Profile

The Hotel Gorham closed for a radical makeover in the winter of 2003-04, and in its place arrived the Blakely New York, with gorgeous décor and amenities to rival the city's best hotels. Wood paneling and built-in bookcases bestow the lobby with an old British club feel. The stylish rooms, on the other hand, are modernized with flat-screen TVs, DVD players, wireless Internet access, desk, full kitchenette, and marble bathrooms with Penhaligon toiletries. For business travelers, there's also a penthouse boardroom with its own outside garden terrace. Sandwiched between Fifth Avenue and Times Square, the Blakely offers its guests access to an abundance of nearby shops, restaurants, landmarks, and theaters—including the Northern Italian fare at Abboccato, which makes staying in all the more tempting. — E. J. Samson

Classic décor, modern amenities and a short elevator ride to some of the best Italian food in town.

Cons
The narrow layout of the building may have guests feeling slightly claustrophobic.