Topflight Accomodations: Sweeping steps at the W Hotel.

Chambers Hotel
15 W. 56th St., nr. Fifth Ave.
212-974-5656
chambershotel.com
The Chambers reels in celebrities, with 77 rooms modeled after artists' lofts, loads of original artwork, and the hot restaurant Town as an additional draw. Every room phone has a button that rings through to the nearby John Barrett salon, and a stylist and manicurist can be sent to your room. There's no gym, but private, in-room yoga instruction can be arranged, and they'll give you a complimentary pass to the nearby New York Sports Club. Bridal couples may get champagne and strawberries. Rates start at $375.

City Club Hotel
55 W. 44th St., nr. Fifth Ave.
212-921-5500
cityclubhotel.com
This former gentlemen's club has been transformed into a sexy 65-room hotel catering to picky travelers who want to stay someplace luxurious and chic. Rooms are homey, with adjustable lighting, cashmere blankets, and comfy window seats. There's complimentary access to New York Sports Club and, the best part, room service from DB Bistro Moderne. There is a complimentary amenities package for bridal couples. Rates start at $329; group rates at $259.

Essex House, a Westin Hotel
160 Central Park So., nr. Seventh Ave.
212-247-0300
essexhouse.com
This glamorous Art Deco hotel with great park views is host to one of the city’s most expensive restaurants, Alain Ducasse. But there are other amenities, too, like a comprehensive fitness center. And if you don’t want to spend $250 to $300 a head at Ducasse, Café Botanica will do just fine. Rates from $359; inquire about special group rates.

Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel
141 E. 44th St., nr. Lexington Ave.
212-351-6800
Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel
687 Lexington Ave., nr. 57th St.
212-355-0100
fitzpatrickhotels.com
These Irish-owned hotels are charming and welcoming; both have pubs and restaurants serving traditional Irish cuisine, but neither has a fitness center, though complimentary passes are available for New York Sports Club. Bridal couples receive an aromatherapy basket for their stay. Rates are from $359; group rates available.

Hotel Gansevoort
18 Ninth Ave., at 13th St.
212-206-6700
hotelgansevoort.com
Hotel Gansevoort boasts an event loft with open views of the Hudson as well as a 45-foot heated outdoor pool complete with underwater music. Many of the 167 sleek, minimalist guest rooms and twenty corner suites have bay windows and balconies (from $395; group rates available).

Hotel on Rivington
107 Rivington St., nr. Ludlow St.
212-475-2600
hotelonrivington.com
The shabby-chic Lower East Side’s new claim to fame is the Hotel on Rivington—though it’s certainly more chic than shabby. Sprucing up the neighborhood one Frette sheet at a time, the hotel has 110 India Mahdavi–furnished guest rooms, some with two-person Japanese-style soaking tubs and automatic curtains for a gentler wake-up call. Rates start at $325 for a standard room, or check out the two- (soon to be three-) story penthouse with outdoor spa for your stay (from $5,000).

H�tel Plaza Ath�n�e
37 E. 64th St., nr. Madison Ave.
212-734-9100
plaza-athenee.com
This charming, European-style hotel has a well-deserved reputation for outstanding service and over-the-top suites. There are just 114 guest rooms and 35 suites, many with terraces and stunning city views. The sexy Bar Seine is just outside the restaurant, Arabelle, which serves modern American cuisine. There’s also a fitness center and 24-hour room service—not to mention great proximity to Central Park. Rates from $515; group specials from $325 (based on ten rooms or more).

The Hotel Roger Williams
131 Madison Ave., at 31st St.
212-448-7000
hotelrogerwilliams.com
With 190 rooms, the Roger Williams has a reputation for great service, including a staff that’s very plugged-in. The lobby’s tall glass windows and double-height ceiling give it an airy, modern feel. An in-house lounge/bar opened last fall. A small gym is on-site. Bridal couples get a special “Bliss Package” of amenities. Rates vary; group discounts for ten or more.

Hudson Hotel
356 W. 58th St., nr. Ninth Ave.
212-554-6000
ianschragerhotels.com
With the 1,000 rooms at the Hudson, it shouldn't be difficult to accommodate all of your guests. Hudson Cafeteria, which serves haute comfort food, and the cozy Library Bar play second fiddle to the Private Park (the Hudson’s courtyard) during the summer. Rates from $285; group discounts vary.

The Mansfield
12 W. 44th St., nr. Fifth Ave.
212-277-8700
mansfieldhotel.com
For guests who want to be tourists, too, the Mansfield’s location is a big draw: a short hop from Fifth Avenue shopping and Broadway. It’s a good value, but most rooms are tiny; there is a small bar but no gym, but guests can use the New York Sports Club across the street for $15 a day. Rates from $259; discounts for groups of ten or more.

The Muse
130 W. 46th St., nr. Sixth Ave.
212-485-2400
themusehotel.com
Look up when you enter the cherrywood lobby of this trendy boutique hotel: There’s a flashy ceiling mural featuring the Muses of Greek mythology. Marble bathrooms are stocked with Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, and beds are topped with comfy feather duvets. The well-equipped fitness center is open 24 hours a day, and the on-site restaurant, District, serves up contemporary American fare. Rates from $319; group rates negotiated individually.

The Shoreham
33 W. 55th St., nr. Fifth Ave.
212-247-6700
shorehamhotel.com
Sleek, modern, and all-around cool, the Shoreham offers stylish rooms at modest prices. The popular Shoreham Restaurant & Bar is off the lobby. There’s no gym, but passes to nearby Bally’s are complimentary. Off-peak rates from $199; group discounts for ten or more.

Soho Grand Hotel
310 W. Broadway, nr. Canal St.
212-965-3000
sohogrand.com
Rooms at this imposing, sceney spot are on the small side, but amenities—Frette linens, sparkling wine by Francis Coppola in the mini-bar—are generous. The lobby combines Old New York grandeur with downtown edge, and the in-house Grand Bar & Lounge is always buzzing. Rates start at $449, with special offers for Thanksgiving and Christmas; group rates are negotiable.

Tribeca Grand Hotel
2 Sixth Ave., nr. Church St.
212-519-6600
tribecagrand.com
Direct hipsters to this 203-room downtown boutique. Church Lounge, the living-room-style watering hole, offers a full menu—and it’s always a scene. The rooms are small but stylish, and have cool touches like We Live Like This products in the bathrooms. There’s also a small fitness center. Rates start at $449, with special offers for Thanksgiving and Christmas; group rates are negotiable.

W New York
541 Lexington Ave., at 49th St.
212-755-1200
W New York-The Court
130 E. 39th St., at Lexington Ave.
212-685-1100
W New York-Times Square
1567 Broadway, at 47th St.
212-930-7400
W New York-The Tuscany
120 E. 39th St., nr. Lexington Ave.
212-686-1600
W New York-Union Square
201 Park Avenue So., at 17th St.
212-253-9119
whotels.com
All W's have handsome rooms along with moderate rates, David Rockwell– and Yabu/Pushelberg–designed living rooms, fitness centers, bar scenes, and popular restaurants. Rates are from $239 at W New York, $269 at the Court, $269 at the Tuscany, $289 at Times Square, and $399 at Union Square; group discounts vary.

Photographed by Kenneth Chen.