This minimal hotel is close to one of the prettiest stretches of lower Fifth Avenue, near Washington Square Park. Call in advance and book the Family Room, which has a full bed, two twin beds, two TVs, and a private bathroom. 27 West 11th St., (212) 989-9333, Weekdays from $219; Fridays and Saturdays from $249.

Located in the center of Midtown, this comfortable hotel has great family offerings, like the Ratatouille package, which includes cooking lessons, a cheese turndown. It also has a Sony Play Station in every room. 45 East 45th St., (212) 661-9600, from $200 for a double.

This Holiday Inn is a secret gem in the middle of downtown. Set in SoHo, within walking distance of Chinatown, the East Village, and the Lower East Side, it's a great location at a great price. The rooms are large, and kids younger than 12 eat for free. (Also, kids younger than 19 stay for free.)138 Lafayette St., (212) 966-8898, guest room from $169-$299; executive room from $199-$349 (June-December).

This tiny place in the West Village is like staying at a friend's apartment, but with the amenities of a hotel. Be sure to book the Garden Room, which has a queen-size bed, a pull-out loveseat for the kids, and private access to the patio out back. 21 Eighth Ave., (212) 243-5384, $229 for a single; $239 for a double; $25 per night for a third person.

While the uptown location is across the street from Central Park and houses the BLT Market restaurant, the Battery Park location provides a different perspective on the city, with easy access to Tribeca and downtown, which are steps away, and is much less expensive. Both offer family deals and special holiday packages. 50 Central Park South, (212) 308-9100, from $695 for a double; 2 West St., (212) 344-0800, from $299 for a double.

Kids will love the lime green–lit escalators and the proximity to Central Park, while parents will love that those escalators lead to lots of running-around room, a wood-paneled library, and sleek guestrooms. 356 West 58th St., (212) 554-6010, from $329 for a double.

This übertrendy hotel in the Meatpacking District is surprisingly great for families, with spacious rooms, a plush "Gansevoort Goose", milk and cookies at turndown, Wii game systems, cribs, baby toiletries, classic board games, and a rooftop pool with plenty of water toys. 18 Ninth Ave., (212) 206-6700, from $495 for a deluxe room (includes two double beds).

At this endlessly stylish boutique hotel tucked in the middle of SoHo, each brown-wood-and-white-linen room has high ceilings, big windows, and lots of space. A stay here includes unpacking and packing services, complimentary access to the New York Sports Club gym a few blocks away, and crib availability. 147 Mercer St., (212) 966-6060, from $595 for a standard room; regular room rates go up to $820; from $1500 for a suite.

Staying in the middle of SoHo will make you feel like a well-connected New Yorker. Amenities include Malin + Goetz toiletries, complimentary preloaded iPods, Bose docks, and Electra bicycles in the summertime for peddling around town. Also check out the kids' welcome package for tons of recommendations of hot kid spots around town and family itineraries. 310 West Broadway, (212) 965-3000, from $359.

The staff couldn't be friendlier at the Regency, and The Library (which has dishes of M&M's scattered about) clears out after the power breakfasts to provide a warm spot for free hot chocolate. 540 Park Ave, (212) 759-4100, from $639 for a double.

Ian Schrager's masterpiece is a cozy black-white-and-red affair nestled right next to quiet Gramercy Park. Guests also have access to the picturesque park, which offers plenty of space to play and shady benches perfect for relaxing. 2 Lexington Ave., (212) 920-3300, from $665 to $865 for a deluxe room (includes two double beds).

This New York classic just got a facelift, but Bemelmans Bar, named after the author-illustrator of Madeline, still has murals based on the famed children's story gracing the walls. Be sure to check out the Madeline Tea from 12 to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. 35 East 76th St., (212) 744-1600, from $755 for a double or single occupancy.

Located right across from Central Park (a few blocks from the zoo), this is one of New York's most iconic hotels. It offers special amenities for children, like kid-size robes and milk and cookies at turndown. 2 East 61st St., (212) 838-8000, Closed until January 2009 for $100 million renovation. Starting rates will be $1,100 a night.

New York's Four Seasons is luxurious and well located, and offers a host of amenities and activities that cater to families and kids. The kids' menu happily goes beyond chicken fingers to include dishes like salmon with market veggies, chicken noodle soup, and cinnamon toast. Cribs, strollers, bottle warmers, crayons, and toys are complimentary. 57 East 57th St., (212) 758-5700, from $755 for a standard room; Kids For All Seasons package from $1050.