Description: The Library Hotel uses the Dewey Decimal System as its theme, with different categories for the different floors. Each room has a subcategory as the theme for the books in the room. There are books in the lobby and second-floor common area. Browsing the books was fun, and I perused many of the books in our room. The library also includes the 100 top films rated by the American Film Institute, which you can borrow and view while at the hotel. The space used to be an office building but now looks very contemporary.
The junior suite was moderately priced for a suite. The Midtown location was central to everything we wanted to see, and it was an easy walk to the theatre district.
We booked a junior suite. We saw a standard room, and the space is not much more than room to walk around the sides and foot of the bed. There is a shelf/desk built into the wall at the foot of the bed. The junior suite, however, had ample space on either side of the bed, a bookshelf with a built-in desk along one wall, a blanket box at the foot of the bed, and an alcove for a small couch, chair, and table. The alcove had windows on three sides, which, from our room, provided a view up and down Madison Avenue and across to the New York Public Library. The bathroom was small but had shelves and a vanity area that allowed us to spread out our things. The bed was a king and very comfortable. Overall, our room was clean, spacious, and well set out. A cute extra in the room was the equipment for making martinis. I particularly liked that the windows open.
Continental breakfast is included. It is served on the second-floor buffet style and has more variety than others we have seen: lots of juices, fresh fruit, cereals, croissants, muffins, bagels, eggs, coffee, tea, and an espresso machine. We had breakfast there almost every day. Some days we filled a plate, left it in the room, went for a run, and then had breakfast upon our return.
In the evening, wine and cheese are served and included as part of the hotel's services.
We also enjoyed the rooftop terrace bar on the 14th floor, which is open to the public. It is divided it into the Writer's Den on one side, leather chairs, bookshelves, and fireplace with an outdoor patio, and on the other is the Poetry Garden, more casual furniture and another outdoor patio, and the bar itself is in the middle. The entire area is not large, but sitting on the outdoor terrace provides a great view of other rooftops in the area, which have such interesting architectural details.
The staff was very helpful and friendly. Staying at the Library Hotel was everything we could want from a more intimate boutique hotel during a week-long stay.
Close