This large, luxurious Art Deco icon, located on the southern edge of Central Park, evokes the opulence of bygone times. A 2007 resdesign put modern technological amenities in the rooms, and the Essex House is moving comfortably into the future.

This stylish, all-suite hotel is one of the best luxury deals around -- incredibly large rooms, two on-site restaurants from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, a central location near Central Park and Times Square, and a great fitness center. All that's missing is an on-site spa.

If you're looking for a five-star experience in New York, and you insist on a Ritz, the sister property downtown offers a nearly identical experience for half the price. If you're looking for a five-star experience and insist on being in the thick of things, the Plaza, the St. Regis, and the Mandarin Oriental offer more pizzazz.

The Out NYC may be New York's first hotel specifically tailored for gay travelers, but it's also the first to pronounce its "straight-friendliness." Indeed, the 105-room boutique property hosts guests of all orientations, including many foreigners drawn by the hotel's central location, sleek design, gorgeous common areas, and hot nightlife. Rooms are small but filled with features such as natural beauty products, Internet-enabled flat-screen TVs, and absurdly comfortable beds. You won't, however, find any closets -- a cheeky reference to the fact that no one needs to be in the closet here.

Behind the classic theater façade, the Paramount is a hip, stylish hotel with all the bells and whistles of the trendiest New York hotels, including a dimly lit lobby with DJ sessions on weekends and a see-and-be-seen vibe. Rooms, while stylish and equipped with great amenities -- such as iPod docks and high-definition flat-screen TVs -- are less bold than the common spaces, and some are tiny (even by New York standards). The hotel’s location half a block from Times Square is convenient for those interested in seeing the main attractions, but there’s a fee for Wi-Fi and the hotel lacks a fitness center.

Quiet, stylish, and a 15-minute walk from touristy Times Square (and the subway) -- Ink48 (opened September 2009) is on the far western reaches of Hell's Kitchen, an increasingly fashionable but somewhat desolate neighborhood. Its solid service, gorgeous rooftop lounge, free wine receptions, and pet-friendly features make it a great choice, as well as its full-service spa.

The TRYP might be part of a large chain (it is owned by Wyndham), but there are few elements here that scream cookie-cutter. Spacious rooms with tons of fun details and modern technology; a solid Mediterranean restaurant; a modern fitness center, and free Wi-Fi attract a varied crowd of families, groups, and business travelers. There are a wide range of room types -- including Family Rooms that can sleep up to eight guests, and Fitness Rooms with exercise bikes -- and the the location within walking distance of Times Square is convenient for tourists.

Five minutes from Grand Central and 10 minutes from bustling Times Square, the Iroquois is an uncommonly quiet, 114-room hotel with an ideal Midtown West location. High-end perks include a sauna and a vintage library, but the rooms feel older than most boutique hotel rooms, despite their flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi.

The 165-room Cassa Hotel and Residences is centrally located in midtown Manhattan, with bright rooms, sleek white bathrooms, and a friendly staff. The property is a modern alternative to the Algonquin or Iroquois hotels around the corner, though it's not as luxurious as the nearby Chatwal or Andaz Fifth Avenue. In 2012, Viceroy Hotels purchased the property and BLT, an American Brasserie is expected to open in Spring 2013.