The Gregory Hotel New York

The Gregory's roots date back to 1903, when it was first built at the upscale Gregorian Hotel, which remained a stately fixture in the neighborhood until the hardships of the first half of the 20th century eventually led to its demise. More recently, this hotel was known as the Hotel 35 Herald Square (and the Comfort Inn Manhattan before that). It was once one of the best values in Midtown West until it underwent a $15 million dollar renovation, and reopened in 2015 as the notably chicer Gregory, with room rates to match. It still regains its elegant, old-fashioned look with a molded exterior, black awnings, and tall windows -- plus a quaint lobby with an old-fashioned letterbox, parquet floors, tall ceilings, displayed antiques, and crown molding. Elevators lead up to room floors, and hallways feature black-and-white tiling and trim, with wall art to match. The hotel attracts tourists and business travelers alike, and its location is its biggest draw for many.

The Gregory is located in Manhattan's Garment District, an area packed with the city's wholesale textile designers and shops, but it's still an easy walk to popular chain shops and department stores, and just a few blocks away from Macy's and the Empire State Building. Koreatown, which is chockfull of great (and cheap) Korean BBQ restaurants and karaoke joints, starts about three blocks away. The hotel itself is on a street that gets a fair amount of traffic during the day, but it's still pretty quiet at night. The area is well-served by public transportation: the 33rd Street subway station is just a four-minute walk away and Penn Station takes seven minutes to reach on foot. The southern end of Central Park can be reached in about 10 to 15 minutes by subway or car depending on traffic, while the Metropolitan Museum of Art takes closer to a half-hour by taxi. Getting to JFK takes around an hour by subway and AirTrain (with a change in Jamaica), and it takes just as long to reach by car. Newark is an easier option for those relying on public transportation; getting there takes around 45 minutes by train.

Rooms at this hotel are simple and elegant, with tasteful contemporary business decor and a good selection of amenities, including mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, individual air-conditioning units, and free Wi-Fi. However, rooms lack coffee- and tea-making facilities (though there is free coffee served downstairs at the hotel restaurant). The main factor differentiating room types is the layout and bed configurations. All rooms feature gray herringbone patterned carpets, pale-gray striped wallpaper, sleek desks with chrome-framed chairs and accents, and dark-wood furniture, headboards, and trim. Wall art matches the aesthetic and consists primarily of framed art prints in monochrome hues. Bathrooms are snug but snazzy, with black-and-white mini-tile floors, shower/tub combos with white tiling, and wall-mounted toiletries from Apotheke. Robes and hairdryers are provided. Counter space is limited, but all bathrooms have pull-out drawers to add storage space. 

While The Gregory does get it's fair share of business travelers, the amenities aren't really sufficient for meetings or groups, though there is free hotel-wide Wi-Fi and a computer with a printer for guest use around the clock. There's also a fitness center, but it's tiny, with only a few cardio machines and a rack of free weights. Valet laundry service and package storage is also available. Free coffee and tea are served every morning in the lobby, a boon given that rooms lack coffeemakers. Breakfast is also served at Brendan's Bar & Grill until late morning, for a fee. The restaurant stays open for lunch and dinner, with sandwiches, steaks, and cocktails on the menu. There's no on-site parking, but travelers get a discount at Meyers Parking nearby. Pets are welcome, for a fee.