Profile

Though you won’t find a periodic table in this former home of the Chemist’s Club of New York, the Dylan Hotel is an aesthetic compound of old and new elements. Constructed in 1903 for an elite band of scientists, the 16-story Midtown Beaux-Arts building was transformed into a modern 107-room boutique hotel in 2000. A few pre-war details still remain—an old-fashioned staircase and decorative wood ceilings—and they mix surprisingly well with sleek décor and modern amenities. The guest rooms, designed by Jeffrey Beers, feature 11-foot ceilings, large windows draped in royal blue fabric, and simple, chic furniture. Bathrooms with contemporary stand-up showers and basin-bowl sinks are tiled with Italian Carrara marble. Though there’s nary a Bunsen burner in sight, the beakers-cum-bathroom cups do pay homage to the past. So does the gothic style “Alchemy Suite,” (the former Chemist’s Club library), which boasts vaulted ceilings and original stained glass windows. The Penthouse Suite and private terrace provide more spacious alternatives. Since its brief turn as Nyla, Britney Spears’ bombed business venture, the Dylan Restaurant/Bar has been transformed into Benjamin Steakhouse. — Melia Patria

Stylish, up-to-date hotel with an interesting history and a convenient Midtown location.

Cons
Guest rooms are on the small side and only a few bathrooms have tubs.

Claim to Fame
This turn-of-the-century building was once home to the Chemists’ Club of New York and, more recently, Britney Spears' defunct restaurant Nyla.