The Standard, High Line

André Balazs’s lauded West Coast mini-chain arrived in New York in early 2009. Straddling the High Line, the retro 18-story structure has been configured to give each room an exhilarating view, either of the river or a midtown cityscape. Quarters are compact (from 230 square feet) but floor-to-ceiling windows, curving tambour wood paneling (think old-fashioned roll-top desks) and "peekaboo" bathrooms (with Japanese-style tubs or huge showerheads and Kiss My Face products) give a sense of space. Eating and drinking options include a chop house, a beer garden and an exclusive top-floor bar with a massive Jacuzzi and 180-degree views.