Trump International Hotel and Tower New York

Guests enter the Trump International Hotel and Tower through an imposing set of glass doors flanked with gold accents. Welcome to the Trump International Hotel and Tower, where most everything is either gold-colored or emblazoned with the word "Trump" -- or both. Trump toothbrushes, Trump shaving cream, bottles of Trump water. The luxury hotel has a pleasant laminate wood-paneled lobby with an overstuffed couch and a circular glass coffee table, but there's little other gathering space for guests (apart from the adjacent Jean-Georges restaurants). Past guests have complained that the hotel feels more like a luxury condo building than an actual hotel. This might suit the largely business clientele just fine, but there are other more classic hotels in the immediate area: Mandarin Oriental, New York, JW Marriott Essex House New York, and the Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park.

The Trump International Hotel and Tower is on Columbus Circle at the southwestern corner of Central Park. It's also just across the circle from the Time Warner Center, a huge, two-tower complex that's also home to CNN, residential condos, and an upscale shopping mall on the lower levels, called The Shops at Columbus Circle. The building has a Whole Foods Market in the basement, convenient for putting together a picnic in Central Park. There are also numerous high-end clothing and accessory boutiques; plus two of the city's best (and most expensive) restaurants: Thomas Keller's Per Se and Masayoshi Takayama's Masa. Columbus Circle station is a major transit hub, with several subway lines running through it, making the entire city easy accessible by train. Lincoln Center, the city's enormous performing arts complex, is a three-minute walk away. The Broadway Theater District begins just six blocks south, about a 10-minute walk. The Museum of Modern Art is about a 15-minute walk. Barney's New York department store and designer shops on Fifth and Madison Avenues are about a 17-minute walk. Farther downtown, Times Square is about an 18-minute stroll from the hotel. New York City has three nearby airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark (in New Jersey). Getting into town from JFK or LaGuardia is usually more convenient than from Newark, but travel times are heavily dependent on the time of day and traffic conditions. From JFK, a taxi takes around an hour in average conditions. From LaGuardia, a metered cab ride can take 30 minutes if traffic is light, three times that if it's bad. Rides from Newark can take more than 90 minutes.

The rooms feature rich woods, velvet curtains, crystal chandeliers in the dining areas, and a color scheme incorporating shades of purple, blue, and cream. However, some of the furnishings are worn and look better (and occasionally, cleaner) in photos than they do in real life. All rooms include free Wi-Fi, minibar, air-conditioning, electronic safe, 55-inch flat-screen TV, a Blu-ray player, and most have a kitchenette with a sink, microwave, dishwasher, and mini-fridge. Suites upgrade to full kitchens with Sub-Zero appliances. Red-flecked marble bathrooms feature gold fixtures and accents -- right down to the toilet paper holder. Shower/tub combos feature jets, but are covered by fabric shower curtains. Hairdyers and Gilchrist & Soames bath products are provided. Floor-to-ceiling windows can showcase exceptional Central Park views, but some rooms on lower floors have less stellar views of the city. 

Features are mostly focused on demanding business travelers. Dining is truly the highlight, since the Trump International is to two renowned restaurants run by Michelin-star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Jean-Georges is the more formal of the two, one of the city's most popular hot spots, and jackets are required. Nougatine is less formal, but nearly as ambitious. Dining is available on a seasonal terrace. Note that breakfast isn't included in room rates and there are hours when neither restaurant is open. However, room service is available 24 hours.There's a modern fitness center with a variety of TechnoGym cardio equipment and strength-training machines. The room overlooks a heated indoor lap pool that's flanked by lounge chairs. The Trump Spa provides relaxation and beauty services. Business travelers will appreciate a business center with a boardroom table and meeting spaces with catering. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Parking is available for an additional charge. The hotel offers extra services and amenities for kids and pets with its Trump Kids and Trump Pets programs.