Though the name may conjure up a wildlife safari, Hotel Giraffe’s ambience and decor is tres French Moderne, with high-ceilinged rooms awash in warm hues. With all the plush furnishings and rich fabrics – velveteen ottomans, cushy chairs, satin bedcovers – you’d be forgiven if all you want to do is loll about, taking long bubble baths and ordering room service. But this is Manhattan, whose siren call is impossible to resist, especially when you consider the Hotel Giraffe’s central location, which is perfect for those in search of some downtown flair with a hint of uptown sophistication. The leafy, genteel Gramercy Park unfolds just a few blocks south, as does the urban buzz of Union Square, ringed with trendy restaurants, bustling shops, bargain outlets, gourmet markets, and hopping nightspots. Once you’ve had your fill of the city that never sleeps, head back for a rejuvenating bath, and you’ll be ready to hit the streets again.