Manhattan's Roosevelt Hotel has occupied an entire block of midtown since 1924. Like any property that's been around nearly 90 years, it needs to be refreshed periodically.
So in August 2012, the Roosevelt completed an expansive, nearly $10 million refurbishment of all rooms and suites, including new carpeting, furniture, fixtures and decor, such as new artwork depicting the hotel when it opened.
Even with HDTVs, iPod docks and Internet wiring, the rooms here still speak to the day of classic hotels, not today's more spartan, contemporary design.
Named after President Theodore Roosevelt, the 1,015-room hotel is the eighth-largest in New York. The 20-story property is the embodiment of classic hotels of the 1920s and 1930s: high-rises making use of a relatively new invention, elevators; ornate design; plush, heavily upholstered furniture; and high ceilings and gilt-edged mirrors. For comparison, think New York's Waldorf-Astoria and the Plaza. This look has made the Roosevelt a Hollywood backdrop for shows such as "Mad Men."
Virtually next door to Grand Central Station, it's convenient to the major theater, cultural and shopping areas as well as Rockefeller Center. The hotel's French marble and limestone facade, an example of Colonial-American style, is an architectural buff's delight. Entering the hotel is like walking into history. Overlooking the main lobby area, as it has since the beginning, is a vintage bronze-cast relief of Roosevelt along with 6-foot-high wall sconces and crystal chandeliers.
A dangling brass pendant clock and original artwork have also survived the nearly nine decades the hotel has been around. The space bustles with hotel guests as well as visitors using it as a meeting spot near transportation and nearby points of interest.
Beyond the usual registration desk, a very busy concierge desk and seven elevators, the highlights of the lobby are very comfy sitting areas (deep, plush chairs and sofas) and the Madison Club Lounge, a terrific lobby bar with stained-glass windows, faux fireplaces and the 31-foot mahogany bar as well as tables for two and four. In addition to drinks it offers an eclectic assortment of bar meals and snacks (outstanding Cuban sandwiches, $18, and turkey burgers, $19).
The Roosevelt Grill, with white-gloved waiters and white linen table settings, is open for breakfast (buffet and some served items) seven days a week. For evening meals, it's open on some holidays, such as Thanksgiving.
The hotel's newest locale is the Vander Bar. Located on a heavily trafficked street heading toward Grand Central, it's a happy-hour spot.
Another popular hangout, open during the warmer months, is the rooftop Mad46. With indoor and outdoor bars and sitting areas, it's a good place to escape street-level noise and congestion and take in the New York skyline.
Mad46 reopened this month and is available for private functions.
The Roosevelt has 30,000 square feet of meetings space for conventions and events, including the 5,696-square-foot Grand Ballroom, which accommodates up to 1,000 attendees and has an adjacent private dining parlor. This triple-tier ballroom has a 27-foot-high, gilded ceiling above arched window and iron-laced balconies. There are 19 smaller rooms that can be combined or divided as required.
With over 1,000 guestrooms, 32 of them suites, the Roosevelt has quite a range of room sizes and prices, from Cozy Queens (read as being somewhat small) to King Deluxe.
The suites are highlighted by the eight-room, 3,900-square-foot Presidential Suite with two bedrooms; a big kitchen; living and dining area; and quite a view from the wrap-around terrace. Visitors in winter months should note that heat goes on automatically when outside temperatures drop below 50 degrees, and that the heating system was not among the upgrades.
A fitness center, gift shop, room service, valet parking, two business centers, an ATM and safe-deposit boxes are available, as well.
While prices for accommodations in the city is never inexpensive, a review of prices for the Roosevelt put them above the norm but far below the most luxurious and modern, trendy places. Prices start at $153 and go to $2,500 per night for the Presidential Suite.
For more information, call (212) 661-9600 or visit www.theroosevelthotel.com.