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"This place looks straight out of The Great Gatsby," remarked a passer-by of the iconic Hotel Metro. It's an accurate description: the Art Deco palace, complete with palm trees and brass fixtures, easily transports visitors back to the Roaring Twenties. Chandeliers drip from the ceiling, marble pillars are scattered throughout the lobby, and oversized black-and-white photos of movie starlets stare blankly from their various perches throughout the hotel. The 179 rooms—small, even by Manhattan standards—come with the basics, and the bathrooms boast marble floors and rose-tinted countertops. The on-site library makes a cozy spot to relax and read by the fireplace. Head to the rooftop bar for a nightcap and treat yourself to one of the best views of the nearby Empire State Building, itself a symbol of the Art Deco movement. Not bad for a hotel that consistently prices $50 to $150 a night cheaper than many of its neighbors. — Nick Divito

More bang for your buck: The best hotel in Midtown for those who don't want to sacrifice style for price.

Cons
Some might consider the mirrored gold and brass fixtures a bit garish and over the top.