When the Mansfield's sleek sibling was unveiled after a year of renovations (and lots of millions), they called us wanting to be included in the Academic Ambassadors coterie of fine hotels. That felt good.

So, we now have a chic new partner towards the West Side (but decidedly Midtown… Museum of Modern Art, anyone?). Its high-tone surfaces gleam and its services stand out (wireless internet throughout, flat-screen TVs, complimentary cappuccino, room service…).

If the Mansfield has brownstone charm and dark good lucks, the Shoreham is a shined-up avatar of our young century, even if the rates (for us) are a bit of a throw-back*:

9/5/07 – 12/31/07: $339 Superior Room | $399 Deluxe Room
1/1/08 – 3/2/08: $289 Superior Room | $379 Deluxe Room
3/3/08 – 6/26/08: $339 Superior Room | $429 Deluxe Room
6/27/08 – 9/1/08: $299 Superior Room | $389 Deluxe Room
9/2/08 – 12/31/08: $429 Superior Room | $519 Deluxe Room

* black-out dates: Sep 6–11 and Dec 1–15

You may visit their website at www.shorehamhotel.com.