If you've decided the hotels in the Theater District are a bit pricy, or they are booked (most likely), than your second bet is Midtown East

Midtown is notoriously the business and economic center of Manhattan. It contains more shops, restaurants and hotels than any other neighborhood on the island. Including the corporate megaplexes of Rockefeller Center, the Union Nations Building, Grand Central Terminal, Fifth Avenue, and Stuyvesant Town.

Everything! New York has a detailed listing of hotels in this neighborhood, stretching from Times Square east to the river. Hotels in this area include the posh Waldorf-Astoria and Plaza hotels, as well as hundreds of chain hotels.

If your planning on visiting New York on business, or you just want to be more centrally located to the hustle, Midtown is your place to be:

Grand Hyatt Hotel

The Grand Hyatt, once the Commodore Hotel, is a bustiling commercial hotel reminiscent of Las Vegas with waterfalls and a soaring atrium. Glamorous dining and watering holes are visible from the lobby, including the Crystal Fountain and Sun Garden Restaurant, which is cantilevered over East 42nd Stree.
Trumpets serves signature nouvelle American cuisine. The 1,400 rooms are attractive, although some are small, and the hotel is affiliated with a nearby health club, which guests can use for a moderate fee.

New York Helmsley Hotel

Also known as the Harley Hotel, the troubled Helmsley's (Leona & Harry) still own this hotel. The fabulous decor and old-fashioned service in this 788-room property are world-renowned. Room service is available 24 hours a day, and Harry's New York Bar and Mindy's Restaurant offer elegant dining and casual drinking.

The Tudor

This renovated property (once notorious for having the smallest rooms in the city) boasts 300 expanded rooms, each with a marble bath, trouser press, two-line telephones, data ports. Within the hotel are a restaurant, a bar and lounge, meeting rooms, conference center, and a small health club facility.

United Nations Plaza Park Hyatt

28th Floor - 1 UN Plaza
(212)758.1234
(800)228.9000
Located within the UN Plaza building, this contemporary hotel includes 428 rooms, a lounge and restaurant, and a swimming pool and health club with a dazzling view. Complimentary limousine service to Wall Street, the Garment District, and theaters is also available, though the majority of diplomat guests, need only stroll across the street for their day's business appointments.

The Roosevelt Hotel

Built in 1924, this old hotel was prestigous when railroads were the main form of transportation and the location near Grand Central was highly valued. Popular with those doing business nearby, its newly renovated 1,031-soundproof rooms have received a much-needed facelift. The staff is multilingual. A bar and a lobby lounge are located within the hotel.

Hotel Royalton

This hotel's block-long lobby is the setting for an ultra-dramatic space (cognac mahogany and green-gray slate). The front desk is discreetly tucked away, as is the bar, patterned after Hemingway's favorite at the Paris Ritz. The Round Bar is forever full of networking hipsters, and the 167 rooms, many with working fireplaces, are on the cutting edge of modern design and comfort. Amenities include daily newspaper delivery, Kiehl shampoos and bathrobes, and valet parking.

The Algonquin Hotel

Hailing from the newspaper dynasty of the New Yorker, whose offices at 25 West 43rd Street, that opens into the hotel. Today, few places nearby are as comfortable as the lobby, where you can summon a cocktail with the ringing of a bell. Guests find all the comforts and friendliness of a country inn here. (Of the 165 rooms, visiting writers favor Room 306, a suite whose walls are adorned with Playbill Magazine covers.)

Waldorf-Astoria Hotel

You know it by name, this incomparable grande dame has been home to permanent guests such as the Duchess of Windsor and the American representative to the UN, as well as temporary guests like King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, and every US president (including Clinton) since 1931. It was moved here when the Empire State Building rose rose on its former site on Lower Fifth Avenue. Taking up nearly the entire block between Park and Lexington Avenues and East 49th and East 50th Streets, it has almost 1,215 spacious guestrooms and together with the adjacent and slightly more expensive Waldorf Towers, with 118 rooms and 77 suites.

The building has been called one of best on this stretch of Park Avenue. The bas is in proper relation to the surronding buildings, while the unique twin towers are still noteworthy additions to the skyline.
The hotel epitomized the good life of New York in the 1930s, carrying on the tradition of its fashionable predecessor at West 34th Street, The Plaza.

The Plaza Hotel

This hotel, a legend in its own time, has hosted thousands of familiar faces - from Teddy Roosevelt, to the Beatles, to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Solomon R. Guggenheim lived for years in the State Suite surronded by fabulous paintings, and Frank Llyod Wright made this jewel his New York headquarters.

