Warwick New York

Traditionalists will feel good about arriving to the hotel's classic black and bronze entrance, framed with arched windows on either side. A uniformed doorman will assist with luggage and point guests towards a revolving door that leads to the small, but elegant, lobby. To the left of the main hallway is Randolph’s -- named for William Randolph Hearst, who commissioned the then-five-million-dollar building for his mistress, actress Marion Davies (she once had an entire floor to herself). Today, Randolph's club-like lounge atmosphere still attracts a Midtown after-work crowd with men in suits and with expense accounts; regular tourists might find the drink prices a little too expensive.To the right of the entrance is a less notable restaurant called Murals 54 that serves breakfast daily, and lunch mid-week.

The main lobby area is compact, and has very few seating options -- but it looks nice with fresh flowers and copies of the New York Times. Next to the front desk is a set of stairs where history buffs can spend a good chunk of time perusing photographs and reading the thoughtful text. During its hey-day, Paramount Pictures used the Warwick as the headquarters for stars who were filming in the city. In addition, The Beatles stayed here when they first came to the U.S. for the Ed Sullivan Show.

It's this history that gives the hotel -- from the rooms, to the hallways, to the elevators, to Randolph's -- a real sense of NYC that is hard to find in most hotels.

The entrance to this attractive 36-story historic tower, built in 1926, sits on 54th Street on the corner of 6th Avenue. It enjoys close proximity to Times Square and Rockefeller Center, without actually being in the heart of it. The Museum of Modern Art is directly across the street (many rooms look onto this), and the main entrance can be accessed from 53rd Street. A quick walk east will take guests to 5th Avenue with its endless array of eating, drinking, and shopping options. Five short blocks to the north is Central Park.

For access to the rest of the city, there are several subway lines within a short walk from the hotel, like the 50th Street Subway Station for the B, D, F, and M lines.

The Warwick has 426 rooms in 36 floors -- not surprisingly, the higher the floor, the less street noise can be heard. There are several room types offered. The basic rooms feature one king or two double beds, flat-screen TVs, modern marble bathrooms (with stand-up showers or tub/shower combo)s, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, and stocked minibars (make sure to look over the bill during check out as there have been complaints of incorrect bills). Views in the basic level rooms may be non-existent. Coffeemakers and mini-fridges can be brought to the rooms upon request.

The higher level the room type, the more space, better the view, and more amenities it will have. For instance, Premier Suites have separate living areas, Bulgari toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers.

"On the Avenue Suites" have direct views of 6th Avenue and the Hudson River. The Warwick also has a handful of specialty suites –- each with unique décor -- like the Marion Suite, with bold décor, inspired by Film Noir. The Cary Grant Suite is a popular choice for weddings, and there’s even a Modern Art suite -– an ode to the neighboring museum -- filled with unconventional art and design.

The hotel's second floor has seven distinct rooms for meetings, weddings, and private events, and is accessed by the lobby stairwell lined with photographs and historic tidbits from Warwick's rich past. The third floor is home to the hotel’s fitness center, which has views of 54th Street as well as cardio and weight machines, a water dispenser, towels, and a bathroom.

Dining at the restaurant can be done in-room for all meals except lunch. Daily breakfast and weekday lunch Monday is offered at Murals on 54, decorated with colorful murals, red banquettes, and dark brown chairs. Randolph’s Bar & Lounge offers lunch, dinner, and late night bites until midnight. Drinks (pretty expensive, even by New York standards) are served in a classic club-like atmosphere during the afternoon all the way until late at night.

Hotel guests -- unless they're staying in one of the specialty suites –- will find a daily charge for Wi-Fi.