Arrival/Check-In: When my train pulled into New York Penn Station, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was ready to leave the chaos that is New York City and relax in my room at The Kimberly. I hopped into a taxi, expecting a quick trip to the hotel. After sitting in traffic for 25 minutes I arrived, flustered because I was running behind schedule, had bags to carry and was exhausted. I was immediately at ease when the doorman offered to take my bags and showed me where to check in. The lobby, although extremely small, was lined in beautiful brown marble with a few plush chairs for guests to sit in. Everything had a touch of gold to it, giving the lobby a regal feel. Check-in took a bit longer than I hoped, as there was only one person at the desk.

Guest Quarters: The manager on duty brought me to my room and helped with my bags, which was a nice touch. When I walked into my luxury one-bedroom suite, I was stunned at how gorgeous and spacious it was. (All of the suites at The Kimberly are about 600 square feet.)The entryway had two large closets, one with an iron and ironing board, the other with two umbrellas. There was ample shelving in the closets, which made up for the lack of dressers in the room. The entryway took me directly into the living room, which had the same plush chairs as the lobby and was also lined in marble. A desk in the living room held a flat computer screen, which ran a program called ICE (Interactive Customer Experience). The hotel calls this system an “in-room concierge,” with which you can print boarding passes, download city guides and read reviews of area restaurants — all at no extra cost. The bedroom was simple but had a comfortable bed and luxurious bedding. I just had one problem with the bedroom: Lighting was almost nonexistent. The bathroom had Toto fixtures, including an oversized showerhead.

Services/Amenities: I was most impressed that hotel guests have access to all nine locations of the New York Health and Racquet Club, with the closest one about two blocks from the hotel. Although The Kimberly converted one of its suites into a guest fitness center — providing two elliptical machines, two bikes, two treadmills and a few weights — going to one of the clubs is a wonderful bonus for those who want a more intense workout. Through the hotel’s affiliation with the clubs, guests can also take advantage of a $25/person Hudson River excursion on the New York Health and Racquet Club’s 75-foot yacht, which includes one light meal per person. Family rides are available for lunch on Sundays, while the rest of the week is reserved for adults. Another great perk of staying at The Kimberly is the rooftop bar, which has an area enclosed with large floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests can also walk outside and sit on oversized outdoor furniture. On cold nights, an outdoor fire burns.

The Experience: The service at The Kimberly was impeccable.With most employees working there for more than 15 years, they have a vested interest in the property and the people who come through each day. The room was lovely — the shades kept the light out in the morning, and the only noise I heard was an occasional fire truck zooming by, but no loud sounds from the hallway. I would especially suggest this hotel to business travelers interested in having a dedicated meeting space in their room, considering the substantial size and layout of the suites.

GT Checklist

• Doorman/valet
• Reasonable arrival-to-room time
• Separate tub and shower
• Large vanity
• High-quality towels
• Large, flat-screen television
• Large desk with convenient outlets
• Complimentary WiFi
• Ample lighting
• Quality bed linens
• Choice of pillows
• Powerful, unattached hair dryer
• Iron and ironing board
• Easy-to-set alarm clock
• On-site restaurant and bar
• 24-hour room service
• Coffeemaker in room
• Large, complimentary laptop safe