95.79% THE LOWELL

New_York USA

European-style townhouse hotel on Manhattan's Upper East Side

ROOMS 70 (33 with open fires) on 17 floors. Chintzy, creamy interiors. Impressive new marble bathrooms with separate showers

FOOD The Post House is a popular, cosy New York steakhouse; breakfast and weekend brunches in The Pembroke Room

SERVICE Umbrellas ready for when it rains; milk and cookies for the kids; staff on hand to stoke in-room fires. Personable general manager in Heiko Kuenstle

FACILITIES Small gym; on-the-ball concierge

COST Doubles from US$596

28 East 63rd Street, New York, USA (00 1 212 838 1400; fax: 319 4230; www.lowellhotel.com)