Gramercy Park Hotel

For a romantic getaway, this place was quiet and did the trick. I paid extra for a king room overlooking the park, and they upgraded us to a suite. The interior is one of the more distinctive I've seen, with plush reds and velvets, and the room was great. They accommodated my request and were helpful. We didn't try the restaurant, but the Jade and rose bar are cool. Hotel guests can also access Gramercy Park, which is closed to the public, and that's one of the best features.

I got in pretty late from JFK, but the front desk staff were still really welcoming and friendly. Room service and the concierge were great too. I ordered the grilled cheese, and it was excellent, plus different from what I expected. The hotel has a dark, moody feel without coming across as pretentious, and it's probably my new favorite in NYC. I'll definitely stay here again.

The room was a good size for NYC, with lovely furnishings, and this is a beautiful historic hotel. But it feels old. I had a deluxe king room without a view for four nights, and the radiator made noise all night. It didn't keep me awake, but the sound was startling when it happened. On at least two nights, room service knocked to ask if I needed anything while I was in the bathroom or already in bed, and once they even opened my door. That was outrageous. I suspect they were hoping for tips. Nothing like that has happened in my 15 years of travel. I won't come back or recommend it unless you only want the place for its name.

We went to a wedding on the rooftop terrace, which had really great skyline views. The hotel itself was beautiful, absolutely amazing. If you love art, there are some incredible original works by Andy Warhol on the walls. It's a wonderful, romantic venue, and I highly recommend checking it out.