Westin Times Square

Hotel Information: A smoke-free hotel, Westin New York Times Square opened in 2002 as an instant landmark. It consists of a 45-story, glass tower of bronze, aqua, and purple split by an arc, and an earthtoned, 16-story section. After dark, the arc is lighted and projects a beam into the Manhattan sky.

Amenity highlights: An outpost of former Miami Dolphins' coach Don Shula's steakhouse chain serves signature 48-ounce porterhouse steaks. A bar/lounge with leather and vinyl seating overlooks Eighth Avenue. A health spa includes a fitness center with views of the Hudson River.

Insider tip: Site of Union Army drills during the Civil War, Bryant Park—three blocks from the hotel—offers foot-sore shoppers a green lawn, shade trees, gardens, a carousel, and complimentary wireless Internet access for their laptop computers.

This New York hotel offers 863 nonsmoking guestrooms in a 45-story glass tower and an attached 16-story, earth-toned section containing Executive Club rooms. An arc of frosted glass extends up the tower. Lighted after dark, the arc projects a beam of light into the sky.

Rooms feature Heavenly Beds and Heavenly Baths. All-white Heavenly Beds consist of pillowtop mattresses, 250-thread-count linens, down blankets, down comforters, and hypo-allergenic feather-down pillows. Heavenly Baths include shower/tub combinations with curved curtain rods for extra elbow room, dual showerheads, terry-cloth bathrobes, and oversized bath sheets.

Large desks with ergonomic chairs come with two-line speakerphones and high-speed Internet connections (surcharges). Bedside speakerphones are cordless. Other amenities include upholstered armchairs and televisions offering pay movies and video games (surcharges).

Contemporary decor features a gray-and-black color scheme with satin-finish, stainless-steel accents that includes black furniture, gray walls with abstract art, black-and-gray leather headboards, slate entries and bathrooms, and sliding frosted-glass bathroom doors.

Executive Club room guests receive complimentary bottled water, complimentary access to a fitness center, and access to the exclusive Club Lounge. In the lounge, they're served complimentary Continental breakfast and complimentary hot and cold evening appetizers. The lounge includes a cash bar and complimentary wireless Internet access.

Guests of Spa-Inspired rooms receive complimentary use of the nearby fitness facility, in-room shiatsu massage chairs, and spa-inspired CDs. Aroma air diffusers provide mood-enhancing scents.

Smoking is not permitted in rooms or anywhere else in the hotel.

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