Le Meridien New York, Central Park

Built in 2013, The Viceroy hotel is a modern boutique hotel situated in a 29-story building with an industrial black-brick grid that sits over a facade of windows. Inside, white and beige floors and walls pair well with rich wood accent walls and vintage brass light fixtures for a look that manages to feel high-end without being stuffy or extravagant. In the lobby, a large scale mural is situated above a long, leathery white couch, while armchairs and tufted stools are gathered in small seating areas. While the reception area isn't large, there's a small, moody library nook off the lobby offering shelves full of books and extra seating, plus there's a lobby restaurant and bar. The hotel's central location and high-end services make this a hotspot for upscale leisure travelers and tourists as well as business guests.

The Viceroy hotel is exceptionally well-located in the heart of Manhattan on bustling 57th Street, just off 6th Avenue. The spot is on the northern reaches of Midtown and two blocks from the southern edge of Central Park. From here, all of Manhattan is easily within reach, and there are several major attractions that are a five-minute walk away, such as Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall, and Fifth Avenue, home to high-end shops and many luxury brands' flagship stores. A walk of fifteen minutes or less can take guests to the Museum of Modern Art, Times Square, Columbus Circle, and Lincoln Center. The immediate location is touristy and upscale, but for points farther out, there are four subway lines within a five-minute walk of the hotel. The neighborhood is safe, though it's quieter in the evenings and not ideal for nightlife, but there are plenty of high-end restaurants nearby.Guests can get to Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, and Port Authority Bus Terminal in about 15 minutes via public transport. LaGuardia Airport is 30 to 40 minutes away, while JFK can be reached in an hour, both via public transport.- Two-minute walk to 57th Street subway (F line)

• Four-minute walk to Central Park
• Five-minute walk to Carnegie Hall
• Five-minute walk to Rockefeller Center
• Eight-minute walk to Columbus Circle
• Eight-minute walk to MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
• 12-minute walk to Times Square
• 15-minute walk to Lincoln Center
• 15 minutes to Penn Station via public transport
• 17 minutes to Grand Central Terminal via public transport
• 40-minute drive to LaGuardia Airport 
• 43-minute drive to JFK Airport

Guest rooms at the Viceroy pair modern amenities with vintage-inspired decor -- think rich wood accents and brass details -- for a look that's both homey and high-end. Parquet floors, wood furniture, and wood accent walls create a cozy feel and offer contrast to fresh white walls. Bathrooms are modern, tiled in black and white and equipped with glass walk-in showers and beautiful brass hardware. In smaller rooms, the sinks may sit outside of the bathrooms. All rooms have desks, bedside tables, safes, and storage space. Bedding is high-end with down comforters and pillows as well as Sferra bed linens.The room amenities are where the Viceroy really shines. Each room has a 40" flat-screen HD Samsung Smart TV, a Beats by Dr. Dre sound system that can link up with smartphones, a stocked minibar, free bottled water, and an Illy espresso-maker. In-room Wi-Fi is also available, but it's only free for guests who booked directly through the hotel. Rooms include plush robes and slippers and bathrooms are stocked with high-end Neil George toiletries. Turndown service is available nightly, and free daily newspapers can be requested. Rooms and suites can accommodate two to four people. Rooms for two are a tight squeeze at 250 square feet, but suites can be as large as 1,200 square feet. The space in small rooms is well-considered, though, and not uncommonly small for Manhattan. While the room decor is tasteful and high-end, it's darker and less dramatic than some of NYC's big-name luxury hotels, leaving guests occasionally disappointed.

Although the Viceroy lacks a spa, pool, or full business center, it does have a range of high-end facilities that reflect its luxury status. The hotel's lobby restaurant and bar, Kingside, offers American dishes and stylish, vintage-inspired decor in-tune with the rest of the hotel. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner are served, and the bar offers daily happy hours. It's pricey, though, and breakfast isn't included in the room rate. The hotel's rooftop bar is particularly well-liked and open to the public -- it offers small plates, outdoor seating, and exceptional views of Central Park. Room service is available 24-hours.Unlike many hotels, the Viceroy's 24-hour fitness center doesn't feel like an afterthought. It's plain, but modern and spacious with a wide range of cardio and weight-lifting equipment in addition to free weights as well as yoga and pilates equipment like mats, exercise balls, and balance balls. Private fitness training is also available. For business guests, the hotel has two meeting rooms and audio-visual equipment in addition to secretarial, postal, and photocopying services. Pets under 25 pounds are allowed, but incur an extra fee for rooms below suite level. Wi-Fi is free for guests with direct bookings, but others must pay an extra fee. Past guests report that the staff cater to guests and anticipate their needs, while the concierges are extremely helpful. The hotel can arrange for car or limo service, childcare, or restaurant reservations.