Location, Location and a 3.5 Rating (actually)
I leave close enough to Manhattan that it is a 90 minute train ride...and far enough away that the ride can seem very long at 1 am so... I often stay overnight in the City and often at 6 Columbus. The reason? It's a great location, it has some nice staff members and the adjoining restaurant, Blue Ribbon Sushi is overpriced but has solid sushi--and is deservedly favour (oddly) for fried chicken. They have a good saki selection, creative cocktails and... did I mention the Marrow Fried Rice? Fantastic. Most important, the restaurant closes relatively late--around 2 am, so it is a good post-show option. 
The rooms are spartan (watch out for the corners of those beds!), with Frette-style comforters and a revived mod-style. The mini-bar is small but diverse, though I have to warn that room service is limited, in both selections and service times (for those desperate, there is a Starbucks next door if you run into am problems). Also next door is Columbus Circle and of course Central Park. If you want a more upscale experience a drink at a time, go to Bar Masa or the Mandarin Oriental. THere's also jazz at Lincoln Center... in short, if you're looking for activities, research Columbus Circle because that has lots of possibilities, many iconic NY, and it is right across the street. 
Downsides: The decor and its concept is not to my taste, though I don't think it is wretched. The room service is, as I mentioned, spotty, the lighting is good for an orgy but bad for practical things like getting dressed for an am meeting etc. ALSO: do NOT stay at this hotel on New Year's Eve. It is a terrible choice because 1) their restaurant/bar/social scene shuts down for a staff party at around 8 and all the surrounding scenes are in hotels for the most part and around New Year's they won't let in those who are not guests of the respective hotels. The result? You're out in the cold, no place for a drink at 11:30 on NY Eve. Just say no.
But, on the whole, this is a good value, good location, reasonable restaurant. It's not going to have the high service profile that caters to your whims like other places (go to the Mandarin for that), but it is a great choice if you're stopping in, need convenience at a good price.