SPHC 4: Accommodations

Excelsior Hotel

The Excelsior Hotel, located just across the street from the museum and to the north, offers luxurious accommodations with French-themed decor. Every room features a view of the museum and the Rose Center or of the city itself. Numerous on-site amenities are available, including cell phone rentals from the business center, a fitness club and an entertainment room. The hotel's restaurant, eighty one, was established in 2008 and serves modern American cuisine in a contemporary environment under the guidance of Chef Ed Brown. Just 1,000 feet from the doors to the museum, the Excelsior is also convenient to lots of local restaurants and is just about a mile from landmarks like the Museum of Modern Art and The Russian Tea Room. The Excelsior Hotel 45 W. 81st St. New York, NY 10024 212-362-9200‎ excelsiorhotelny.com

Park 79

Park 79 is located across the street to the west, less than 500 feet from the museum property. The hotel is stylish, with a traditional awning above the door and a white-pillared exterior, but has rates that are quite reasonable for the Upper West Side (starting at $129 for spring 2010). Rooms include park and city views, along with comforting touches like down duvets, high-quality toiletries and complimentary wireless Internet. Standard rooms sleep two; deluxe rooms sleep three, and suites can accommodate up to four with a second, pull-out queen size bed. The hotel's website lists numerous local happenings, most of them within walking distance, which can give you a head start on planning your trip. Park 79 117 W. 79th St. New York, NY 10024 212-787-4900‎ park79.com

Lucerne Hotel

The Lucerne building was completed in 1904, and the hotel has been renovated to offer a comfortable luxury environment in this historical setting. The hotel has 189 rooms at superior, deluxe and suite levels of accommodation, all with amenities like marble baths, full-size work desks, Wolfgang Puck coffee, custom-designed furniture and Temple Spa bath products. On-site amenities include free wireless Internet and in-house spa and fitness facilities. Enjoy a meal at Nice Matin, the Lucerne's French-Mediterranean restaurant, which offers 24-hour room service in addition to regular meals and a delicious brunch on weekends. Lucerne Hotel 201 W. 79th St. New York, NY 10024 212-875-1000‎ thelucernehotel.com

Sohotel

Closer to the Governors Island Ferry location, and reasonably priced, the Sohotel is located directly off historic Bowery Blvd in the heart of the lower east side. The Sohotel offers a wide variety of recently renovated rooms and amenities in a historic building, one that has presided over the Bowery for over two hundred years. The Bowery has experienced a renaissance over the past two decades, and is now thriving in every aspect: be it the world class shops, historic cultural landmarks, delicious eats, or vibrant nightlife.341 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013, (212) 226-1482. thesohotel.com.