North of Midtown, as you proceed north along Fifth Avenue and Central Park; you travel through the Upper East Side. Museums line the streets, and wealthy, uptight New Yorkers stroll from their apartments to their taylors. This area is not filled with hotels, but several of New Yorks more prestigous guests find this neighborhood an escape from Midtown and the hustle.

If you are looking for a nearby hotel to the museums, the high-rise apartments, and the serenity of Central Park, try some of the hotels here on the East Side:

The Pierre

Along with The Plaza, the Waldorf-Astoria, and the Palace; the Pierre caters to long-stay dignataries and boasts a grand-old European style. The hotel offers 202 enormous rooms (with good Central Park views from the upper floors) and vast bathrooms; 24-hour room service; and attentive, multilingual staff; twice-daily room service, and other amentities including a romantic restaurant, Sherry, and afternoon tea.

The Barbizon Hotel

Its richly detailed brickwork and fine interiors have made this once all woman residency, into one of the East sides' better-known buildings. Among its amenities are 12 tower suites, a multilingual staff, a cafe, and an oak-paneled meeting room with a pipe-organ, stained-glass windows, and a fireplace. The Morgan's Hotel Groups purchased this fine old hotel in 1988, and have added a fitness center and an upscale French restaurant.

Mayfair Hotel

Once an apartment house, this European-style hotel is one of the few in the city with 24-hour staffed elevator service. The lobby, decked in marble and antique mahogany; leads to 200 elegantly renovated rooms and suites, many include sitting areas, a working fireplace, and a butler's pantry. Guests are offered an array of soaps, terry robes, and an umbrella on rainy days.

Carlyle Hotel

At 38 stories, this hotel soars above the East side. Each of its 180 rooms are well-decorated and even the public areas seem almost fit for a king and queen. No less than four bars/restaurants are present within the hotel; serving everything from jazz bands during dinner, to elegand dining and dancing in the Carlyle Restaurant.

The Stanhope Hotel

This hotel has become a favorite for musuem goers, as it is across the street from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum Row, and Central Park. The 148 rooms (nearly all suites), decorated in the French style, have such amenities as in-room safes, multiple telephones, room service, and valet parking both 24-hours a day. Limousine service is available to such uptown sights as the Lincoln Center, Theater District, and fine dining.

The Franklin Hotel

Built in 1931, this refurbished 53-room hotel offers high style for the price. The rooms are small but nicely decorated, the service is good, and the buffet breakfast is complimentary. East Side residents often book rooms for their guests because of its prime location.

De Hirsch Residence

Even though it is a residency (low frills) hotel, it is affiliated with with the well-known cultural and community center next door, this lodging tends to attract an interesting international crowd. Men and Women are accomodated in 300 dorm-style rooms on seperate floors with shared bathrooms and kitchens, or in simple private rooms for shorter stays. Guests recieve discounted admission to the cultural center's events. There is a three-night minimum stay of one year with special monthly rates; applications are needed in advance for long-term stay.

Wales Hotel

This small, moderatly priced European-style hotel is ideally located if you plan to spend a lot of time on Museum Mile, shopping on Madison Avenue, or jogging every morning in Central Park. All of the 90 rooms have been recently renovated, boasting large, bright rooms that may face the park.