Which New York hotel should 'Project Runway' have chosen for the finale?

In the penultimate episode of Lifetime's Project Runway last night, we learned that the final three designers -- Carol Hannah, Althea, and Irina -- have made the Gunn-ordered pilgrimage to New York City to prepare for the big season finale showing at New York Fashion Week in Bryant Park. While they're in the Big Apple, the designers are staying at the fashionable, trendy, much-hyped, totally-cool…Grand Hyatt New York. Oh. Huh.

It's not that we're hating on chains, and we're sure Lifetime struck some sort of deal with the brand. Plus, the rooms at the Grand Hyatt are clean, fairly large are up-to-date, with bathrooms spacious enough for Carol Hannah to throw up (due to an illness) in relative comfort . But the 1,311-room property caters primarily to families, business travelers, and major conventions -- not so much to the up-and-coming fashion designer.
For the Heidi-addicted fashionista aching to show her own line at Bryant Park (or at least live out a fantasy that involves a Project Runway-style New York experience), there are plenty of other Big Apple hotels that we'd suggest for hip young designers -- and for the PR finale.

For the struggling young designer: It doesn't get much more urban-cool on the (relatively) cheap than the Ace Hotel New York. Located just below Herald Square (near Macy's, which is thrown in your face ten times per Runway episode), the hotel is decked out in vintage-inspired eclectic decor, with PR-appropriate accents like garment racks made of repurposed plumbing pipes. Prices are fair, and Tim and Heidi could share a bunk room.

For the Bryant Park stalker: Duh. The Bryant Park Hotel. Too obvious?

For the designer in need of a 'Muse': Just four blocks from Bryant Park, the newly-renovated Muse has brand new rooms and a killer wine bar. Plus, the vibe echoes the neighborhood's boho-chic history and longtime association with artists, actors, and musicians. Cool.


Though, if you have to stay at the Grand Hyatt, we suppose you can "make it work" (ha, sorry, had to).