What it is

An art-stocked neighborhood hideaway since 1925, resuscitated by Julian Schnabel.

What it isn't

Basic. If you’re looking for a business hotel with all the stodgy accoutrement that goes with, keep looking.

What we think

With works by Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol and Keith Haring adorning the place, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re staying in a particularly homey, Renaissance-revival outpost of MoMA. Yet the Gramercy Park Hotel has the elusive art of pampering guests down to a science: All 190 rooms have a sexy, jewel-toned look courtesy of artist Julian Schnabel and include British mahogany drinking cabinets, St. Laurent marble vanities and Italian linen–swathed beds. The very best part of staying here—besides the fact that folks like the Beatles and Humphrey Bogart did, back in the day—may just be that the on-site Italian restaurant is by none other than Danny Meyer. Why go out when you can pop downstairs to Maialino for a dinner of bucatini all’amatriciana or chicken all diavola—or just have it delivered to your suite?

You're here because

Unlike every other hotel in town, this one will give you the keys to the kingdom—a.k.a. entry to lush, private Gramercy Park, usually only open to neighborhood residents (rumor has it a young John F. Kennedy bullied the squirrels there).

The Moment

Sitting in the Rose Bar, next to the roaring flames in the limestone fireplace as Rufus Wainwright—an occasional guest performer—sings, and sipping your 12-year Glenfiddich, you truly heart New York.

Location

Four blocks north of Union Square, adjacent to Gramercy Park and its tidy rows of 1830’s townhouses.

Restaraunts & Bars

Maialino - Italian flair, located lobby level of the hotel

Rose Bar - Exotic and delicious cocktails ranging from classic aperitifs to fanciful drinks and modern classics. Sophisticated and diverse music including custom designed playlists by world-renowned DJ's and live entertainment twice a week

Family activities

Victorian Gardens in Central Park: This amusement park takes over Wollman Rink from Memorial Day weekend until just after Labor Day every year

Picnic and stroll through Prospect Park: This park always has something great for families, from free movies to hikes to bird-watching.

Get up close and personal with the residents of the Bronx Zoo

Have a tourists-in-the-city day, complete with dirty water hot dogs!

Visit the Empire State Building

Sony Wonder Technology Lab - Free entry

Ice-skate year-round at Chelsea Piers indoor rink

The Liberty Science Center: From the nation's largest Imax Dome Theater to the iExplore toddler and preschool exploratorium to permanent installations, like the 12,800-square-foot interactive Skyscraper! exhibit, there is way too much here to explore in just one day.

Head to the Bronx or Queens to take in a Major League ball game or get a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens in spring

Brooklyn Bridge, get ice cream and stop for pizza at Grimaldi's

Stroll through Battery Park City, including Tom Otterness' Penny Park, and also hit the Battery

Bike down the West Side bike path from Inwood to Battery Park City

Interactive installations at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Head to Belmont Park to take in some horse races and enjoy family-friendly fun

Visit one of NYC's world-class museums for free

Have dim sum in Chinatown

Tram to Roosevelt Island and spend the day exploring

Visit NYC's surrounding islands like Staten Island, Governors Island, City Island and Ellis Island, for a trip through history

Take a ride on a red double-decker tour buses