And now for something a little different
This is a boutique hotel, located across from the NYPL, and around the corner from Bryant Park. While being located on a busy street, the entrance is on a small lane (Library Way?) which makes for quiet entry and exit. When you first walk in, you are not sure what to do. There is no front desk, but one natural gravitates towards a cluster of what look like empty computer stations, where seconds later a young man greeted us. Oddly, there don't seem to be any women working at this hotel! We had arrived a few hours before check-in and the room wasn't ready but they stored our luggage (in what turned out to be not a very secure location by the front door but with no mishaps), and we went to explore NYC. 
The room was then ready when they said it would be, and once again we weren't really sure about things once we got in the room. It's all very understated. We had a suite with a nice master bedroom, and small living room with a kitchenette that took us a moment to find (sleekly hidden behind cupboard doors). The LR room has an understated wabi sabi feel too it that might have been better in concept as the linen on the custom couch was quite soiled. But it folded out (with some effort) to a fabulous sleep sofa for the kids. It was as comfortable and plush as any regular king size bed, which is saying alot for a sofa bed! Behind the couch was a low table with rolling chairs. Again we were unsure about the concept but it turned out to be an excellent dining table/desk. Best of all the unit had a balcony. A balcony in the middle of NYC! It took us a while to figure out the lighting (the master switch doesn't mean master bedroom, it means universal as in turning all lighting on and off), which was a little underdone. Every room could have used more light. A lot more light. The bathroom is done in very dark slate, and with barely any light, it felt very cave light. 
The next day we were dying for some wine without a liquor store in a 4 block radius, which was easily solved by a chat with one of the many metrosexual men milling about who quickly supplied us with ample portions. There is a Panera and many little eateries, as well as the Grand Central Station locale, close by.
So while this hotel makes you realize you aren't really as cool as you think you are, it truly is a fabulous little find. The service is quick and friendly even if you don't know how to access it - help always seemed to find us. The location is just fantastic. As previously mentioned, they could do with some upgrades, particularly to soft surfaces (really that couch made me think of the light they use on the hotel makeover shows to illuminate the gross stuff you don't want to know about), and improve lighting. They also cheaped out on the floors a little bit, installing a plastic laminate in the hotel rooms and a poorly laid carpet in hallways. It would be nice if these were upgraded. But the spacious lay-out and good value for $, would make me go back. Even if I did have to sit on a towel.