Style: European style mixed with Hollywood Glam
Scene: Luxury travellers, business travellers, well-travelled little luxies
Spotted in the Lobby: One of the young stars from a hit US TV show.

As my NYC cab made its way along Sixth Avenue during rush hour traffic it was easy to spot my location waiting in the distance. When The Warwick was built in 1926 it was one of the tallest 'skyscrapers' in the city. Long ago it lost this accolade but it still cuts an imposing figure overlooking Sixth Avenue.

As soon as The Luxury Travel Bible was warmly greeted by the doorman of The Warwick under the illuminated canopy and walked into the cool marble lobby the frenzy of the New York streets became a distant memory. Before I knew it, and quicker than a 'New York Minute', I found myself in the calm sanctuary of my corner suite and was able to sit back and relax with a cool drink from the mini-bar.

TLTB's beautiful 'On the Avenue' suite was elegant and offered fantastic views over Sixth Avenue. Despite the noise down on the street below (which you of course have to expect) the room blocked it out and was extremely peaceful. The suite rooms in this luxury hotel are large by New York standards and the vintage Hollywood décor continues the celebration of the Hotel's past with beautiful black and white image of movie starlets and music icons.

Admittedly the bathroom was on the smaller size, but amenities such as Bvlgari products, flat-screen televisions, coffee machines, iPod docking stations and a large, decadent bed make up for this. Regardless of being in the 'city that never sleep' the comfort of the bed in the calming bedroom means anyone will sleep like a baby. There is also Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

The Warwick, New York is a hotel with a serious showbiz history. An impressive roll call of stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Judy Garland, Lucille Ball, Elvis Presley and James Dean have all checked-in, Cary Grant chose to live there for 12 years and when The Beatles made their American debut it was The Warwick that they choose to stay in. Heads of state and celebrities continue to stay at the hotel to this day (one morning TLTB rode the elevator down to the lobby with one of the stars of one top rated US shows).

The story behind the hotel is also deeply rooted in Hollywood. It was commissioned in the 1920's by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst for his love, movie starlet Marion Davies. Built opposite the Ziegfeld Theatre the luxurious hotel quickly became a hit with their Hollywood friends.

But don't for one moment think that this is a hotel resting on its laurels, clinging to the past.

The Warwick recently underwent a major renovation on more than half of its 426-rooms and suites. The stylish makeover successfully celebrates the hotel's glamorous history while moving forward with the demands of modern luxury travellers, especially ones looking for a relaxing escape that is still conveniently close to Manhattan landmarks.

The Warwick's location is one of its biggest charms being centrally located and within easy walking distance to landmarks including Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Central Park and Times Square. TLTB found the front desk staff excellent at providing information and help on the local area to both returning NYC visitors and also to tourists wanting to experience the best of the city for the first time.

When it comes to dining, The Warwick has two rather diverse dining options; Murals on 54 and Randolph's Bar & Lounge.

Murals on 54 offers a modern breakfast and lunch menu and the extensive breakfast buffet certainly did a great job at setting TLTB up for a long day of sightseeing and shopping.

Eating at Murals is almost like getting a head start on your day visiting Manhattan art galleries. Named for the exquisite historic murals painted in 1937 by American artist Dean Cornwell the restaurant was conceived by global design icon Pierre Court.

Such was the beauty of the décor that TLTB's initial plans for a quick breakfast went out the window as such a beautiful restaurant deserves a more leisurely dining experience. Along with my fellow diners, I found myself taking in the beautiful art while reading the morning papers, drinking my coffee and making a couple of return trips back to the delicious buffet.

Across the lobby from Murals sit Rudolphs which oozes the sophistication of a slick cocktail bar from a more glamorous era. As I sat there people watching part of me could imagine Cary Grant ordering a Martini at the bar and Elizabeth Taylor sitting in the corner dripping in her diamonds.  

The bar menu is the perfect solution for a pre-theatre meal - and believe TLTB when we say trying out the Mango Mojito is a must-do! It is also rather nice spot to return to for a nightcap before heading back to that amazingly comfy bed.

It was once good enough for Marilyn, Elvis and Audrey et al and the elegant and charming Warwick Hotel is still good enough for TLTB readers today as an retreat from the fast pace streets of the Big Apple .

Check in: Warwick New York Hotel, 65 West 54th Street, NYC, New York 10019, USA

Ultimate Luxury:  One or two creative cocktails sipped in a corner of the elegant Randolps.

Most Indulgent Moment: Follow in the footsteps of Hollywood Royalty and check into Suite of the Stars (2706) with its   wrap-around terrace and views over Manhatten  - Cary Grant liked it so much he stayed for 12 years

Insider Secrets: The rosebud decor in Randolps is in honour of William Randolph Hearst's nickname for Marion Davies.

Junior Luxies: This is a family friendly hotel and little luxies are welcomed with open arms. The hotel offers the 'New York City Family Vacation Getaway'. For more details click here

Dress code: New York style meets practical tourist comfort

Dent in the platinum:

Luxury Hotels Link: www.warwickhotelny.com