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ALONG Manhattan's major avenues are hotels, hotels, hotels. Some are great in name, quality and size - or just great in size. But here and there, on the quieter side streets, is the new breed of hotel - the "boutique" variety.
These hosteleries, generally 100 rooms or fewer, are almost always thoroughly refurbished successors of hotels that were in business before World War II - or even World War I; feature carefully themed decor in their apartment-like rooms (often with phones in the baths); plenty of round-the-clock amenities, and a self-conscious, deliberate brand of personal service.
They are also almost incongruously cozy amid the city's roar and bustle. There is no eight-floor ascent before you check in, as at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, or the need to scale marble stairs before presenting yourself like a supplicant at an altar-like desk, as at the Four Seasons on East 57th Street, or the possibility of wondering "Do I rate?" as at the St. Regis.
There are no hallways stretching away to infinity, no subway-like jams on the elevators and no swarms crowding the lobbies while headed to or from business conferences, wedding receptions or awards dinners in one of a dozen ballrooms. Most boutiques don't even have restaurants, though if you're famished, they'll send someone out at any hour to get you relief.
There is, in contrast to the bigs, a homey atmosphere. Lounges are off the lobbies, not part of them, so you can relax in peace outside your room. Also, there is no need to purchase drinks to buy time in a chair. There are often racks of newspapers and magazines or shelves of books. If you must conduct business, some have small meeting rooms that may include computer and fax hookups.
Several are located right in the theater district. Others are nearby. All are within easy reach of the city's primary attractions and thus offer low-key venues for Long Islanders looking to spend a few holiday nights in the city.
Here is a sampling.
The entrance to the 48-room Casablanca at 147 W. 43rd St. is just steps east of Times Square. The interior, however, is artistically in Morocco. A second-floor lounge is, of course, called Rick's Place, and the small patio...