The London NYC

The London NYC isn't so named because it has a sister property in England's capital (it doesn't), though there is a West Hollywood outpost. The Union Jack flies out front, next to a flag bearing the hotel's name in a stylish sans serif, but the hotel doesn't feel distinctly British -- at least not in the "God save the queen" and "tea time while reading Jane Austen" sense. Rather, the hotel's name seems intended only to make it feel hip and international, or at least more unique than, say, the W Times Square, with whom it shares a bright, modern aesthetic. 

The hotel's guest rooms are all large, 500-square-foot suites, stylishly decorated by Irish designer David Collins with modish furniture and shimmering white-tiled bathrooms. Despite the hotel's massive size, it feels more like a boutique property thanks to all the stylish touches both in and outside of the guest rooms.

A number of celebrity guests have reportedly graced the hotel with their presence, including Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, and Usher. Non-celebrity guests typically include style-conscious business travelers during the week and style-conscious leisure travelers on the weekend.

The hotel is centrally located near many of the city's top attractions. Times Square is close, but not too close -- about a dozen blocks away. Better yet, Central Park is just five short blocks north. The Broadway theater district begins a block and a half to the west of the hotel and stretches south down Broadway.

• Other sights within seven blocks include the Museum of Modern Art, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, and shopping on Fifth Avenue.
• Six blocks away, The Shops at Columbus Circle have some of the city's best -- and most expensive -- restaurants, like Thomas Keller's Per Se and Masayoshi Takayama's Masa.
• The area is also scattered with plenty of delis and cafes for cheap, easy bites. Within the Shops, there's a Whole Foods offering good options for quick lunches.

The 500-square-foot standard London suites -- twice the size of many New York hotel rooms -- are some of the biggest and best rooms for the buck in NYC.

With curved sofas, mirrors and modern lamps aplenty, and a mix of carpet and herringbone oakwood floors, the decor asserts that London (both the hotel and the British capital) equals groovy. The feel is young and fun, upscale but not over-the-top luxurious.

• The minibar is housed in its own separate cabinet, topped with multiple bar trays, that stands proudly in the guest-room entry hall.
• Large parlor areas are decked out with a sectional sofa, coffee table, large work desk, and mod white-leather rocking chair.
• Some standard suites have French doors separating the bedroom from the parlor area, while others have open layouts and less privacy.
• Bathrooms are covered in glistening white mosaic tiles.
• Some rooms feature not one but two showers -- one with a rainfall showerhead, one with a standard showerhead.
• C.O. Bigelow toiletries
• Beds are topped with Italian cotton sheets.
• Bedrooms and living areas are equipped with flat-screen LCD TVs.
• iHome iPod docks
• Desks come with IP phones, computer and video inputs, and numerous outlets.
• Free Wi-Fi

• The fourth-floor fitness center, or the London Club NYC as it's so cheekily called, is large and lovely. It has windows (a New York rarity), kinesis machines, numerous Life Fitness cardio machines with built-in TVs, and even a punching bag.
• The hotel doesn't have a spa, but the concierge can arrange in-room massages with a licensed therapist.
• The nicely lit business center charges for internet and printing. However, guest rooms have free Wi-Fi.

• The 500-square-foot standard London Suites and London Vista Suites can easily accommodate rollaway beds, but they cost extra.
• Cribs are available at no extra cost.
• London Suites with two twin beds are available.
• London Two-bedroom Suites can fit families of five (for about the price of a standard room at the Mandarin Oriental).
• The in-room dining menu is available 24 hours a day, with options such as braised short-rib grilled cheese sandwiches and steamed mussels.
• The hotel's hip vibe doesn't exactly feel warm and inviting for younger children, and there are no welcome amenities offered for kids.

In addition to the cleaning fee, two-legged guests must sign a pet waiver saying they'll take financial responsibility for any damage caused by Fido. Cute pet amenities aren't part of the deal (try the Muse or the W for that), but the hotel can provide dog bowls if needed.

Dining at The London NYC is limited to in-room dining and the chic London Bar, which is offers breakfast in the morning, and small plates in the afternoon and evening.