A classic with some glitches
When you're outside the New Yorker Hotel, there's no doubt that you're looking at a piece of history. It's a gorgeous old building. Step inside and you're in a big lobby with a 24/7 "Tick Tock Diner" off to your left and Cooper's Tavern (a more upscale restaurant/lounge) off to your right, just near the check-in desk. The elevators are straight ahead and their gift shop is down a flight of stairs.
There's plenty of seating in the lobby, not all of it comfy, but in line with the character of the building. It could use more plants though.
At check-in (which was fast) I was told I was being given an upgrade to a larger room (who knew I'd booked a small room?). Because I have trouble walking and was using a cane, I asked if the room was near the elevator. The check-in man, who was very nice, told me the room was "not a far walk from the elevator", and up I went. The elevators are divided into two banks, one serving the lower floors and one serving the higher ones, so it was a relatively quick ride to the 19th floor.
After I got off the elevator, a sign pointed me to the left, and I followed the hallway as it twisted and turned until I finally found room 1982, which was one room short of as-far-away-from-the-elevator as i could get. And, really, if this was an upgrade, I hate to think what I might have had otherwise. The room was small. There's no in-room coffee-maker or refrigerator. There's a good-size TV, a comfy queen bed, and a hairdryer that's attached to the bathroom wall, as well as the usual soaps and shampoos. But that's it on the amenities. I had a window, but it was taped so I couldn't open it.
I opted to have dinner at Cooper's Tavern because I was too tired to wander. There's a bar with stools and lounge tables with wooden chairs as you walk in, but since I wanted a soft seat that meant I'd need a booth, so I was seated next to a wall that divided me from everything and everyone else in the restaurant. The lounge TVs were out of my view as well. Good thing I'd brought a book. I ordered Cobb Salad, and paid extra for what turned out to be 3 pieces of shrimp. The salad was so-so. Since I was tucked in a corner, service was also so-so. It felt like I'd been seated in the servant's quarters... nice, but no ambiance and food that wasn't up to NY standards.
i fell asleep early, which turned out to be a Good Thing, because at 5:00 a.m. the next morning, there was pounding on my door with a voice yelling "Get out! Get out! Fire!! Get out". I grabbed my robe, slippers, iPad, and purse and started my journey of walking down 19 flights of stairs (I'd forgotten my cane). There were many others with me in the stairway and thankfully none of them stepped on the hem of my nightgown, which was dragging behind me with every step. It took forever to get to the lobby, but I made it. Once there, the lobby was jammed with people and no where to sit, but (to my great relief) the Tick Tock Diner was open and had a booth for me to sit in from which I could see the activity in the main hotel. I had a cup of coffee and waited it out while firemen came and went. Within an hour or so, we were cleared to go back to our rooms. I never found out where the fire was or even if there WAS a fire.
On my way back to the room, I noticed other hallways jutting off the main hallway I was following. The walls are painted an antique white, with a photo here and there, and brown carpeting covering much of the marble flooring. The public areas could use decor: artwork and plants would do wonders for the ambiance. The brown carpeting was a poor choice, but I won't dwell.
To the hotel's credit, I was given the room for half price to make up for the inconvenience of the 19 flights of stairs... although I had to ask to speak to the manager to get that concession. 
In all, it was an experience, but I doubt I'll be seeking it out again. It's probably worth it to stay here at least once. Hopefully, your stay will be less of a workout than mine.