Z Hotel

Profile

Before making his name as a real-estate developer, Henry Zilberman (the titular "Z") owned limo and car services, and this wallet-friendly boutique hotel was built on the site of one of his car depots, just over the 59th Street Bridge near Silvercup Studios in Long Island City. Though the building is completely new, it's been designed to feel a bit retro, beginning with the lobby and its desk made of vintage trunks, a handmade mural of the ornate City Hall subway station, and an old-school train-station departure board announcing "welcome" in several languages. One floor down, suede-and-leather banquettes, flat-screen TVs, a baby grand piano, and tons of natural light set the scene for the bar, the restaurant, and the 24-hour deli that serves a free continental breakfast in the morning and burgers and specialty fries later on. All 100 rooms have floor-to-ceiling views of the bridge and Manhattan skyline, and whether equipped with a pillow-top king, a queen, or two double beds, each has a similar black, white, and gray décor, plus heated bathroom floors, Mason-jar light fixtures, and murals depicting Billie Holiday, yellow cabs, or the Rockettes. Every floor has hallway walls that can be retracted in nice weather, as well as a landing lounge with indoor-outdoor couches and chairs. The best place to park it, though, is the rooftop, where there's a bar and pizza oven in warm weather, and 360-degree views all year long. The hotel also offers free hourly limo shuttles to and from midtown, with the drop-off near Bloomingdale's. The ride is only about ten to fifteen minutes, and the service is available from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. — Sandra Ramani

Free Continental breakfast, Wi-Fi and global phone calls; uninterrupted city views; rooftop bar with pizza oven; free hourly limo shuttles to and from midtown.

Cons
Not many conveniences (delis, drugstores) within walking distance; walk to and from subway is a bit desolate at night; no on-site gym, spa, or business center.