An affordable oasis on Manhattan's Upper West Side, the Marrakech Hotel features Moroccan decor and a location that is pure New York. The lobby evokes a faraway locale, with colorful rounded ottomans around low tables and a mural of Morocco on the wall. The hotel is just a half-mile west of Central Park, or you can walk 5 minutes in the other direction to Riverside Park, which features a promenade along the Hudson River.
Explore eons-old treasures from around the world--and beyond--at the American Museum of Natural History, 1.5 miles from the hotel. Or cultivate your mind at a bargain specialty bookstore, such as Book Culture or Bank Street Book Store (for kids' books), both a half-mile from the Marrakech. Visiting Columbia University? The campus is a mere half-mile north. A subway station right outside the hotel makes it easy to reach destinations farther afield, including Times Square and the Theater District, 3 miles south.
Back at the Marrakech, check in with friends near and far via complimentary wireless Internet access, available throughout the hotel. Unwind with an exotic cocktail--perhaps the Starlight Sandstorm or Camel Cooler--in the intimate Kazbar lobby lounge. For a perk-up, hit the Starbucks adjacent to the hotel. The onsite Sookk Restaurant is a popular choice for Thai cuisine, reasonably priced. More than 50 other eateries are within 5 blocks of the Marrakech. If it's nightlife you're after, take a 10-minute cab ride to the legendary El Morocco, where you can dance the night away. Or soak up some live jazz at the historic Lenox Lounge, a Harlem landmark also 10 minutes by cab.
After a night on the town, your Mediterranean-decor Hotel Rooms--accessible via stairs--is a welcome retreat. Snuggle into the down duvet and watch the LCD TV, or plan the next day's adventures via complimentary wireless Internet access. The tile-accented bathroom with massage showerhead, curved shower rod, and Ecco bath products offers a chance to freshen up. In the summertime, you'll appreciate the air conditioning and Moroccan ceiling fan.