This stylish Edwardian/French pile dating from 1907 is considered an architectural marvel. The decor, size, and location of the 804 rooms vary wildly (resultantly in price as well; in upwards of $400 a night. Many of the lovely high-ceilinged ones are still in top condition, but some face air shafts. Request an outside room - or better still, a park view. The 24-hour room service remains, and so do the flags outside representing countries of important foreign guests. Donald Trump bought the hotel in 1988; his now ex-wife, Ivana, oversaw a major renovation and hired several of New Yorks top hotel personnel, but she has since left.

The Oak Bar and Restaurant is still in its original woody, elegant condition; the Oyster bar still opens sparkling fresh clams and oysters to order; paneled Edwardian Room is still a fashionable spot for dining and dancing. The fabled Palm Court in the lobby is fine and festive, particularly as a choice for high tea.

Hotel Inter-Continental New York

The New York Central railroad built this once named Barclay hotel in a very welcomed place. This luxurious 692-room hotel features prestigous service, and caters to many businessmen and pleasure-seekers alike. With 24-hour room service, concierge, valet service, and a health spa it is a popular choice. Four restaurants abode within the hotel, featuring both American dining, as well as light drinking and fanfare.

New York Marriott East Side

This 34-story hotel designed by Arthur Loomis Harmon, was first major building to reflect the 1916 zoning regulations. It's set-back massing is admirable, and the design became particularly famous as the winner of architectural awards and as the subject of many painting's by Georgia O'Keefe. The hotel's 655 renovated rooms have character but are sometimes cramped. Within the hotel are a coffee shop, the Shelton Grill for more serious dining, and the Champion Sports Bar.

Roger Smith Hotel

All of its 163 rooms and suites have been redecorated and the lobby has been redone with mahogany and free-from bronze sculptures by hotel president/artist. Rooms come with their own coffeemakers, and most rooms on the Conceirge Floor have granite bathrooms with Jacuzzis and personal amenities.

Beekman Tower Hotel

This all suite hotel caters to UN visitors looking for reasonably priced accomodations with fully equipped kitchens. John Mead Howells designed the building in 1928. For a wonderful view of the East River, have a drink in the Top of the Tower.

Pickwick Arms Hotel

If you're a young, unwealty visitor and you must stay in Midtown East, this is your best bet. The 370 redecorated rooms (100 less expensive rooms share baths) in this hotel are popular for their Midtown location; other pluses are a roof garden, a cocktail lounge, and a gourmet deli.

Omni Berkshire Placa

Formely called, The Berkshire, this hotel has become one of the city's best European-style hotels, known for its personal service. Its 1995 $50 million renovation has added new life to the 396 rooms, which now boast faxes, two phone lines, and sitting areas; 44 spacious suites offer further delights.

New York Palace Hotel

Deamed the second tallest hotel, this 55-story Leona Helmsley diamond was built in 1980, and houses some of New York's most elaborate rooms. The 963 guestrooms are spacious, comfortably - if overly - decorated, and regularly updated. In 1994, the royal family of Brunei purchased the hotel, for $202 million. The palace contains no less than four restaurants/bars, and thousands of square feet of space.

Warwick Hotel

Rich in history, this 1926 apartment hotel was publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst's dream. An apartment hotel, one of the biggest, it recently underwent a major renovation and all 424 rooms boast brocade decor, marble bathrooms, two-line phones, and voice mail. A lively outdoor restaurant is present in the hotel area as well.

Shoreham Hotel

Most of the hotels surronding this one are much grander, but this 84-room hostelry's 1994 make-over brought the Modern decor up several notches on the luxury scale. The plus is its excellent location and inexpensive rates. Amenities includ complimentary breakfast and a library.

Wyndam Hotel

This remarkably comfortable hotel is a favorite with stars appearing on Broadway, despite their wealthiness. Although there are over 200 rooms, the atmosphere is that of a small, charming hotel.

Four Seasons Hotel

The tallest in town, this 52-story (plus tower) world-class hotel contains a sparse limestone lobby and a 33-foot onyx ceiling. Its 367 elegant, and spacious (600 square-foot) rooms are considerably cozier and warmer, with Art-Deco influenced decor. Services benefitting from a stay here include 24-hour concierge, views of Central Park, the 5757 restaurant, well-equipped fitness center, and executive business center. If your 120-square-foot-bathroom isn't appealing enough, check into the Four Seasons' $4000-a night Presidential Suite.