Profile

The Affinia hotel holdings include nine midtown hotels owned by the local Denihan family and the 1968-purchased Shelburne Murray Hill fits right in with their mission of luxury business stays at decent prices. All the accommodations are suites with kitchenettes, tastefully (if blandly) decorated in shades of terra cotta and vanilla. While rooms facing the back of the hotel are quieter, those in front have the views. The Shelburne houses Rare, a bar and grill reputed to have great burgers, and their rooftop bar offers 360 degree views of Manhattan, complete with the East River and the Chrysler Building. The sand-colored marble and suede lobby feels a bit stuffy and the muzak pumping through its speakers doesn’t add to the appeal. — Lisa Selin Davis

Magnificent views from the rooftop bar and penthouse suites.

Cons
The slightly sterile feel from endless beige décor and muzak.