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The UN Plaza spoils its diplomats, business travelers, and vacationers rotten. Think state-of-the art facilities, gorgeous accommodations—all with equally gorgeous panoramic views—and amenities galore. The hotel’s far east Midtown location allows for more space than the average city hotel, allowing for a full fitness center, complete with a heated swimming pool and sauna, an indoor tennis court, and 7,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space. The roomy feel carries over into each of the hotel’s 427 guest rooms, where the contemporary décor highlights marble, chrome and glass with hints of wood. The hotel was built in a European style, but the panoramic views and contemporary furnishing make the rooms feel more like an upscale Manhattan penthouse. Guests may never want to leave, and they don’t necessarily have to: apartment-style suites are available for long-term lease. — E. J. Samson

Guest rooms start on the 28th floor, so guests are virtually guaranteed a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline and/or the East River.

Cons
Location. The views can’t quite make up for the longer-than-it-should-be walk to the nearest subway and the lack of nearby attractions.