Despite being situated in a hub of Big Apple activity, near the United Nations and Grand Central Terminal, the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel is a peaceful and refined respite from the city’s action. Towering above First and Second avenues, the hotel’s rooms begin on the 28th floor and offer sweeping views of the New York City skyline or East River. The Millennium draws an impressive mix of foreign dignitaries, for its proximity to the UN, as well as corporate travelers and international tourists seeking a quintessential New York City hotel experience.

The Millennium is located in an eye-catching glass tower that rises alongside Manhattan office buildings directly across from the UN. The sleek exterior is matched by the striking black and white marble inlay in the spacious and polished lobby. Guests can select from standard and superior rooms; some rooms offer glimpses of the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and Brooklyn Bridge. All 427 rooms and suites are equipped with 40-inch flat-screen LCD televisions, on-demand movies and complimentary WiFi. Junior suites feature French doors dividing a bedroom and living room. Two-bedroom suites are also available, each with spectacular Manhattan views from wide windows. Room decor seamlessly blends classic and modern, comprising light wood furnishings, soothing beige linens and vivid accents in shades of fuchsia, lime green and deep purple. A meeting space also touts panoramic New York City views, and is available to guests for parties, business purposes and various events.

The Ambassador Grill, the hotel’s popular on-site restaurant, features an international menu that appeals to the UN crowds that often frequent the mirror-filled room. Guests can dine on New Zealand rack of lamb, Thai seared tuna or continental American cuisine, such as sumptuous steaks. The lively bar is a bustling conversation hub for the business crowd. Breakfast buffets, open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Sundays, offer extravagant made-to-order omelets as well as breakfast basics, like cereal and fresh fruit.

A full-service, on-site fitness center is available for guest use, along with a sauna and heated indoor pool surrounded by windows that overlook Manhattan. The Millennium is also the only New York City hotel with an indoor tennis court that’s open year-round. The hotel offers massage services in either the spa or guest rooms.

The best of New York City entertainment is within easy reach of the hotel. Guests are a quick cab ride away from Broadway shows in the Theater District, sports and concerts at Madison Square Garden, Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim. The Food Network’s Rachael Ray Show calls the hotel its official accommodations; information about attending tapings of the show is provided on the Millennium Web site. Holiday season specials, explained in further detail on the hotel’s Web site, include the Millennium Shopping Package, with gift cards and complimentary breakfast, and the Holiday Party Package, with open bar access.