Schrager's ultra-luxe Gramercy Park Hotel

Ian Schrager knows how to make something out of nothing — and quite a something. The son of a garment worker, Schrager stepped onto the scene in 1977, when he and partner Steve Rubell (whom he met because both men were dating the same woman) opened the infamous New York nightclub Studio 54, frequented by the likes of Mick Jagger, Andy Warhol, and Truman Capote. He made headlines again in 1979, when a whistler-blower tipped off the police that Schrager and Rubell were skimming $2.5 million. But if anyone can bounce back, it’s Ian Schrager. After spending 13 months in prison, Schrager set his sights on the hotel business (doing time made it hard for him to acquire anymore liquor licenses for nightclubs.) In 1984, he revamped the Executive Hotel in New York, reopening it as the Morgans Hotel. Since then, Schrager has become known as the creator of the boutique hotel genre, and is the largest private hotelier in New York City (though he left the Morgans Hotel Group in 2005 to start the Ian Schrager Company). Check out his NYC hotels after the jump to decide which side of Ian Schrager best fits your style.

Front desk at Morgans

Excellent Service: Morgans

$403/night 3.5Gramercy and Murray Hill, New York City

Ian Schrager’s first property, the 114-room Morgans opened as a discreet hangout for the regulars of his infamous Studio 54 and is often considered the original “boutique” hotel. Excellent service is the rule here — in fact, it’s probably the best thing about this place that now has a lackluster scene and design. The 24-hour concierge is impressively knowledgeable and check-in is surprisingly easy.

Library Bar at the Hudson

Unique Design: Hudson Hotel

$356/night 3.5 Midtown West, New York City

The Hudson Hotel, on the other hand, offers a hip and unique design by Philippe Starck, who designed the hotel in 2000 to look like an enchanted urban forest. Starck covered the 40-foot-high ceiling in the dark, cavernous lobby with ivy, he hung an enormous chandelier above the front desk, and he also designed the hotel’s four popular bars.

Standard room at the Royalton

Great Rooms: Royalton

$434/night3.5: Midtown West, New York City

Trendy, spacious, and beautifully appointed, the rooms make a dramatic design statement with recessed beds, teardrop lamps, and a Jetsons-style bathroom; you may feel like you’re on a snazzy cruise ship thanks to the “porthole” next to your bed, but it’s a good thing. Starting at 250 square feet, the Royalton’s rooms are a decent size and are efficiently laid out. They’re also well-isolated from street noise.

Roof Club and Garden at the Gramercy Park Hotel

Ultimate Luxury: Gramercy Park Hotel

$533/night 5 Gramercy and Murray Hill, New York City

A choice hangout for the hip, beautiful, and famous, this totally unique hotel, reopened by Schrager in 2006, has three happening bar/lounges, handsome and luxurious rooms, and state-of-the-art business and fitness centers. It offers ultra-luxe rooms done up in high Boho-chic style and a young, attentive staff. All this comes at a very high price, of course. But for those looking to place themselves in the center of cool, the Gramercy Park Hotel is currently the place to stay in New York.

For more Ian Schrager hotels, check out the Delano in Miami, the Clift in San Francisco, and the Mondrian in LA.