Whatever you want, you can find it in New York--including small, charming hotels.
Mention New York and hotel in the same sentence and you conjure up visions of glamorous and legendary places to stay, like the Waldorf Astoria or the St. Regis, or huge, anonymous business hotels like the New York Hilton. Yet tucked in many of New York's quieter streets and stylish residential areas are many small, charming and highly individual hotels.
The Library Hotel
At the Library Hotel you can pick a room dressed with books on your favorite topic.
The Library Hotel is a 60-room, boutique hotel in Midtown with a high concept gimmick. Each floor has a theme determined by the Dewey Decimal System used to organize books in libraries. Choose the fifth floor and you'll be in "Math and Science." Each room on the floor is decorated with a selection of books in one of the subdivisions of that category; rooms with books on astronomy, dinosaurs, botany, zoology, geology and mathematics. The themes of other floors include social sciences, language, technology, the arts, literature, history, general knowledge and philosophy. In addition to the usual accoutrements of a luxury boutique--multiple phone lines, free WI-FI, quality toiletries--the hotel offers free wine and cheese receptions, cappuccino and cookies and--if you've come to New York to read--lots of books in your room.
The Library Hotel
299 Madison Avenue at 41st Street
New York, NY 10017
212-983-4500
libraryhotel.com
1871 House
The 1871 House on New York's Upper East Side was described in "New York's 100 Best Little Hotels," by Allen Sperry, as a "country hideaway in one of New York's most elegant neighborhoods." The five-story Victorian brownstone on a quiet residential street has seven rooms and suites. Each is individually decorated with antiques and most are equipped with kitchens or kitchenettes. Despite its period feel, the 1871 House has all the usual amenities expected in a modern hotel, including WI-FI, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers and direct dial telephones. Though innkeepers Lia and Warren Raum describe the hotel as a bed-and-breakfast, in fact breakfast is not included or served. Guests can order breakfast baskets for an additional cost.
1871 House
130 East 62nd St.
New York, NY 10065
212-756-8823
1871house.com
The Inn at Irving Place
Two landmark townhouses in New York's Grammercy Park, built in 1834, were joined to form this discreet and elegant small hotel. Only the address gives the location away since the hotel's name isn't posted anywhere on the building. Decor in the 12 guestrooms, junior suites and residential apartments is reminiscent of the era of Edith Wharton. Rooms have four poster or sleigh beds, working fireplaces and full-sized, period mirrors. Amenities at this expensive hideaway include personalized maid and valet services, Penhaligon toiletries and what the innkeepers describe as a luxury continental breakfast. The Inn at Irving Place has a reservation-only tea room where a 5-course tea is served, and a martini bar.
The Inn at Irving Place
56 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
212-533-4600
innatirving.com
Tags: 1871 House, Irving Place, Library Hotel, books your, decorated with, small charming
