Four Seasons

Four Seasons, New York City

CrazyAzn23

Designed by überarchitect I. M. Pei in 1993, this modernist tower of honey-hued limestone rises 52 stories, making it the city's tallest hotel and providing hundreds of rooms with a view. As soon as you enter the soaring lobby, with its marble floors and backlit onyx ceiling, you'll immediately know this place is special. From the stellar service, only surpassed by the Ritz-Carlton hotels and Trump International, to the fantastic facilities, including a new, luxurious spa, this hotel is a stunner.

The completely soundproofed guest rooms are among the city's largest, averaging 600 square feet. Each is beautifully furnished in an understated but plush contemporary style and has an entrance foyer, a sitting area, an oversize oval desk with two leather chairs, custom built-ins, coffered ceilings, and massive windows (50% of which boast Central Park views). About two dozen of the priciest rooms also have terraces. The mammoth Florentine marble bathrooms have soaking tubs that fill in 60 seconds, and separate showers with pressure controls. Other special touches include goose-down pillows, Frette-made beds, oversize bath towels, and cushy robes, plus multidisk CD players in suites. But at these prices, why charge extra for Internet access?

Facilities: Restaurant; bar with evening entertainment; lobby lounge for afternoon tea and light fare; 5,000-sq.-ft. spa and fitness center with whirlpool, steam, and sauna; children's program; concierge; courtesy limo; business center with secretarial services; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; babysitting; dry cleaning/laundry service with 1-hr. pressing.