The Ritz Hotel in New York City

The Ritz is on 59th Street, also known as Central Park South because it forms the southern border of Central Park. It's a busy street during the day, as the corporate skyscrapers, prominent hotels, Fifth Avenue shopping, and the park assure ample foot traffic (to say nothing of equine traffic - 59th is a major horse-carriage-ride launching point). But since the main nearby tourist attraction, the park, empties after dark, the area quiets down at night.

If you're in town primarily to see Times Square and catch a few Broadway shows, you might prefer a hotel closer to the action. Although nothing in midtown is very far, the epicenter of Times Square (at 42nd and Broadway) and most Broadway theaters are a good half-mile away. On the other hand, the Ritz would be an excellent option for those seeking to avoid the chaos of Times Square while still remaining within walking distance of the most tourist haunts.

And besides, the immediate area boasts plenty of attractions. Carnegie Hall is two blocks south. Lincoln Center, on the Upper West Side, is 10 to 15 minutes away by foot, three to five by cab. And then, of course, the two biggest draws of all: the park to the north and Fifth Avenue - home to Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Tiffany, and dozens of others - one block east.

With the exception of a few enormous - and enormously priced - suites, the Ritz's standard rooms range from 425 to 450 square feet, which is large for New York, but not quite as big as those at some other upscale hotels (the Four Seasons comes to mind). Layouts and sizes of three different types of basic rooms - superior, deluxe, and parkview - are basically identical. The difference is the view. Superior rooms are ninth floor and below; Deluxe are 10th and above. Parkviews are deluxe rooms and suites with - shocker - views of Central Park; they include telescopes and bird-watching manuals. (Try to catch a glimpse of Pale Male, the famous red-tailed hawk who lives on Fifth Avenue.)

Beds are what you'd expect from a Ritz: a plush but firm Sealy Posturepedic "Ritz-Carlton Sleep Experience" mattress, 400-thread-count Fili Casa Egyptian cotton sheets, and Pacific Coast-brand feather mattress cover and pillows, which have received the American Down & Feather Council's Seal of Approval, for those keeping track. Bathrooms are spacious and include the soaking tub, the Asprey bath products, and a shower with Niagara-like water pressure.

• In addition to the king-size bed, there's an extra-stuffed chair
• Desk with a padded chair, and plenty of room to maneuver
• The windows are thick, and 59th Street is relatively quiet at night
• 27-inch flat-screen TVs with cabel and HBO
• DVD player with movie collection, including every Oscar winner for Best Picture and a selection of films with Central Park scenes
• Guestrooms have CD players and a CD collection, while suites have a Bang & Olufsen stereo system
• Silk-and-cotton terry bathrobes ("Made especially for the Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park") and super-soft 100% cotton towels ("Made especially for the Ritz-Carlton") round out the cushiness