It was Sunday, and all flights at JFK were delayed or cancelled. Rather than wait around for a flight that would never materialize, I decided to rebook it for the next day and spend the night in Manhattan. I first tried the Sofitel but didn't like the price they were charging. Then I remembered reading about the Library in a travel magazine -- and what a find it turned out to be.
First, it's a bargain. Really. (Ok -- I was upgraded to a queen double. But even a regular double would have been worth every penny.) Because I wasn't there to sightsee, I spent a lot of time at the hotel. I had their complimentary wine and cheese while reading the New York Times in their lovely second floor public room, which is also where the continental breakfast is served. (Hard boiled eggs and ham croissants -- very filling. ) And then there was that rooftop deck. The following morning (Monday), it was completely deserted, and I had it all to myself.
What I liked about this hotel is its generosity. Not only do they give you lots of free food (including bottled water in the room -- it's amazing how many so-called great hotels overlook this.) But in addition, they actually invite you to meet up with your friends on the second floor, where they're welcome to have wine and cheese, too. That no doubt results in great word-of-mouth publicity. But what a refreshing change from the attitude of other hotels, which charge you for everything. They also have the American Film Institute's Top 100 movies on DVD, which you can borrow. And check-out is at 1:00!
The floors are themed around the Dewey decimal system. My room, 405, was marked 400.005. (For a moment, I was filled with the familiar panic of not being able to locate a book in my college library stacks.) Floor 4 was dedicated to "Language," and I was in the Middle Eastern room. I was too tired to read any of the books on Middle Eastern subjects -- and I doubt that anyone spends time actually reading the books here -- but somehow, being surrounded by good books made the hotel feel peaceful.
Even though I was grumpy about having to reschedule my flight, my stay at the Library restored my good mood. How many hotels can do that, and at such a reasonable cost? I will most certainly be back.
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