The Marcel at Gramercy

The Marcel has a gray stucco facade embedded with two horizontal steel beams, giving the hotel an imposing, industrial look. Inside, the Gramercy Park boutique has a design sense that aims for hip, but doesn't quite hit the mark. The predominately gray and earth-toned lobby features a few distinct seating areas: a super-glossy black C-shaped sofa with polka-dot throw pillows, a dramatically long mid-century-style silver couch, and two low-to-the-ground chairs facing a chrome fixture meant to evoke a modern mounted fireplace. Other design elements include silvery walls, gauzy curtains, contemporary artwork, and a marble-fronted reception desk. Each design element on its own is sleek, but the overall effect is somewhat heavy and glum.The interior design has far more success in the 136 rooms, which are considerably simpler and airier than the dark lobby. The gray color scheme is injected with an earthy, on-trend yellow tone that falls somewhere between chartreuse and marigold. Bold black-and-white-striped curtains, mod furniture, and bright artwork all add dimension, without feeling fussy. The Marcel lacks an on-site restaurant, gym, or spa, but does have one major asset: its BYOB rooftop terrace with a direct view of the Empire State Building. There's a fee for the continental breakfast and in-room Wi-Fi (though guests can find free Wi-Fi in the lobby and on the 10th-floor terrace and its adjoining indoor lounge, which has two computer stations, a living-room-like seating area, a six-person conference table, and free coffee). 

The Marcel is just a five-minute walk from the beautiful Madison Square Park, and its few surrounding subway lines. The area is dotted with high-quality, bars and restaurants -- such as Eleven Madison Park, Upland, and Little Beet Table -- that tend to attract more locals than tourists.Primarily residential, the neighborhoods of Gramercy and Murray Hill don't have the tourist crowds of Times Square or Midtown East. For most visitors, the main draw is that it's a quiet, convenient place to stay, just outside the theaters, funky shops, and restaurants of the East Village (to the south) and the business-focused hub and high-end 5th Avenue shopping of Midtown East (to the north).- Three blocks from the 6 subway line; five blocks from the R subway line

• 20-minute subway ride to Times Square
• 15-minute walk to the Empire State Building
• 30-minute subway ride (one transfer) to the ferry terminal to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• 20-minute subway ride to Rockefeller Center

The Standard Queen -- the most basic room type -- starts at about 125 square feet, while Junior Suites -- at about 400 square feet -- have separate living areas with couches and desks.
 Deluxe King Balcony Rooms share a common balcony, with a railing creating private sections for each room
. Deluxe King Patio Rooms have private outdoor patios, and include a dining table and chairs.
There are 27- to 32-inch flat-screen TVs in the rooms and 42-inch flat-screen TVs in the suites with cable and satellite channels
. All rooms feature blackout curtains, an iPod-docking alarm clock, electronic safe (large enough for a laptop
), and C.O. Bigelow toiletries
. There is a fee for in-room Wi-Fi and the minibar.

The rooftop terrace with clear, unobstructed views of the Empire State Building is a major highlight at the hotel. The rooftop lounge lacks a full-service bar, but it's a wonderful spot for guests to relax and take advantage of the free Wi-Fi -- also available in the adjacent indoor lounge/business center, which features two computers, plenty of couches and chairs and two-top tables, a six-seat gathering table, and a banquette with free regular and decaf coffee, as well as a flat-screen TV with DVD player. It's an excellent resource. Other typical hotel features, like an in-house restaurant, spa, and fitness center, are notable no-shows. The hotel offers a daily breakfast buffet daily for a fee.