New York City hotels range from the tacky to the frankly wacky; from world-class luxury to bijoux treasures. In our experience, the visitor treated as a battery-farmed chicken makes for an unhappy bird; so our criteria are character, comfort and value for money, whatever the price category. And remember, the NYCard offers some great hotel bargains.

Pushing the Boat Out ($400 and Over)

Dewey Feathered Sleep ($300-$400)

Medium Plums ($200-$300)

Keeping within Compass ($100-$200)

Piggy Bank Jewels (Below $100 - $100)

Hotel Reservation Assistance

Box Tree
250 E.49th St. (betw. 2nd and 3rd Aves.)
Tel: 212-758-8320, Fax: 212-308-3899

An extravagant little 13-room boutique in two townhouses with Empire décor running to fur throws, gilt and feathers. $200-$400

Elysee
60 E.54th St. (betw. Park and Madison Aves.)
Tel: 212-753-1066, Fax: 212-980-9278

Restored to its 1930s glory, and a friendly place, filled with flowers and vintage furniture. 99 rooms. $300-$400 and over

Inn at Irving Place
56 Irving Pl. (betw. E.17th and E.18th Sts.)
Tel: 212-533-4600, Fax: 212-533-4611

An intimate hotel with just 12 antique-crammed rooms and high-tech amenities like in-room faxes and lap-tops. Personal service and a choice location on one of the city’s prettiest streets. $300-$400 and over

Inn New York City
266 W.71st St. (betw. Broadway and West End Ave.)
Tel: 212-580-1900, Fax: 212-580-4437

Only four suites (each with fully-equipped kitchen): one with a baby grand piano and terrace, one duplex suite with its own private entrance, one with a library and leaded glass skylights, one with a sauna and Victorian doll collection. $300-$400 and over

Kitano NY
66 Park Ave. (at E.38th St.)
Tel: 212-885-7000, Fax: 212-885-7100

You’ll find classic Japanese service and attention to detail here. All 149 rooms except the tatami suite are European-style, but have the deep baths preferred by Asians. $300-$400 and over

Royalton
44 W.44th St. (betw. 5th and 6th Aves.)
Tel: 212-869-4400, Fax: 212-869-8965

Philippe Starck concocted a surreal ocean liner to convey the magazine and show-biz crowd. The 168 rooms boast futon beds, slate fireplaces and round bathtubs. One of your ports of call, even if you’re a woman, has to be the water wall in the lobby-level men’s loo. $300-$400 and over

SoHo Grand
310 W. Broadway (Grand and Canal Sts.)
Tel: 212-965-3000, Fax: 212-965-3244

If the Paramount and Royalton offer “lobby as stage,” this hotel offers it as grandiose SoHo artist studio, with a fire-escape staircase and lamps that hint at easels. Very stylish — right down to the goldfish that the hotel can provide you for company. 369 rooms. $300-$400