Articles

Museum Mile High
The Washington Post
April 13, 2003

MUSEUM MILE Rooms for Under $199

To explore the Museum Mile, find a base on the Upper East Side, which stretches from 59th Street north to 110th. While it's easy to spend a fortune in this neighborhood (some of the city's poshest hotels -- including the Pierre, Carlyle, Stanhope and Sherry-Netherland -- are here), we went in search of lodging that won't empty the wallet. Our goal: a room for less than $199 a night. Here are seven spots that fit the bill.

Hotel Wales
With its marble staircase, fireplace and fresh flowers, the lobby of this European-style hotel is an oasis of civility. The guest rooms, while on the small side, are equally inviting, and boast Belgian linens, mahogany furniture and gorgeous oak woodwork.

Bathrooms are non-glitzy but functional, with so-so showers made palatable by Aveda amenities. But the best space in this 86-room, newly renovated hotel is the second-floor common room, where a harpist holds court during breakfast (pastries, fruit, cereal and juices -- a good value at $9), and coffee and tea are served gratis all day. Build some lingering time into your schedule, because when you curl up with a cappuccino by the lace-curtained windows overlooking the neighborhood's chic shops and brownstones, you won't want to leave.

1295 Madison Ave. between 92nd & 93rd streets
800-428-5252 or 212-876-6000, www.waleshotel.com.

Rooms start at $229, but we paid $183 through www.quikbook.com.

Copyright 2003. The Washington Post. Reprinted with permission.

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