Boutique hotels focus on offering guests an intimate cozy, atmosphere at affordable prices. In hurly-burly New York City, choosing a boutique establishment as opposed to a popular, grandiose hotel that is part of a chain can go a long way in helping tourists unwind. In addition to being easy on the wallet, typical boutique hotels tend to have roughly 50 rooms as well as thematic touches.
With 20 rooms scattered among 12 floors, the Vincci Avalon has a snug and elegant ambiance courtesy of the lobby fireplace and a reception area decorated with marble columns, an on-site pool table, library and clubroom. One room choice is the Executive Suite with Jacuzzi tub. At 475 square feet, the room has a king-sized bed and a separate living room area. All rooms have luxurious Irish cotton linens, wireless Internet access and outlets for fax hookups.
Located in the heart of Manhattan, the Vincci Avalon is only a block away from the Empire State Building and approximately four blocks away from the Fifth Avenue shopping oasis. Other nearby attractions include Madison Square Park, the Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Plaza and the Morgan Library and Museum.
Vincci Avalon
16 E. 32nd St
New York, NY 10016
212-299-7000
avalonhotelinyc.com
The Hotel Alexander has seven stories and is located in Manhattan's chic Upper West Side. It is roughly two miles from the Metropolitan Art Museum, Columbia University and only a mile from Central Park. The hotel was originally a town house that has since been converted to hold 110 renovated rooms, some of which have private bathrooms and some of which have shared washrooms. All rooms come with air-conditioning, high-speed Internet, daily maid service and free cable. Attuned to the young traveler, throughout the year the Hotel Alexander gives college students discounts once they present college I.D.'s or enrollment papers.
Hotel Alexander
306 W. 94th St
New York, NY 10025
212-665-0003
hotelalexandernyc.com
Hailed by New York Inns Hotel Group as being a 'hip boutique hotel in Downtown Manhattan', the Union Square Inn sits in an intellectual and artsy beehive. The campuses of NYU and Cooper Union are within walking distance, as is the East Village, once a stomping ground for beatniks. Located within the hotel is Café Samantha, a European style café and bistro that serves pastries, sandwiches and various flavors of coffee.
Union Square Inn
209 E. 14th St.
New York, NY 10003
212-614-0500
unionsquareinn.com
Mere steps away from Times Square, the Muse Hotel has 19 suites and 181 guestrooms. Each room comes equipped with iHome stereo systems that have iPod/MP3 docking stations, goose feather beds and pillows and Schott Zwiesel glassware that go along with the fully-stocked minibars. In addition to being a pet-friendly hotel, the hotel prides itself on being globally minded. All bath products and cleaning supplies are eco-friendly, all shower heads are designed to minimize water consumption without sacrificing comfort and ceramic mugs are used in lieu of Styrofoam cups.
Health is also paramount at the Muse Hotel. While the fitness center is open 24 hours, the concierge has jogging routes already mapped out for those who want to tackle the urban streets. In addition, tourists can have spa services in the comfort of their own room. Pampering treatments include the Aroma Journey Massage where lavender and other essential oils relax the body and mind and the Lavender Dreams Body Treatment where guests inhale wild lavender pray to fall into a deep sleep.
The Muse Hotel
130 W 46th St.
New York, NY 10036
212-485-2400
themusehotel.com
