THE FACTS ABOUT CHAMBERS

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Chambers does what boutique hotels do best: it provides friendly, attitude-free service and a dazzling restaurant in stylish, original surroundings. Modern art adorns the public areas while the landings on each of the 14 floors are decorated by a different artist: the eighth floor is all fruit, flowers and hummingbirds; the 12th is virtually pitch-black. Loft-like rooms suit work or play, with large glass desks and flat screen TVs and DVD players. If you're too tired to walk half a block to Fifth Avenue's prime shopping stretch (Prada, Gucci, Tiffany), the in-room telephones have a direct-dial connection to a personal shopper at deluxe department store Henri Bendel. The ace in the hotel's hand is Town, chef Geoffrey Zakarian's restaurant on the lower level, where both the food and the diners are wonderfully rich. Try risotto of escargots with sweet garlic and black truffles, or lamb loin with crispy spaetzle, citrus fruits and olives. SIZE 77 rooms, including five suites. Go for a 56th Street view and a tub BATH PRODUCTS Big bottles of Bumble & Bumble CONTACT Chambers, 15 West 56th Street (00 1 212 974 5656; fax: 974 5657; www.chambers-ahotel.com). Doubles from £173; suites £431