Cachet Boutique

The Out NYC advertises itself as an "urban oasis," and it delivers. Rooms are clustered around three open courtyards: the Great Lawn, an Astroturf-carpeted space with bean bag chairs and regular film screenings; the Secret Garden, a bamboo-fringed oasis with a long common table for group meals; and the Sun Deck, with lounge chairs for catching rays in the summer. The hotel's unique layout is conducive to socializing, and guests include a mix of both gay travelers and straight European couples.The Spa Atrium is one of the hotel's most notable features, and guests get free access to the whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms. The full spa menu includes massages, facials, sugaring, and spray tans.While the hotel offers many opportunities for relaxation, it also offers a trendy nightlife scene. The ground floor XL Nightclub is one of the city's largest gay dance clubs, with one of the most advanced sound and lighting systems in the world. There is a different cabaret show, DJ, or theme night each evening, and weekend lines often stretch around the block. Celebrities such as Cyndi Lauper and Ru Paul have been known to make on-stage appearances.

The Out NYC is located on a busy but bland stretch of 42nd Street between 10th and 11th Avenues by the West Side Highway. Cop cars line the block, thanks to a nearby NYPD precinct, and a CVS Pharmacy next door is open 24 hours. The hotel is two long avenue blocks from Times Square, and several blocks south of the heart of Hell's Kitchen, a lively district with restaurants and bars. Though the hotel advertises its location as the "epicenter of gay life," you're more likely to find tapas restaurants and Irish pubs than chic galleries and swank nightlife, except in the hotel's own XL Nightclub.- Two blocks from the A, C, and E subway lines; three blocks from the 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, and W lines; four blocks from the B, D, F, and V -- quick and easy access to anywhere in the city

• 15-minute walk to Times Square and the Theatre District
• 15-minute walk to the High Line Elevated Park
• 20-minute walk to Penn Station
• 25-minute walk to the Empire State Building
• 25-minute walk to Columbus Circle and Central Park
• 15-minute subway ride to the Chelsea neighborhood
• 20-minute subway ride to the SoHo neighborhood
• 25-minute taxi ride to Newark Airport
• 30-minute taxi ride to LaGuardia Airport
• 40-minute taxi ride to JFK Airport

Rooms have contemporary decor in shades of white and gray, and come with modern technology features such as Internet-equipped TVs and MP3 docks. Most guest rooms are clustered around one of three outdoor courtyards. Rooms with a courtyard view receive some light, but leaving your curtains open may invite unwanted peeks from passerby. More preferable are the rooms with a city view, which tend to be brighter and more private.Noise can sometimes be an issue; be sure to request a room away from the nightclub for more peace and quiet. Like the nearby Yotel, The Out NYC contains a number of shared bunk-style rooms, which can be handy for large groups and solo travelers.Rooms start at around 200 square feet and come with a king, queen, two double, or bunk-style beds. The Luxury Quad Bunk Rooms are geared toward groups of friends, and have four separate full-sized beds, each with a cubby, personal 22"-inch TV, and privacy curtains.- Comfortable beds with 300-thread-count linens

• Modern bathrooms with big walk-in showers
• Floor-to-ceiling mirrored headboards and light-up nightstands (in all rooms but the suites and bunk rooms)
• 40-inch flat-screen TVs equipped with Internet and wireless keyboards
• Free Wi-Fi
• MP3 docking stations
• Natural spa toiletries available for use in communal containers. Spa products are also available for purchase.
• Hotel robes and free earplugs
• Minibars stocked with snacks and premium beverages, along with fun items such as jellybeans and "Love Kits" with condoms and lube
• Rooms with city views are brighter and more private than rooms with courtyard views.

• Guests get free access to the facilities at the 5,000-square-foot wellness center.
• Glass-covered atrium features a 15-foot waterfall, cabanas, whirlpools, and cooling showers.
• Indoor aroma steam rooms and cedar saunas
• Co-ed showers and locker room
• Spa menu offers treatments such as massages, facials, sugaring, hair removal, and spray tans
• 24-hour fitness center with hot pink lighting, techno music, and floor-to-ceiling mirrors
• Option to book personal training sessions, private yoga classes, and nutrition consultations

Given The Out NYC's adult orientation and risqué features, the hotel only accepts guests over the age of 21.

KTCHN is an upscale restaurant from the owners of Hell's Kitchen hot spot Eatery and serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Executive Chef Dale Schnell prepares modern American cuisine; sample menu items include updated classics such as the Akaushi Beef Cheddar Cheese Burger; "Sexy Fries" with salt, vinegar, smoked paprika, and garlic; and oysters of the day. Communal dining is available in the back room, though the white-hued street-facing side of the restaurant has a much cooler ambience, particularly during the day. Food and beverage service is also available in the three hotel courtyards.

• Three open-air courtyards – the Great Lawn, the Secret Garden, and the Sun Deck – all with food and beverage service
• Indoor meeting spaces include a whimsical conference room with gilded seating and a more informal "living room" area filled with risqué artwork
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
• Three communal Macs and free printing services in the lobby
• Valet parking available for a fee

The 14,000-square-foot XL Nightclub is one of New York's biggest gay nightlife destinations. The club, run by nightlife veterans John Blair, Beto Sutter, and Brandon Voss, offers events such as cabaret shows, DJs, and theme nights seven days a week. The nightclub includes a bar (of course), elevated VIP area, a massive dance floor, and a sleek unisex bathroom (which is a sight to be seen).