traveldk.com

A great midtown location for a budget hotel, renovated with care and some sophistication. Rooms are small but have modern furniture, TV, and Internet access. Those sharing baths have a sink.

A tiny, budget hideaway renovated with taste. The small rooms have been nicely decorated and baths are new. The cherub over the front door remains from the days when this Beaux Arts building was the first home of LIFE magazine.

The quintessential business hotel, the 2,040-room Hilton has a central location, huge ballroom, and extensive meeting facilities. A re-design has transformed the lobby, upgraded rooms, and added a large fitness club and spa.

High-tech heaven, this was New York’s first hotel with T-1 Internet access, plus check-in computers that dispense key cards. Comfortable rooms come with ergonomic workspaces, a PC with DVD/ CD and MS Office applications.

Although run by American Youth Hostels, all ages are welcome to share the clean, safe rooms, with 4 to 12 beds at budget prices. This 628-bed facility offers a coffee bar, cafeteria, and self-service kitchen.

Named for the famous theater next door (see Beacon Theatre), the Beacon is a relaxed, comfortable hotel, with generous rooms with standard decor, and, a big plus, kitchenettes with refrigerators and microwaves.

Although the rates have gone up in recent years, this remains good value in the Theater District. It features a stunning Art Deco lobby and small but well decorated rooms with updated bathrooms. The hotel’s café is a long-time, favorite, inexpensive pre-theater choice.

The Elysée has the warmth of a small inn, serving not only breakfast, but wine and hors d’oeuvres in the evening. Room service is from the legendary Monkey Bar & Restaurant.

A sunny glass-walled lobby leads to this newly constructed, 73-room hotel, with stylish Retro decor and a delightful roof terrace. Indulgent rooms, just seven per floor, even feature bedside controls for the shades. Breakfast, snacks, evening cheese, wine, and champagne are all complimentary.

Popular with the fashion industry, and good value, the Metro has a sophisticated Deco feel and good-sized rooms. Public spaces include a library, rooftop terrace, and spacious dining room.