HotelChatter

The tall shelves lined with books along the wall function more art than reading material; the tomes have special covers so that the spines create pictures of faces. You'll see black-and-white mugs of Emily Dickinson, Alfred Hitchcock, Studs Terkel and Tina Fey staring back at you. According to Michael Lyman, director of sales and marketing at theWit, the famous faces were chosen for their wit—get it?—showing self-expression and individualism that goes against the status quo. "These wits help define society and push it forward," he says, pointing to how Lincoln opened doors to equality while Joan Rivers opened doors to being crazy in a good way. It's a conversation starter, he says.

"It's my favorite space in the hotel," Lyman says. "It's inviting. It's a calming space." And while the peaceful spot lends itself to to being a reading parlor, it's also a meeting place and popular reception area. People wander in from restaurant Cibo Matto with cocktails, have business meetings there or just hang out to do some people-watching in the lobby below, in the El trains outside of the windows and on those book spines.

[Photos: Jennifer Kester]