Park Plaza Hotel

Brick walls, cleanlined wood furniture, antiques and luscious white cotton bedding give every room at this historic two-story hotel a simple elegance and a distinct arts-and-crafts sensibility. Rooms lining Park Ave share a thin balcony, each with a private entrance and a few wicker chairs hidden from the street by hanging ferns, are well worth the extra money. Bring up a bottle of wine and cheese, and watch the Park Ave activity. Rates include homebaked muffins, coffee and juice. They do not allow children under five years old (not because they’re snobby, but because of the thin walls – there’s a small building guarantee that every guest will hear a child’s crying).