Very elegant and upscale rooms. Small hotel, right across the street from Bryant Park. Quieter than most midtown locations.

On the East side on 50th, San Carlos is an unassuming treasure. Great service, very well run hotel with nicely sized rooms and quality amenities.

Feeling trendy? Hip hotel, with stark decoration and a euro crowd to match. Best public bathrooms in the city, in case that’s important to you.

A upscale and hip hotel in a great location a half block off 5th avenue. Very contemporary rooms and common areas. Slightly cold style, but very well done. Often hard to get into.

What can you say about a hotel where you run into Jeff Tweedy on the night he finished recording Ghost! A casual hip spot, populated by a lot of music and fashion crowd. Lousy name, but you’ll find very large rooms, and a cool cowhide meets walnut interior.

Kind of over the top, very chic, small but well appointed rooms. An amazing rooftop lounge, and a vibe that lets you know you’re in NY and best adjust the ‘tude.

I’ve stayed here off an on for over a decade, love the feel of the lobby and bar area, and it feels very classy and classic in style. Rooms have felt hit and miss of late, but it’s a solid choice. On a quiet section of midtown, close to Grand Central and 5th Ave.

A very reasonably priced hotel with nice rooms and a decent set up in lobby/bar. On the edge of Time Square, if you’re looking for that (I’m not usually).

If you’re not, it’s a quiet hotel, I’ve found, despite the location, and a quality choice for what is often the best boutique price in midtown.

The Muse is in the heart of Time Square theater district, which is an area I typically avoid. However, as boutique hotels go, this one is really good. Very nicely appointed rooms, and attentive service.

I’ll pick a different location, but I do like this hotel a lot. If the price is right, or if you feel compelled to spend your business trip gawking along time square, this would be mecca.

Ignore the marketing, Well heeled is not equal to well worn.

ok, so a pool in the lobby with a lounge to watch the swimmers. Ew!

The appearances are deceiving – all the details are cheap, disposable and poor quality.

Avoid! I just spent two sweltering nights here with marginal air conditioning. It’s understaffed, and a nightmarish landing place for tour buses.

I think this was Philippe Stark’s first hotel that started the whole boutique trend. While the lobby and whisky bar are cool, the rooms are super small, and worn out. Been here, done this, too many better choices.