One of New York's sexiest boutiques, conveniently sandwiched between Grand Central and Times Square, the Bryant Park Hotel caters to fashion and entertainment types and discerning Europeans. The combination of friendly, personalized service, a great bar and restaurant, and cool, comfortable rooms -- all within a 128-room art deco building -- makes it a distinctive pleasure.

Archer Hotel New York is a 180-room upscale luxury boutique located within blocks of Manhattan's Bryant Park. Archer has taken great pride and care in selecting top-notch amenities and extras specifically made in New York, from the free in-room bottles of water and hand-selected welcome sweets to celebrated artists' work hanging from the walls and ceilings. If you are after in-your-face views of the Empire State Building, a rooftop bar and steakhouse, and a hip, bespoke experience, this is your spot. But beware, space is tight and slightly claustrophobic overall, especially in guest rooms.

The 414 Hotel is a 22-room boutique in Midtown West, along a quiet, tree-lined stretch of Restaurant Row (a popular area for pre-theater diners). Times Square and its eight subway lines are a short walk away, as are Broadway's main shows, making this a convenient stay for tourists. But the hotel also feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of NYC -- a vibe created by the homey nature of the hotel. Rooms in the two historical townhouses that comprise the hotel are bright and airy, with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and mini-fridges. Many face the hotel's charming courtyard, where guests can enjoy the hotel's free continental breakfast in warmer months. But there are few other amenities, and the hotel does not have an elevator.

This stylish urban boutique hotel in New York's Garment District is located in a historic building that was once a tea salon and hat factory. The property's past inspired its present industrial-chic design, and small details such as decorative milliner's tools pay homage to the building's former function. In the lobby, cool white stone and Gothic arches are contrasted against colorfulcontemporary art, while in the rooms, a minimalist black-and-white motif is warmed up by the oak hardwood floors. Features include a fitness center, a lobby bar (named for the historic tea salon's owner), Parker & Quinn bistro, and a cool rooftop bar. The location is within walking distance of popular sights such as the Empire State Building, Bryant Park, and Herald Square.

Five minutes from Grand Central and 10 minutes from bustling Times Square, the Iroquois is an uncommonly quiet, 114-room hotel with an ideal Midtown West location. High-end perks include a sauna and a vintage library, but the rooms feel older than most boutique hotel rooms, despite their flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi.

This European-style boutique, located near Times Square, charms both business travelers and vacationing families with impeccable cleanliness, an acclaimed Italian restaurant on-site, bigger-than-usual standard rooms with massive soaking tubs, and free cappuccino and pastries each morning. A very fine alternative to Midtown mega hotels.

The Dream is a quintessentially stylish New York hotel, with small rooms, noisy streets outside, and two popular bars attached. Rooms aren't overly fancy, but they nail important features like comfy beds, flat-screen TVs, and Bose stereos. The location -- four blocks from Central Park -- adds additional appeal to a hotel that usually offers good value for the money.

A modern boutique hotel with mid-century inflections, the 208-room Quin has all the amenities and attributes for a luxuryMidtown Manhattan stay. Located on 57th Street at Sixth Avenue, two blocks from Central Park, the hotel puts you within walking distance or a quick subway ride from most of New York's major sights. It ticks all of the important boxes for a luxury hotel: Rooms are modern and luxurious, the downstairs restaurant and bar is a popular local spot, and the large fitness centercan arrange for personal training sessions. Additionally, the hotel goes above and beyond to offer personalized concierge service with its Attaché program (concierges here are described as "lifestyle curators"), and each room's phone has a button that connects to a Bergdorf Goodman personal shopper.

Between the contemporary art (even in the guest rooms) and the high-design lobby, this luxury boutique feels as much like a SoHo gallery as a hotel. Central Park, the Museum of Modern Art, and Fifth Avenue are all within a three block radius. The cheapest rooms might feel like a tight squeeze but they're spacious for New York standards and lofted suites with expansive balconies are more like luxury apartments than hotel rooms. David Chang's Ma Peche restaurant and Milk Bar are hot spots for Manhattanites and hotel guests. There isn't a fitness center but guests get free passes to a nearby gym and pool. Chambers Hotel is a rare find for the Midtown East neighborhood.

On a busy block just off of Herald Square, the mid-range Hotel Metro is attractive and tranquil. The Art Deco-themed lobby is cozy, with plush beige seating, and the breakfast room -- where a free continental spread is served -- doubles as a quiet lounge during the day. Room decor continues the Art Deco look, bathrooms are sleek, and modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and iPod docks. A highlight during the warmer months is the rooftop bar, complete with breathtakingviews of the Empire State Building.