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

Helmsley Windsor
100 W.58th St. (at 6th Ave.)
Tel: 212-265-2100 Fax: 212-977-8867

Nothing flashy, no health club or celebrity restaurant. Just large clean rooms and a stack of take-out menus for room service. 240 rooms. $100-$200

Larchmont
27 W.11th St. (betw. 5th and 6th Aves.)

Tel: 212-989-9333 Fax: 212-989-9496

Here is a clean, tidy refuge on one of the prettiest tree-lined West Village streets. The 57 rooms have TV, air-conditioning, telephones and basins, but the bathroom is a friendly stroll down the hall. From below $100-$200

Off SoHo Suites
11 Rivington St. (betw. Chrystie St. and Bowery)
Tel: 212-353-0860 Fax: 212-979-9801

The bright suites with kitchens, phones, air-conditioning and marble baths make this hotel a wonderful value. While a drawback to some, the Lower East Side location is close to some of the city’s funkiest shopping and nightlife. 40 rooms. From below $100-$200

West Side YMCA
5 W.63rd St. (betw. Broadway and Central Park West)
Tel: 212-875-427, Fax: 212-875-1334

With free use of the gym and doubles starting at about $75.00 (shared bath), this is one of the best values in town. 480 rooms, some with private baths. From below $100-$200