The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel occupies an Art Deco tower off Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side, a block from Central Park and a nine-minute walk from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The 192 rooms and suites carry a modern Art Deco look, with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks and minibars throughout; upgraded rooms add skyline views, sitting areas or soaking tubs and rainfall showers, and more than 20 suites hold Steinway or Baldwin baby grand pianos.

Some suites include full kitchens and art collections. Dining runs from Dowling's and The Gallery to the storied Café Carlyle, a cabaret room seating 90 that has operated since 1955, and Bemelmans Bar, decorated with murals by the Madeline illustrator.

A Valmont spa, a salon and a fitness center round out the facilities, and room service runs 24 hours. It suits guests who want a historic Manhattan address with live jazz and old-world service over a modern high-rise, and who don't need a pool on site.