Dream Midtown

The Dream Midtown is situated in a stunning Beaux Arts corner-building that dates to 1895, and it definitely stands out amid Midtown’s more straightforward office towers. A massive, $20 million renovation of the property completed in 2015 has made this whimsical hotel all the more luxurious with a perfect pairing of charming vintage-inspired details and modern style. Additional renovations to the lobby, completed after our visit in 2016, further transformed the space. Light wood flooring and white brocade and wood accent walls and columns are paired with contemporary seating and modern artwork. One leftover from the original lobby is a large cylindrical fish tank.Standout spots include the dining and bar areas. The Rickey has a charming vintage vibe with damask walls and rich, velvety green button-tufted seating, while the indoor part of the rooftop bar offers a luxurious Art-Deco-meets-industrial vibe with wood floors and ceilings, spider-like chandelier lights with exposed bulbs, and gold accents. The primary complaint about this hotel is major elevator congestion, especially when one elevator is reserved for guests of the rooftop bar. The hotel is not particularly tailored toward children (though they're certainly allowed), but it draws all sorts of other guests from tourists to business people -- even some celebrities.

Well-located in bustling Midtown Manhattan on 55th Street, flanked by Broadway and Seventh Avenue, this hotel shares the block with the Westhouse Hotel and several restaurants, including the famous Carnegie Deli right on the corner (a one-minute walk). Carnegie Hall, Central Park, and Columbus Circle can all be reached in about five-minutes or less on foot, while the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and Times Square can be reached on foot in under 10 minutes. For sights farther out, two subway stops are just a three-minute walk from the hotel and comprise the N, Q, R, B, D, and E lines. With these, guests can reach a whole slew of major attractions in 25-minutes or less. La Guardia Airport is about 45 minutes via public transit while JFK is an hour. Discounted parking is available at a nearby garage, but -- this is New York -- it's still pricey.

After the 2014/2015 renovation, rooms at Dream Midtown have become bright, airy, and chicly modern. The focal point of all rooms are the colorful headboards curved into an aerodynamic canopy and covered in floral- and gemstone-print fabric. Brown carpets sport a wood-grain pattern, while white walls pair with matching furniture, offering a sleek backdrop for bright pops of color -- a rich, velvety purple chair or lime green accent pillow. Bathrooms are luxurious and modern with Carrera marble walls, square sinks, back-lit mirrors, and walk-in showers.All rooms feature cozy pillow-top beds with feather duvets and Egyptian cotton sheets, work desks and chairs, plus large flat-screen HDTVs with cable channels and free Wi-Fi. Wardrobes offer storage space plus bathrobes, slippers, and irons and ironing boards. Minibars are stocked with drinks (though they work on sensors and can't be used to store personal items). There's no in-room coffee and tea facilities, although room service is available and there's free hot drinks in the lobby. Bathrooms include hairdryers and high-end C.O. Bigelow individual toiletries. Rooms are compact to be sure, but they make good use of space and are not out of line with Manhattan size standards. The entry-level Bronze solo measures 220 square feet while the Gold King is a spacious 375 square feet (there are plenty of in-between options). Suites measure between 400 and 500 square feet, while the Guesthouse is a whopping 1,500 square feet and includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a spectacular view, among other luxuries. Guests on lower floors occasionally complain about street noise.

With uniquely chic decor, the hotel's two bars and restaurant provide guests with stylish features beyond the typical hotel setup. The property's hottest attraction is its 2015 add-on -- a bi-level, rooftop bar and lounge, PHD Terrace. Situated on the 15th and 16th floors, this trendy spot is becoming a nightlife destination in its own right with regular DJ nights. Another nightspot, The Rickey is a charmingly chic, vintage-inspired cocktail lounge with evening hours. The hotel's Italian restaurant, Serafina, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunches, but breakfast is not included in the room rate. Room service is available. The hotel has no on-site fitness center, but it does provide an alternative to the classic city-hotel mini-gym -- it offers free passes to the Crunch Gym on West 54th Street, a large fitness facility about a seven-minute walk from the hotel. Concierge service, like ticket assistance and recommendations, is available, plus staff can provide dry-cleaning and laundry service, turndown service, or arrange for childcare. The hotel also offers cribs, but overall the Dream is not particularly suited to families. Self- and valet-parking are available at a nearby garage for a discount, though it's still pricey (the norm in Manhattan). Pets are allowed for a weekly extra fee.