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Since 1926, the Stanhope Hotel has been an icon of Upper East Side luxury, synonymous with Central Park, Madison Avenue shopping, and warm, diligent service. Today, the Stanhope's 185 rooms are equally decadent, if a little faded, and the air of small-hotel lavishness is still intact. The flower-bedecked lobby is decorated in the French Empire style, with occasional touches of Asian and American influences like Chinese lamps and wood paneling. The rooms, which range from $315 for a basic queen to $1,450 for a park view suite, are all large and come with wireless Internet access, mini bars, hair dryers, safes, irons and ironing boards, robes and Floris toiletries. The hotel restaurant, Melrose, is competent but expensive, as is the wood-paneled lounge, Gerard's. Of special note to the business traveler is a 2,800-square-feet meeting space, complete with coffered ceilings and oversized windows that provide park views. One word of warning: though the Stanhope has been historically pet-friendly, they have recently enacted a prohibitive $100 per-pet fee. — Mike Sanfilippo

Pros: One of the original, and still the best, small hotels in Manhattan. The location is also one of the finest in the city.

Cons: Expensive—but you knew that already.