The Hotel @ New York City

The hotel's main floor has had a complete renovation, giving it a polished modern look with cool blue-paneled walls and funky filament bulb light fixtures. There's a small but inviting sitting area along a white-painted brick wall in the lobby, warmed up by potted plants and some decorative tile work. The large breakfast room had the same kind of updates, but unfortunately we spotted a couple of mice darting across the floor when we entered it. The rest of the hotel has had no such style makeover, and the hallways and stairwells display the kind of wear expected of an aging New York building.

The hotel is located on the corner of Lexington Avenue, just south of most of the corporate buildings in Midtown East. Its old brick building is surrounded by colorful prewar town houses, and is a 10-minute walk from the Empire State Building in Murray Hill. Primarily residential, the neighborhood doesn't have the tourist crowds of Times Square or Midtown, and the quieter low-key vibe is a big draw. Madison Square Park and the Fashion Institute of Technology are also within walking distance, as are many shops, bars, and restaurants. There's a pizzeria across the street and the hotel is three blocks from the 6 train subway line, or six blocks from the 28th St N,Q, R stop.

Small but comfortable, the the hotel's 101 rooms have a dated decor with somewhat newer wood furnishings. The patterned carpets and patterned wallpaper make for a busy vibe, especially with the addition of old floral bedspreads. The standard rooms have either queen- or king-size beds, with just enough room for small desks and roller chairs beside the dressers that double as a stands for 32-inch flat-screen TVs. Coffeemakers and iPod docks come standard, while larger Double Queen Rooms add mini-fridges and microwaves. Some rooms have city views, but others have poor views obstructed by other buildings. The small bathrooms have average shower/tub combos.

The Hotel @ New York City's free continental breakfast is served in an atmospheric dining room with pendant bulbs and a wall-mounted flat-screen TV with plenty of seating (it's clean and modern to look at, but we saw some unwelcome city pests running across the floor). Breakfast includes cereal, fruit, baked goods, and yogurt, along with coffee and juice. The 24-hour fitness room is tiny, with just three cardio and weight-training machines, and there's also a 24-hour internet corner with a pair of Macs and a printer.