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A Killer View of Manhattan, While Still in Manhattan

Where: 653 11th Avenue [map], New York, NY, United States

We told you once already, back when it first debuted in spring 2010, that the Press rooftop at Ink48 has New York City views almost impossible to get while in New York City. And now we're saying it again because the weather in the Big Apple has actually been nice enough, off and on this winter, for some rooftop imbibing.

The trick to Ink48's killer view is its odd position on the island of Manhattan; it's in Midtown West. No, even further west—extreme west Hell's Kitchen, on 11th Avenue practically in the Hudson River. To the west are the cruise ship piers and, to the east, the crop of skyscrapers that radiate out from Midtown. Even the giant electronic ads of Times Square can be seen, reflecting off the buildings.

Bonus! Checking out some random upcoming dates, we spotted an Advance Purchase deal that yields a room for $183 per night. A taxi here and there to make up for the removed location, and you're still saving money off the typical Times Square hotel rate.

[Photo: HotelChatter]

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It's South Beach vs. Long Island City in The Hotel Name & Logo Game

Rooftop spaces at Z Ocean Hotel and Z Hotel New York

We didn't really notice that the names of the Z Ocean Hotel South Beach and Long Island City, New York's Z Hotel were so similar. Or, at least, it didn't bother us. But it sure did get up Z Ocean's nose.

The developers of the South Beach hotel filed a lawsuit against the owners of Z Hotel, accusing them of trademark infringement and seeking damages. But, as The Real Deal reports, the suit wound up being settled--with both hotels agreeing to keep their names but Z NYC forced to redesign its logo.

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Celebrate Elizabeth Taylor's Jewels with Some of Ivanka Trump's

While Jaunted will be bidding its life savings on Elizabeth Taylor's old Louis Vuitton luggage, you can get your own priority viewing of the rest of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor at Christie's Rockefeller Center by booking this new package at the Trump International Hotel & Tower New York.

For $825, the package includes a one-night stay, the priority access viewing from Dec. 3-12, a $250 donation so the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation made by the hotel, a copy of the Christie's souvenir publication, Elizabeth Taylor: A-Z, a copy of the Christie's Gallery Guide for The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor and breakfast for two at Jean George's Nougatine.

Oh and we almost forgot: a $500 gift card to Ivanka Trump Jewelry, good towards a purchase of $2,000 or more at the shop at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue or the new Soho store at 109 Mercer Street.

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The More $99 NYC Hotel Rooms, The Merrier

Where: 29 East 29th Street [map], New York, NY, United States

Typically we don't pay much attention to the weekly Travelzoo Top 20 newsletter. You know what we're talking about—the deals email that arrives usually chock full of $499 cruise specials, four-digit guided tour packages and discount Cirque du Soleil tickets. The Travelzoo hotel pickings can be iffy, especially since they're seeking out the cheapest rate possible, but today's newsletter may have uncovered a legitimate gem: the Hotel Thirty Thirty.

They're advertising $99 per night right near the Empire State Building, for stays many nights now until February 29, 2012. The reason? The hotel just completed a renovation, and the after photos are actually attractive.

Searching directly on their website for random, weekday nights in January, the lowest we could find is $126 per night. Going through the Travelzoo link, the prices come down to $79/night for the single room, or $99/night for the queen, all renovated. Prices nearer to now (like in November) seem to hover around $199 per night.

Hotel Apps / Firmdale Hotels / iPhone Apps / Hotel Technology / New York Hotels / London Hotels / → All Tags

Firmdale's New iPhone App Keeps it Clean and Simple

If tech-savvy types are correct in their assessment that "[t]he future of mobile is the future of everything"—and what a bold statement to make—then Firmdale Hotels' business future is looking up. Jumping on the very full and happy mobile technology bandwagon, the hotel chain has just released its own iPhone Application, downloadable by clicking here.

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Hotel Fireplaces: Thumbs Up or Down?

Where: 1000 Mountain Rest Road [map], New Paltz, NY, United States, 12561

Hotel can have many pleasantly surprising amenities. Like complimentary bath salts next to a soaking tub or a menu of different pillow types, and of course there's our favorite amenity of free and fast WiFi. But rarely does it happen that you swing open your room door and—BOOM—in-room fireplace.

Usually associated with 5-star hoighty-toighty hotels most likely in Europe, hotel room fireplaces are super rare these days. We just ran into our very first ourselves, at New York State's 265+ year old Mohonk Mountain House. We'll have more on the hotel for you next week, but for now, let's talk fireplaces.

So what do you think—are in-room fireplaces cute and homey or space-wasting scary fiery things?

