The Ritz-Carlton sits in front of Times Square, with Central Park as its backyard
The location
With Central Park as your front-yard, Time Warner Center a few blocks west, and Times Square just behind you, this is the ideal balance between the classy elegance of Uptown and the busy corporate world of Midtown. You're also in easy walking distance of MoMA and flagship Fifth Avenue stores such as Tiffany and Bergdorf Goodman.
The business draw
No stone is left unturned to make visiting executives feel at home. Every public space has Wi-Fi access and four modern meeting rooms have videoconferencing and audio visual networking facilities. Foreign guests will appreciate the multi-lingual concierges, and who doesn't enjoy a chauffeur-driven Bentley ride to their meeting in Midtown?
The business drawback
The hotel's refined, Old World atmosphere - antique crystal chandeliers, wood-paneled walls - lacks the chic modern polish of most contemporary business hotels. Bankers and brokers may also find the distance to Wall Street, more than 60 blocks south, a hassle.
The facilities
Guests can rejuvenate in the small La Prairie Spa (one of only two outside Switzerland); enlist a personal trainer at the Fitness Center, and call up a Technology Butler if they have problems with their laptops or the multi-line cordless phones in their rooms.
Other guests
A sophisticated, older crowd attracted as much by the Ritz brand as the location. Travellers with kids are drawn to the proximity of the park.
The rooms
The 260 rooms, including 49 suites, vary from the cosy 425sq ft Deluxe Park View Rooms which come with a tabletop telescope, king-size bed and marble bath, to the lavish 1,150sq ft Ritz-Carlton Suite which has its own dining room. Expect 400-thread count linens on all the beds, Frédéric Fekkai bath amenities and mod-cons such as 27-inch Sony flat-screen TVs and DVDs.
The food
Under renovation and set to open in late 2007 is flagship restaurant BLT Market, helmed by chef Laurent Tourondel. In the meantime the lobby Star Bar has a superb modern American menu in the evenings and elegant high-tea with harp and piano music in the afternoon. The second-floor Club Lounge for suite residents serves complimentary sushi.
The service
Desk staff pre-call to inquire about transportation to the hotel, and also pre-register frequent guests meaning they can go directly to their favorite room on arrival. Baggage staff offer a complimentary packing and unpacking service.
The bottom line
Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park South, 50 Central Park South New York, NY (00 1 212 521 6058)
www.ritzcarlton.com
Doubles from US$595 (£294); Suites from US$995 (£492)
The Four Seasons
The imperious columned lobby at the Four Seasons is a hot post-work drink scene for Manhattan's moguls
The location
The I.M. Pei-designed 52-story hotel towers over Midtown's premier shopping and business district between Park Avenue and Madison. You're only three blocks from Central Park but the hotel is a star attraction in its own right.
The business draw
A slate of design restaurants and bars in its imperious columned lobby have become the hottest power breakfast and post-work drink scene for Manhattan's moguls. They conduct negotiations in the high-ceiling, glass-wall space of modern-American restaurant 57, and seal deals in celebrity chef Joël Robuchon's intimate French-Asian inspired restaurant L'Atelier, with its sweeping open-plan kitchen and red-black banquettes.
The business drawback
Will the presence of so many powerful people detract you from the job at hand?
Facilities
There are no less than eleven private boardrooms and conference spaces in the hotel, from the two 10-person Executive Meeting Suites on the fifth floor (one with a gorgeous city-view terrace), to the sprawling 190-person Cosmopolitan Suite above the Lobby, with its 12-foot high ceilings, backlit onyx panels and light beech-wood walls.
Other guests
Amex-carrying Armani-clad tycoons and a large smattering of movie stars and supermodels, along with those who like to be seen with them.
The rooms
Of the 368 rooms and suites try to get one of the 20 that come with fully-furnished terraces with Central Park views - perfect to intimidate business rivals you bring round. Crisp, earth brown interiors all have light wood walls, black leather armchairs, plasma screen TVs, and marble bathrooms with deep-soak tubs that fill up in 60 seconds.
The food
Sublime fusion dishes such as roast Japanese hanger steak or quail stuffed with foie gras at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon have set new standards in French-Asian cuisine, although make sure your expense account can cover it. Start the day with a Bloody Mary and "from the farm" eggs Benedict among the power breakfasters at 57.
The service
From doormen who always seem to know your name, to multi-lingual concierges who'll get you last-minute tickets to Jazz at Lincoln Center, it's among the best in the city. A complimentary Rolls-Royce is also on call to whisk you to meetings.
The bottom line
Four Seasons Hotel New York, 57 East 57th Street, New York, NY, 10022 (00 1 212 758 5700).
www.fourseasons.com
Doubles from US$595 (£294); Suites from US$1,950 (£964)
The Gansevoort
Models-in-waiting waitresses eagerly recommend their favorite cocktails at the Gansevoort's G Spa bar
The location
On a cobbled street in the uber-trendy Meatpacking District just north of the West Village, this sleek, glassy 14-story hotel overlooking the Hudson River caters to the cutting edge of the fashion, advertising and new media worlds.
The business draw
Perfect for the younger executive here for serious business but who might like to conduct it from a W-Fi accessible roof-top swimming pool next to a sunbathing model.
The business drawback
Although the rooms are sound-proofed, the scene on Hudson Street below gets loud and crowded at night with hooting stretch limos and raucous designer-clad revellers entering and leaving local restaurants and clubs such as Pastis, Spice Market and SoHo House.
Facilities
You get Wi-Fi access in every part of the hotel, including roof-deck cocktail bar Plunge, with its 45ft-long swimming pool. Multi-level indoor-outdoor Japanese restaurant-bar Ono attracts the scene crowd at street level, while the ultra-chic Gansevoort Spa & Lounge is a spa by day and bar by night. For corporate functions there's the panoramic Loft space on the roof-top, and two boardrooms below for executive meetings.
Other guests
Young, rich, fashionable professionals as well as various bratty celebrities.
The rooms
Done in muted grey and brown tones the 187 rooms are immaculately modern, with huge light-filled windows, mirrored walls, stainless steel basins and a single orchid in a vase on display. Amenities include 400-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, mod-cons such as cordless phones and plasma TVs, and soundproof windows to keep out the street noise.
The food
Japanese Robatayaki barbecue and succulent fresh sushi is on offer at Ono, while more traditional modern American meals and bar food is on the menu at Plunge.
The service
Surprisingly good given this is the ultimate style hotel. Friendly concierges and doormen are eager to give you tips on neighborhood bars and restaurants, and models-in-waiting waitresses eagerly recommend their favorite cocktails at the G Spa.
Bottom line
Hotel Gansevoort, 18 Ninth Ave, New York, NY (00 1 212 206 6700).
www.hotelgansevoort.com
Doubles from US$455 (£225); Suites from US$725 (£358)
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk
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