Any newspaper or hotel booking search will offer boutique hotels a-plenty in New York City, but if you fancy somewhere a little different, somewhere chic and off the beaten track for a romantic weekend break, where do you begin?

Gramercy Park is a private park tucked away between East 20th Street and East 21st Street in the Union Square district of the city. Tucked behind an unassuming front door is this boutique jewel offering great charm in each of the individually furnished rooms. The two 1834 townhouses perfectly capture a bygone era in the furnishings, service and genteel atmosphere of this secluded hideaway. Take afternoon tea in Lady Medl's Tearooms on the ground floor, where antiques and china set the scene beautifully.

The very name conjures up a log fire, big armchairs, a favorite over-sized sweater and a good book. Conveniently located between the Morgan Library and the New York Public Library, this boutique hotel is a great escape for bibliophiles. Devoted to a discerning clientele, each level of the Library Hotel has a different theme such as poetry, mystery or eroticism, giving a hint of what hand-picked delights are just waiting to be revealed. The furniture, pictures and accents all reflect the theme, along with a selection of well-chosen books in every room. The perfect choice for readers and writers alike.

Continuing to thrive on its reputation as the luxury hotel in New York where JF Kennedy had a tryst with Marilyn Monroe, this classy uptown hotel is still painfully discreet. With antique furnishings and Audubon prints it exudes the ambience of a luxury town home, belying the fact that it actually has 190 guest rooms offering the ultimate in comfort. Mini larders replace the usual minibar and together with its luxury spa, pet-friendly policy and in-house shops, it is hard to find a reason to leave.

Located at the better end of town, the Wales is a well-kept secret in the Upper East side of the city. Quiet walks in Central Park are just a block from this charming boutique hotel, while the Guggenheim and Metropolitan Museum of Art are close by, on what has been dubbed 'Museum Mile'. Enjoy views of the city skyline from the delightful garden or relax in sumptuous comfort amidst goose down comforters, fresh flowers and rich mahogany furniture.
Alex Brey co-founded Luxique, and has had a passion for travel for more than 20 years. So much so, he convinced others to join him in his pursuit to create a travel documentary highlighting some of the globe's finest destinations. During an almost three year process, he got to stay in some outstanding luxury hotels, soak up some vibrant cultures and enjoy some of the world's finest cuisines. He realized that the decision-making process for planning the perfect trip - from choosing the destination to getting the right hotel room - was something that could be improved. And so came the birth of Luxique, the website that caters for the discerning traveler.