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Hotel Americano Shows Some More Skin (But Still Has No Real Website)

Where: 518 W. 27th St [map], New York, NY, United States, 10001

The Hotel Americano first hotel from Mexico's Grupo Habita is set to open in New York's Chelsea neighborhood sometime this spring and as you probably know, HotelChatter has been keeping some close tabs on the construction.

Last month, it looked like there was still a lot of work to do but thanks to these photos snapped by the erstwhile PBB we're getting a better idea of what this new hotel will look like.

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The Pod Hotel Loves Modern Art and Free Museum Passes

Where: 230 E 51st St. [map], New York, NY, United States, 10022

Seems we just can't get enough hotel art. But we're also fans of New York hotel deals, and the latest offer from the down-market chic Pod Hotel in Midtown is a beaut—at least if you're planning to visit the Museum of Modern Art while you're in town.

The Pod has an "Abstract in NYC" package through April 25 with room rates starting at $99 and two tickets to MoMA to see the blockbuster Abstract Expressionist New York exhibit. Proving that art is all about the cash these days, those free museum passes are worth $40.

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Tonight's The Night For The Gotham Hotel's Tenpenny Restaurant

Where: 16 E 46th St. [map], New York, NY, United States, 10017

After a press preview last night, the Gotham Hotel's new restaurant, Tenpenny, will open for dinner service tonight. With the Trilby at the Cooper Square Hotel opening the doors six days ago, Tenpenny is the second food-and-bev operation in Klaus Ortlieb's mini-pire to open in the past week.

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Hotel Delays / Hotel Openings / Four Points Hotels / Starwood Hotels / New York Hotels / → All Tags

Four Points Long Island City Hits Delays But Has Great Deals for May

Where: 27-05 39th Avenue [map], Long Island City, NY, United States, 11101

Once scheduled to open in late 2010, the Four Points by Sheraton Long Island City has hit another snag and won't be opening as planned today. The new soft-opening date is April 28.

Rooms for early May are currently quoted as low as $139 if you pre-pay and $149 for a refundable room. This being a Four Points property, that price also includes your free wifi and bottled water. There are also a few interesting package deals, including a deal for 40 percent off a second weekend night stay and a package that gives you two free $20 Metrocards for the train for a rate bump of only $10.

So, yes, the hotel is in Long Island City, but numerous subways at Queensboro and Queens Plaza are just three blocks away, making it a legit way to skip out on high Midtown prices while still being a short ride from Manhattan. Plus, as the hotel rightly points out, the views of the city's skyline are much better when you're not looking at them from Manhattan.

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One Way Of Getting Kate Moss To Your Party: The Kills Will Play Mondrian Soho's Opening Bash

Where: 9 Crosby St. [map], New York, NY, United States, 10013

We already know the Mondrian Soho is in its soft open, but the downtown hotel will throw an official opening party on March 10 featuring a set by The Kills. If history is any guide, the inevitable after party will be at Mr. H (and feature Kate Moss as a star guest, seeing as she's engaged to one of said Kills).

But we'd be more interested if the rockers took over the theatrical greenhouse of Imperial No. 9, the seafood spot from quasi-celeb chef Sam Talbot that New York magazine calls "probably the most out-there design we’ve seen since another movie-inspired eatery, FoodParc," at the Eventi hotel. It opened last night.

The drink list at the new spot is certainly out there, too. Zagat fills us in on cucumber foams, unfiltered apple cider, chai cordials, chamomile agave syrup and other oddities on cocktail guru John Lermayer's list. Will The Kills be ordering 'em up? We certainly would.

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Four Years On, Still No Sanctuary Hotel But At Least It Has A Pop-Up Restaurant

Where: 132 W 47th St. [map], New York, NY, United States, 10036

We've been tracking the development of New York's Sanctuary Hotel since time immemorial, and by now we should know better than to make opening date predictions for the re-do of the Portland Square Hotel on 47th Street. But we're being promised a spring opening, so March seems like a good time to check in.

Bad news, though: reservations for the property, which has been under redevelopment since at least 2007, are now pushed all the way to July 1. A standard queen is quoted at $295 for that night; it should have the platform bed, peakaboo bathroom and free wifi we've been promised. A jump up to a $550-a-night suite will get you more space and an extra WC.

But wait! This room rate is 20 percent higher than the Portland Hotel is currently asking for July. We'll take some comfort in the form of a special event lined up for March 10: a pop-up restaurant from the Guerrilla Culinary Brigade. The theme for the three-night event is Pop Art, Pop Up, and 15-year-old chef Greg Grossman will be doing the cooking. (Yes. 15 years old. Imagine.)

Thursday's seatings are already sold out but Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12, are still up for grabs. It's $95 per person for four courses.