I've stayed in several places in NYC, and this was one of the more famous. However, you don't get much bang for your buck, unless you are in a suite. Nowhere to be found were the robes and complimentary slippers I had read about on the website. The room was very, VERY small, even by NYC standards, but comfortable and pretty to be fair. I was disappointed that the furniture looked worn. There was a huge stain on the only comfortable chair in the room, prompting the question, "What the heck were they trying to get off of there?" The room service was prompt but typically overpriced. Plan to pay $15 for a pot of coffee before tax and tip. Of course, when you are hungover from the previous night's festivities, you'll pay anything, I suppose. The staff was polite and always offering to help. There are better bargains to be had in NYC, but it was a nice treat to stay somewhere so centrally located. Oh, and the Heavenly Bed is just that! It was wonderful to sink into every night.

My understanding is that the $250/night was a special offer. So under normal circumstances, expect to pay more.

New York''s Essex House has been around for awhile. I don''t know how long it has been under the Westin umbrella, but to New Yorkers, this is still the Essex House. It faces Central Park, and is considered to be one of the ritzier hotels in the city. With reason. It was built in the 1930''s in art deco style which you can experience in the confines of the elevators. I was charmed by the presence of a single white orchid in one of the elevator corners. It still has its original rooftop sign, and was previously owned by Mariott, the Nikko hotel chain, and now Westin.

It rises 43 floors above the city, and our room was only on the 6th floor! Hotel was sold out for the weekend, as apologies came to us that an upgrade couldn''t be had. The fluted black marble columns adorn the main lobby where there are portraits of what looks like Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, he with a sports car and she with a dog by her side.

Our room was small by comparison to Westin''s other properties, but it does not leave you for wanting for anything. The bed was queen-sized and offered a wonderful night''s sleep on down acessories. TV, exquisite snack bar with, gulp, macadamia nuts! Two safes for my non-existent jewels; an in-room fax machine, 2 telephones (one in the bathroom, ultimate decadence), a small chest of drawers, and a low armoire in the hallway in addition to the clothes closet which had an iron, ironing board and dry cleaning rates.

Room service available as well as all-night dining menu. Concierge was helpful on a couple of occasions for restaurant recommendations. There is a business center on the premises, however, I did not see cable or DSL computer lines in the room.

The bathroom, although small, had a divine hand held shower, as well as a conventional overhead one. The soaps and bath liquids and lotions were all English and smelled like heaven. Yes, hair dryer and magnifying magnificent mirror. None of the original 1930 fixtures here, with the exception perhaps being the shower and bath knobs. They have restaurants on the premises, including the famed Ducasse, and Café Botanika which appeared quite busy on Friday night. I recommend this only to the affluent and business traveler on an expense account. You are minutes away from quite a few of Manhattan''s landmarks; Carnegie Hall is within a stone''s throw.

This is a Westin hotel, so you get the full Starwood Preferred Guest privileges. The hotel was recently renovated, and everything is sparkling. Central Park is across the street, and Times Square and Rockefellar Center are only a short walk. I stayed in a Junior Suite, which is basically a generously sized L-shaped room with a sofa and armchair. I had a small walk-in closet. The bathroom had a separate bath and shower.

Beautiful room. Directly across from Central Park. Just renovated so everything was new. Very convenient address for walking to museaums and Broadway shows. Lovely views of the park with horse drawn carriages directly across from us. Very romantic at night.