The Bryant Park Hotel

A fashion favorite in Midtown
Noteworthy for: The hotel is housed in a landmark 1920s skyscraper, built by the American Radiator Company. In honor of the product, the black brickwork symbolizes coal and the gold, fire.

Those who believe that nothing cool occurs above 14th Street might blanche at the prospect of staying a few blocks from Times Square, but The Bryant Park Hotel is far more happening that its Midtown location might suggest.
When Fashion Week was centered around Bryant Park, the hotel was its unofficial HQ. Although the shows have now moved on, it's still popular with fashion types, drawn by its vampish interiors (padded leather lifts), well regarded Japanese restaurant Koi and unapologetically young, rocking vibe (those over 30 who venture down to its Cellar Bar might wish to take ear plugs).

The 128 rooms are more spacious than usual in Manhattan, and it's worth splashing out on one overlooking the park and the New York Library.