The Library Hotel is one of New York’s most charming hotels, taking inspiration from the nearby New York Public Library and its academic neighbourhood. What could be better than a library offering a wine and cheese evening, a buzzing rooftop cocktail bar and a comfy bed to rest your head while reading a classic?
Located on Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, the Library Hotel is ideally placed for exploring the city and is close to Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, Times Square and of course, just one block away from the New York Public Library.
The Lobby is ever so inviting with rows of mahogany bookshelves, cosy seating areas and warm, welcoming staff. Before getting settled into our room, we visited the Reading Room on the second floor, where hotel guests can help themselves to complimentary teas, freshly-brewed coffee, cookies and fresh fruit at any time, day or night. There are over 1000 books to inspire you, daily newspapers and delicious roasted hazelnut coffee to make you feel at home.
On the rooftop is the Writer’s Den with a roaring open fire, a tranquil greenhouse and the Poetry Garden, offering great views over the city. Madison & Vine, the hotel’s ground floor restaurant, serves American bistro classics and weekend brunch, with a focus on good wines.
The Library Hotel cleverly references the Dewey Decimal System and each of the ten guest room floors reflect one of the ten categories. We stayed on the Social Sciences third floor in a Deluxe room – Money 300.005. Designed in a light palette of cream and beige with dark mahogany highlights, our room was cosy and reasonably sized.
The room is individually finished with its own unique collection of books and art, based on the theme of money. Room features include free wifi, an iHome radio alarm clock with mp3 player, a flat screen Cable TV and a DVD player with access to the DVD Library of the American Film Institute’s top 100 films of the 20th century.
The bathroom was a modest size and included a low bathtub with shower, plenty of large towels and face cloths, full bathroom amenities by Gilchrist & Soames, bathrobes and slippers.
At evening turndown, we were brought complimentary bottles of mineral water, next day’s weather cards and cute chocolates. The queen-size bed was so comfortable that after our afternoon on the Sex and the City Hotspots Bus Tour (conveniently finishing close to the hotel), we couldn’t resist taking a long post-Cosmopolitan and cupcakes nap.
Evenings at the Library Hotel are a social affair with a complimentary Wine and Cheese evening for hotel guests in the Reading Room, serving Prosecco, wines and American and French cheeses with crackers and crudités. The Writer’s Den and Poetry Garden are transformed into the stylish, lively Bookmarks Lounge. Stepping out of the elevator doors, we were amazed at how busy and popular the rooftop lounge was, filled with a well-heeled, after-work crowd sipping literary themed cocktails.
In the morning, we enjoyed an excellent complimentary Continental breakfast, served in the Reading Room. There was a generous, high quality buffet including boiled eggs, bagels, pastries, muffins, hot oatmeal, cereals, yogurt, juices, tea, freshly-brewed coffee, espresso and cappuccino. It provided a perfect start to the day and the breakfast staff were so friendly, attentive and chirpy.
While there isn’t a fitness room or spa, the Library Hotel even has your well-being taken care of with complimentary access to New York Sports Clubs throughout Manhattan. Although, surely walking the length of Manhattan during the day is enough exercise to burn off those delicious breakfast muffins!
The Library Hotel is one of the most homely, welcoming hotels I’ve visited, where I’ve wanted to spend as much time in the public areas as my room. The complimentary breakfast, wine and cheese and 24-hour hot drinks are an excellent touch and really make the stay more comfortable and affordable. Visiting a library has never been so much fun!
Rooms start from $200 (£129 approx.) per night, including breakfast. For more information and booking, visit: www.libraryhotel.com
Photos by Chérie City and Library Hotel
Chérie City was a guest of Library Hotel