New York City boasts a wide variety of sights and activities for the traveler looking to visit the Big Apple. From architectural wonders like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Central Park, to catching a Broadway show and eating at one of the award-winning restaurants, there is no lack of draws to the city. While in New York, travelers have lodging options ranging from budget hotels to luxurious suites.
New York City offers hotels for those traveling on a budget, even in popular tourist destinations. One of these, the Hotel Chelsea, in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, has a long and colorful history in the city. It has hosted guests such as Mark Twain, Jimi Hendrix and Alan Ginsburg. Bob Dylan and Arthur C. Clarke composed some of their works here, Dylan Thomas died of alcohol poisoning in his Chelsea Hotel room and the Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious allegedly stabbed his girlfriend while in residence. Located between Greenwich Village and Midtown, the hotel is a short walk or cab ride to the Flatiron Building, Empire State Building, Central Park and the Blue Note jazz club. Amenities include free Wi-Fi in every room, gym passes and a dry-cleaning service.
Travelers willing to spend a bit more money on their hotel stay also have several options for a memorable New York stay with unforgettable views. Hotel Bentley, in the Upper East Side, is home to the Rooftop Bar and Restaurant, offering Italian fare and 21st floor views of New York City, including the East River. Most of the hotel's 197 rooms overlook the East River or the skyline of the Upper East Side of Manhattan as well. The rooms include flat-screen televisions and iPod docking stations, as well as marble floors in the bathrooms. Times Square and the Broadway theater district are both a short walk from the hotel.
Travelers looking to spend a good deal of time, and money, in New York have access to some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. The Mandarin Oriental, a five-star hotel in Columbus Circle, sits across the street from Central Park and the New York Zoo. The Mandarin's restaurant Asiate features award-winning Asian-American cuisine in a fine-dining atmosphere with views of Central Park and the New York skyline. Guests can relax in the Mandarin Oriental Spa or exercise in their fitness center or 75-foot lap pool. After catching a show at nearby Broadway, they can sleep in their luxurious room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lights of the city.
