Historic property boasting Mark Twain and Babe Ruth as former guests
Great neighborhood location on Upper West Side
Elegant lobby with an atrium
Walking distance to both Central and Riverside Parks
Coffee and pastries available in the morning
Rooms have laminate wood flooring, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks
Free tea and hot chocolate 24/7
High-tech meeting room and 24-hour fitness center
Media center with arcade games, PCs and Macs
Free Wi-Fi throughout
No full-service restaurant or bar
Bathrooms and closets are on the smaller side
Old radiators in rooms can make some odd noises
Tiny elevators can fill up quickly – not for the claustrophobic
A bit far from many popular tourist sights
Once considered a skyscraper on the Upper West Side before other buildings entered the scene, the Belleclaire Hotel -- built circa 1903 -- is a family-run, attractive upper-middle-range option with 240 modern rooms. Themed suites are named after former guests Mark Twain and Babe Ruth. The charming lobby has a European vibe with original mosaic tiling still in tact, a coffee bar, and large atrium that delivers lots of natural light. It’s a nice place to pick up a (free) copy of the New York Times and have a (free) spot of tea before hitting the tree-lined streets for restaurants and dining, which the hotel lacks. The NYLO New York City across the street does offer dining options on-site, as well as slightly more stylish rooms, but the Belleclaire offers free in-room Wi-Fi while the NYLO does not.