New hotels make autumn in N.Y. even better

When the weather turns crisp and cool here, I always start to think about how nice it would be to be in New York City. This is probably due to childhood memories of being whisked off to the Big City for two days each November to parade around with my Mom while my Dad was tied up in meetings.

We'd walk so much I'd get blisters, but I didn't care. I was too busy drinking in the smell of fire-roasted chestnuts, the ladies in furs and high heels and the golden light pouring out of store windows as the sun went down at 4 p.m. I loved the sounds of horns honking, hustling for cabs and watching the cold wind whip papers high up in the air between the buildings.

These days, even though most of my frequent trips to the Big City are full of meetings and fast dashes to and from the airport, I still get excited at the thought of a fall trip there. And I always try to stay somewhere new and interesting. Luckily, there's a whole slew of small new hotels to choose from in Manhattan, which means finding a free room is not as hard as it has been in recent years.

Here are a few of my recent finds:

One of the East Side's best-kept secrets is the four-star Benjamin Hotel, an intimate and sophisticated property on East 50th Street and Lexington Avenue (near the Waldorf). A recent $30 million renovation included the installation of in-room high-speed Internet access and television Web browsers, as well as the restoration of details that highlight the original design of its famed architect, Emery Roth. Rates start around $300; (212) 715-2500; http://www.thebenjamin.com.

While they are too big to fall into the boutique category, Manhattan's three new W Hotels have successfully created a boutique-like air and feel, with hip lobby bars, Aveda in-room amenities and au courant room-service menus. The music piped into all public areas has a beat you can dance to. Since many of the rooms are unusually small, plan to spend most of your nonsleeping time in the see-and-be-seen public areas. Rooms start at $200-$300; 541 Lexington Ave., (212) 755-1200; 130-120 East 39 St., (212) 685-1100; and 201 Park Ave. South (opening later this month) (212) 253-9119, http://www.whotels.com.

While boutique hotels are known for their stylish, small rooms, if you'd like a little more space, try the smart new Phillips Club Hotel on the Upper West Side near Lincoln Center. Only apartment-like junior suites and one-bedroom suites are offered, each with a kitchen. You'll pay for the extra space, though -- rooms start at $420; 155 West 66 St., (212)835-8800, http://www.phillipsclub.com.

Speaking of big rooms (and lower rates), the new Bentley Hotel (a converted office building) offers larger rooms with equally expansive views of the East River. All rates (from $140 for a standard room to $175 for a suite) include breakfast; 500 East 62 St., (212) 644-6000, http://www.nycityhotels.net.

Last month Ian Schrager (known for his popular Paramount and Royalton hotels) opened the new 1000-room "cheap chic" Hudson Hotel, offering rooms starting at an incredible $100 per night (deluxe suites run $425). But it's not the rooms that you come for (which are t-tiny), it's the hotel's public space, private outdoor garden, and state of the art fitness and spa facilities, not to mention its great midtown location in a former television studio. 356 West 58th St., (212) 554-6000.

If you prefer more of a downtown feel, pack your black outfits and check into the cool SoHo Grand, with its industrial-chic iron and glass lobby and smallish, but cozy, rooms. (Since the hotel is owned by pet product giant Hartz Mountain, you can request a goldfish to keep you company if you are feeling lonely.) Or, try its just-opened Silicon Alley sister hotel, the Tribeca Grand. Although its exterior is drab, its interior should wow you. Even though rates at both hotels start at a pricey $350, they are frequently sold out. SoHo Grand: 310 West Broadway between Grand and Canal streets; (212) 965-3000, http://www.sohogrand.com. Tribeca Grand: 2 Avenue of the Americas, (212) 519-6600, http://www.tribecagrand.com.

Dylan, one of New York's newest boutique hotels, is located in the former Chemist's Club Building on East 41 St. near Grand Central Terminal. With 11-foot ceilings, the guest rooms feel more spacious than the average Manhattan hotel room. All rooms come with CD/DVD players, and there is a 1,000-title library to choose from.Promotional rates of $295 are available. (212) 338-0500, http://www.dylanhotel.com.

Then there's the elegant, European-style Avalon Hotel on East 32nd Street. Think dark wood, low light and a club-like feel. The hotel's 20 rooms and 80 suites all come with the hotel's patented Body Pillow, Egyptian cotton sheets, Italian marble bathrooms and Frette velour bathrobes. Plus, you get a free continental breakfast for rates starting in the $200 to $300 range; (888) 442-8256; http://www.theavalonny.com.

This column also appeared in the Atlanta Business Chronicle

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McGinnis manages The Ticket Portal, a free e-mail newsletter and Internet site for Atlanta-based frequent travelers at http://www.travelskills.com.

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