Address:
45 WEST 81ST STREET

New York
10024

Hotel Location: near center

Everything is fresh throughout, from the richly wood-paneled lobby to the comfy guest rooms to the small but state-of-the-art exercise room. The chic residential location is across from the Museum of Natural History and steps from Central Park. However, the staff doesn't quite live up to the Lucerne's impeccable example.

Freshly done in an attractive traditional style, the guest rooms boast high-quality furnishings, commodious closets, two-line phones, thick terry bathrobes, a work desk, free bottled water, and full-length dressing mirrors (a nice touch). The pretty new bathrooms are most impressive.

The two-bedded rooms are large enough to accommodate budget-minded families (a few even have two queens), and suites feature pullout sofas and pants presses. The sunny museum-facing rooms are only worth the extra dough if a park view is really important to you, as all rooms are relatively bright and quiet. Housekeeping is impeccable throughout the hotel.

On the second floor is a gorgeous library-style lounge with working fireplace, books, games, gorgeous leather seating, writing desks, and a large flat-screen TV with DVD player. All in all, this is a good mid-price choice.