A wonderful hotel ...
We have been to NY many times and stayed in SoHo, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Manhattan, and the Lucerne was one of the best we have stayed in. Our taxi from the airport didn't know it and said "I have never brought people here before ..." so our hearts sank. However, right from the start it was a great experience. The reception staff are friendly and helpful, the cleaning staff are also friendly. The gym was good. We had a room on the 11th floor with views across the street to a typical NY apartment building so felt very much part of the ordinary city life. There was no breakfast but the restaurant next door is very good and offers a 15% to hotel guests. It is in a great location - we walked to shows at the Lincoln Center, it is close to the 79th street subway station and we bought a weekly ticket and used the subway all the time. We could not fault anything about this hotel and would stay again.