70 Park Avenue Hotel Rating: 3.5 Pearls

Gramercy and Murray Hill, Manhattan, New York City

70 Park Avenue may be a subdued, business-friendly hotel four blocks from Grand Central Station, but it's far from boring: It's also part of of the Kimpton boutique hotel chain, and delivers on all of the brand's boutique hotel hallmarks. There are free nightly wine hours in the glam lobby; pets are welcome (note the food and water bowls tucked into a lobby corner); and free morning coffee and tea are served. It's these little extras that help transform what could have been a standard business hotel into a homey boutique well-suited for both business and leisure guests.

The major renovation completed in 2012 also contributed to this transformation. The previous decor didn't quite live up to Kimpton standards, but now rooms are bold, sultry and sophisticated. The lobby and the "living room" (the section of the lobby with plush seating and a fireplace) also got a stylish makeover.

70 Park is one of the very few New York hotels to actually participate in green programs. For starters, the hotel does not use ammonia or bleach-based cleaning products, and promises that all cleaning agents are nontoxic and environmentally safe. All materials are made from 100 percent recycled paper and soy-based inks, and it makes an effort to recycle about 60 percent of its waste.

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70 Park Avenue obviously sits right on Park Avenue, just south of Grand Central Station, on the corner of Park and 38th Street. The doormen can hail cabs quickly and easily on this well-traveled street. Park Avenue is safe and, in this part of town, pretty quiet. It is New York, though, so don't be surprised to hear the random siren at night.

There are numerous restaurants nearby, especially on Madison Avenue (one block west). Curry Hill, the nickname for a small subsection of Murray Hill, is a three-block stretch of -- you guessed it -- Indian restaurants and shops.

• 4-minute walk to Grand Central Station
• 6-minute walk to Bryant Park and the main branch of the New York Public Library
• 15-minute walk to Rockefeller Plaza
• 16-minute walk to St. Patrick's Cathedral
• 20-minute walk or 5-minute drive to the MoMA
• 10 minutes by foot and subway to Times Square and the Theater District
• 15 minutes by foot and subway to Columbus Circle and Central Park
• 23 minutes by foot and subway to the Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York City has three nearby airports: JFK, La Guardia, and Newark (in New Jersey). Getting into town from JFK or LaGuardia is usually more convenient than from Newark, but travel times are heavily dependent on the time of day and traffic conditions. From JFK, a taxi to anywhere in Manhattan costs a flat rate of $45 and takes around an hour in average conditions. From LaGuardia, a metered cab ride to midtown Manhattan costs about $40 and can take 30 minutes if traffic is light, three times that if it's bad. Rides from Newark cost at least $40 plus tolls and can take more than 90 minutes. It's customary to tip your driver 15 to 25 percent.

Those looking to save some cash can use the privately run shuttle buses that are available at all three airports for about $14 per person. For more information on the shuttles, go to Super Shuttle or New York Airport Service. Public transit is also available for as little as $7 per person, but travel can take up to two hours and involve a lot of lugging bags up and down stairways.

For mass-transit directions right to the hotel, check out HopStop.com.

Rooms have sultry contemporary decor with deep purple bed runners, metallic accent pillows, shiny silver lamps, and faux velvet wing chairs. There is also dark textured wallpaper that looks vaguely like wood.

Technology features include 42-inch flat-screen TVs and iPod docking stations. Bathrooms are sleek but small -- in some cases very small.

• Feather beds with Frette linens
• iPod docking stations
• 42-inch LCD flat-screen TVs with on-demand movies and a 24-hour yoga channel
• Rooms are sound-proofed
• Animal-print bathrobes
• Bathrooms have Etro toiletries; many are on the small side.
• Desks and a comfortable leather desk chair. Unlike at most New York boutiques, the desk is actually big enough that you can spread out a few documents and actually do some work at it.
• Lackluster views from most rooms
• Wi-Fi is available for a fee, but Kimpton InTouch members (free to join) receive free access at all properties.
• Rooms start at 225 square feet, which is a bit small by national standards but about average for a New York City boutique. Square footage increases as you go up in room category.
• Some suites have extras such as terraces or whirlpool tubs.
• Rollaway beds available upon request for a fee, but they won't fit in Queen Deluxe Rooms.

• There's a free wine hour in the lobby every evening.
• Downstairs meeting room and small business center with two Mac computers
• 24-hour fitness center
• Free coffee and tea in the morning
• Wi-Fi is available for fee, but Kimpton InTouch members get free access and it's free to join
• "Forgot it? We've Got it!" program where guests can get often-forgotten travel items such as contact solution, cosmetics, heir straighteners, lint rollers computer chargers, or other items, most of which are available for free use.
• In-room spa treatments are available.
• The front desk can provide business services.

Like at all Kimpton hotels, the 70 Park staff offers kids a welcome pack. The standard rooms are not especially large, but there are also connecting rooms available for families, as well as rooms with two double or queen-size beds. Rollaway beds are available upon request for a fee, but aren't guaranteed and do not fit in the Queen Deluxe Room or rooms with two double beds. Activities for families are limited nearby; most will require a subway ride from nearby Grand Central Station.

Pets get the royal treatment -- doggie manicures and pedicures, squeaky toys, robes, and a bed are all available. There are no extra fees for bringing a pet -- unlike at many hotels in New York, such as the W chain -- but owners are responsible for damage caused by their animal.

• Silver Leaf Tavern is an upscale bar and restaurant that is popular with the post-work crowd. It may feel like more of a bar than a restaurant at certain hours, and the dimly lit atmosphere -- while cool at night -- doesn't feel particularly inviting at breakfast.
• Room service is available from the Silver Leaf from early morning until night.
• Close to the hotel are numerous dining options, especially along Madison Avenue, which runs parallel to Park Avenue, one block west of the hotel.