The Library Hotel: An Oasis within New York City
October 3, 2011 at 10:00 am
Filed under Across-the-Board, Hotels, New York, Review
In the middle of the concrete jungle, very close to a New York City landmark and he largest public library in North America lies a gem called the Library Hotel. The Library Hotel is a luxury boutique properties, opened on August 7, 2000. It is a 60-room hotel, located on “Library Way” at Madison Avenue and 41st Street. I had the pleasure of visiting this gem, and I don’t think I can express how much I love this hotel!
I am a native New Yorker and I love this city, and I still find myself discovering new things about the city everyday. I am so happy I discovered this place. Aside from the genuinely courteous staff, I love how the hotel was designed to feel like a private club than a hotel.
The thing I like most about this very unique hotel is its theme! Each of the ten guestroom floors of the Library is dedicated to one of the ten major categories of the Dewey Decimal System including: Social Sciences, Literature, Languages, History, Math & Science, General Knowledge, Technology, Philosophy, The Arts, and Religion. Each of the sixty appointed guestrooms have been individually adorned with a collection of art and books relevant to one distinctive topic within the category of floor it belongs to.
Library Hotel Room Menu
| Third Floor: Social Sciences |
Eighth Floor: Literature |
| 300.006 Law | 800.006 Mystery |
| 300.005 Money | 800.005 Fairy Tales |
| 300.004 World Culture | 800.004 Dramatic Literature |
| 300.003 Economics | 800.003 Poetry |
| 300.002 Political Science | 800.002 Classic Fiction |
| 300.001 Communication | 800.001 Erotic Literature |
Fourth Floor: Language |
Ninth Floor: History |
| 400.006 Ancient Language | 900.006 Biography |
| 400.005 Middle Eastern Language | 900.005 Geography & Travel |
| 400.004 Asian Language | 900.004 Asian History |
| 400.003 Germanic Language | 900.003 Oceanography |
| 400.002 Romance Language | 900.002 Ancient History |
| 400.001 Slavic Language | 900.001 20th Century History |
Fifth Floor: Math and Science |
Tenth Floor: General Knowledge |
| 500.006 Astronomy | 1000.006 New Media |
| 500.005 Dinosaurs | 1000.005 Journalism |
| 500.004 Botany | 1000.004 Museums |
| 500.003 Zoology | 1000.003 Encyclopedic Works |
| 500.002 Geology | 1000.002 Almanacs |
| 500.001 Mathematics | 1000.001 Libraries |
Sixth Floor: Technology |
Eleventh Floor: Philosophy |
| 600.006 Health & Beauty | 1100.006 Love |
| 600.005 Computers | 1100.005 Paranormal |
| 600.004 Medicine | 1100.004 Psychology |
| 600.003 Management | 1100.003 Philosophy |
| 600.002 Manufacturing | 1100.002 Ethics |
| 600.001 Advertising | 1100.001 Logic |
Seventh Floor: The Arts |
Twelfth Floor: Religion |
| 700.006 Fashion Design | 1200.006 Ancient Religion (Mythology) |
| 700.005 Music | 1200.005 Native American Religion |
| 700.004 Photography | 1200.004 Germanic Religion |
| 700.003 Performing Arts | 1200.003 New Age |
| 700.002 Paintings | 1200.002 African Religion |
| 700.001 Architecture | 1200.001 Eastern Religion |
All rates include: Deluxe continental breakfast buffet; cappuccino, coffee, teas, cookies, and fresh fruits during the day; evening wine and cheese reception seven nights a week; a selection of international newspapers, DVDs, CDs, books, and videos; turn-down service with bottled spring water and Belgian chocolates; and passes to nearby fitness center, Mini-bars, DVD, data-port with complimentary high-speed & wireless Internet access, and iHome MP3 Doc / Alarm Clock Radio, and chocolates with quotes from famous authors. They even leave you a card letting you know what the whether will be like the next day.
The hotel’s lobby is wrapped in book-filled mahogany shelves, and the wall behind the reception desk is a floor-to-ceiling faux library card catalog. In addition to a 2nd floor Reading Room that serves refreshments all night there is a lovely Poetry Garden, a rooftop greenhouse sitting room with a terrace, and the cozy Writer’s Den, a mahogany-paneled sitting room featuring overstuffed seating with a working fireplace and its own terrace, are located on the 14th Floor. Spectacular events in this unique space can be customized for any occasion. An Executive Inspiration Board Room with over-sized windows occupies the Penthouse Floor (15th floor).
The Penthouse Bar on the 14th Floor transforms into Bookmarks Lounge at 4 pm, Monday through Saturday. It features signature cocktails to carry on the literary theme such as the Great Gatsby and the Capote. So you can grab a drink, grab a book, go out to the garden, and enjoy views of the New York Public library and New York City. Or, you can sit by the fireplace and relax. Madison & Vine, the hotel’s first floor American Bistro and International Wine Bar serves lunch & dinner.
Henry Kallan, one of New York’s leading “indie” boutique hoteliers, created the Library Hotel, and it was designed by The Stephen B. Jacobs Group. I am in love with this hotel and would recommend it to anyone visiting the city, or anyone in the city who need a break, and just wants to relax in elegance.
The Library rates range from $245 – $769 with corporate rates and promotional rates available upon request. Room configurations include single, full and queen rooms, as well as junior suites.
For reservations, call 212.983.4500 or 877.793.7323.
You can also email reservations@libraryhotel.com
Visit Bookmarks Lounge it is open to the Public!
Cheers,
Mo
Library Hotel
299 Madison Avenue
NY, NY 10017
Phone: 212.983.4500
Fax: 212.499.9099
Photos by Mike Lindwasser and Library Hotel
Dan on 
I love the Penthouse bar on the 14th floor!! I have stayed here before and enjoyed it as much as you guys did. I did find it a little on the expensive side though.