Unusual New York Hotels

Located near the New York Public Library, the Library Hotel was designed with the Dewey Decimal System in mind. The Dewey Decimal System has 10 categories, and each floor of the Library Hotel is themed after a category, like Science, Religion or Math. Each room contains shelves of books from the hotel's extensive 6,000-book collection. This hotel is any literature nerd's dream.

299 Madison Ave. and E 41st St.
Manhattan, New York, New York 10017
(212) 983-4500

Near Times Square is a gorgeous hotel designed after the 1942 classic movie, "Casablanca." The Casablanca Hotel has the same exotic Moroccan feel as the movie, and you almost expect Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman to walk through the door. Like in the movie, you can dine at Rick's Cafe for a complimentary breakfast and the Blue Parrot is a courtyard where you can drink alfresco. Overall, the hotel offers a quiet escape from the hustle of Times Square

147 W. 43rd St.
New York, New York 10036
(212) 869-1212

At the Pod Hotel, you stay in a "pod." No, not like in the matrix. A pod is more like an upscale cruise ship room with a circular window and bunk beds. The hotel has modern decor from a green reception desk to individual flat screen television, but it brings to mind a pricey hostel, with its travel-size sinks, economical use of space and shared bathrooms.

230 E. 51st St.
New York, New York 10022
(800) 742-5945

Have you ever seen a hotel on stilts? That is almost what the Standard Hotel looks like as it as it elevates itself over the New York High Line. One thing you would not necessarily expect from a stilted hotel (but you might expect from a hotel in the meatpacking district) is a definite sexual undertone. The hotel originally invoked controversy as guests of the hotel repeatedly flashed the metro passengers below with the encouragement of the management.

848 Washington St. and W 13th St.
Manhattan, New York, New York 10014
(212) 645-4646