaux-Arts destination, which has been welcoming guests since 1908. The staff here are especially friendly and helpful.