Fifty Hotel & Suites by Affinia

A $19
million renovation in 2014 transformed the property into a chic boutique hotel
that caters equally to business travelers, tourists, and families. The lobby is
a showplace for the hotel's collection of curated contemporary art. "Fourof a Kind," a series of stoic figures crafted from recycled metal by a duo
of Harlem-based artists serves as a dividing wall between the bustle of
arrivals and check-ins and a cozy elevated lounge area with a fireplace fronted
by a oversized ottoman, leather chairs perfect for reading, shelves stocked
with art books, and a business center with two Apple computers. A
whimsical glass mobile made up of tiny blue men in hurried motion (by a Seattle-based
glass-blower) dangles above the lobby's spiral black and white staircase,
enticing guests to ascend on foot rather than take the elevator. At the top of
the stairs, a concierge is at the ready to assist guests with everything from
dinner reservations to pampered pet services. The second floor of Fifty NYC–an Affinia hotel provides guests with two rooms of private, socially oriented space. Next to
the concierge, a large wall of glass frames the Club Room, a multi-functional space
that hosts breakfast, daily wine hours, as well as serving as an intimate
meeting space. The adjoining Den, is a more playful and cozier spot with an
L-shaped ivory sofa fronting a gas-lit fireplace, vibrant abstract artwork,
flat-screen TVs, and shelves stocked with more art books and interesting
collectibles.Overall,
the hotel delivers a residential vibe. Bellmen greet guests with a
"welcome home" and the rooms are spacious with suites finished with
separate living areas and kitchenettes. Affinia lacks a restaurant and bar, but
there's a tailored pantry next to the front desk stocked with a variety of necessary
snacks from half-bottles of cabernet to tins of gummy bears from Dean and
Deluca. Mint, an upscale Indian restaurant is across the street and there are a
slew of other dining opportunities, including the New York classic Smith and
Wollensky's and the trendy Dos Caminos, within walking distance.

Affinia 50 is located in the heart of Midtown East on a busy
city block at the intersection of 50th Street and Third Avenue. The
immediate area outside the front entrance portrays a typical midtown scene with glossy office buildings, passing yellow cabs, and business people on their way to and from meetings. The
hotel shares the block with three other upscale hotels, The Kimberly, the SanCarlos, and The Benjamin. A nice Indian restaurant (Mint) and a wine bar are
steps away while the popular Spanish restaurant (Dos Caminos) and Smith
and Wollensky’s steakhouse are around the corner. Classic tourist attractions
such as Rockefeller Center and the Museum of Modern Art are within walking
distance. Transportation hub Grand Central is closeby but the nearest subway
stop is just a block away.- Nine-minute walk to the Chrysler Building

• 10-minute walk to the United Nations
• 10-minute walk to Bloomingdale’s
• 11-minute walk to Grand Central Terminal
• 11-minute walk to Rockefeller Plaza
• 11-minute walk to Radio City Music Hall
• 13-minute walk to the Museum of Modern Art
• 10-minute cab ride to Penn Station
• 35-minute drive to JFK International Airport
• 20-minute drive to LaGuardia International Airport

Fifty NYC-an Affinia hotel's 251 rooms and suites stick to a cohesive design
that mixes contemporary style with residential comfort. The color palette is mostly brown, black and white, with accents of bright colors; the architecture is post-war, free of crown molding or other historical details. Windows are dressed with simple white drapes with
thick black horizontal stripes, sofas are finished in gray tweed with
butter-yellow accent pillows, red lamps sit atop black side tables, and ivory
leather accent chairs are both comfortable and stylish. All of the rooms
feature artwork by New York artists, a mix of black and white sketches of citylandmarks and more colorful abstract pieces. In some rooms, the walls are
accented with stretches of wallpaper featuring a repetitive print of black and
white shelved books. Work desks, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers add
comfort to the boxy spaces.Standard guest rooms are huge by
New York City standards (325 to 400 square feet) and come equipped with two queen or one king bed. Deluxe guest rooms add square footage and a pullout sofa. Beds feature Affinia
signature mattresses, tufted leather headboards with built-in gooseneck reading
lamps, and a bright canvas of artwork hung on the wall above the headboard. Larger
classes of rooms (Studios, Junior suites, and One-Bedroom suites) have
kitchenettes finished with open shelves, white dinnerware, and mini appliances.
Terrace suites are the hotel's version of pied-a-terres with wrap-aroundterraces and skyline views.Bathrooms come with either glass-enclosed showers or
tub/shower combinations with neutral tile-work, stone vanities with two-drawers
of storage below, glass shelving, plenty of white towels, and signature swaths
of graffiti-inspired poetry wallpaper. In lieu of tiny bottles of takeaway
toiletries, Affinia refills a trio of tall, wall-mounted bottles with ComfortZone brand shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

The hotel lacks an on-site restaurant and lounge, but it
does offer a continental breakfast (for a fee) daily in the second-floor ClubRoom. Room service is available from lunch through dinner and there's a stylish
Cupboard next to the front desk where guests can stock up on snacks, soda, and
wine. The hotel hosts daily wine receptions in the Club Room where
guests can mix and mingle among themselves and with hotel management. There's
also Sophia Wine Bar, just steps from the hotel's entrance and many other
places to imbibe and dine nearby.Fitness-inclined guests can head to the cheery (not dark
despite its lack of windows) gym, which holds a solid selection of cardiomachines and free weights as well as a private changing area and shower.Pets are also treated as VIPs at Affina (for a fee) with cushy dog beds, dog stairs, toys, and treats. A portion of the pet fee goes to the Humane Society.