At last count (Feb 2008), there were 73,333 hotel rooms in New York City. Naturally, all these hotels didn't just pop up overnight. Some of them have been around for a wee bit longer than you or me, or you and me put together.

If you're the kind who thinks that your hotel stay should be a part of the travel experience, then I'm sure you'd enjoy staying at a hotel where the survivors from the Titanic were put up. How about the oldest hotel in NYC or the first big hotel which allowed single unaccompanied women to rent a room? The hotel where the Beatles stayed when they first came to America?

All this and lots more with details about colorful and historic hotels in New York, along with descriptions of their curent day status (as in rooms, amenities, dining, and so on) follows below the fold.

The Algonquin - When an establishment doesn't need to add 'hotel' in front of its name, and everyone still knows its a hotel, then you know it wasn't born yesterday. This is the kind of place the Algonquin is, and its been witness to the various cultural revolutions and upheavals in the social fabric of New York City since 1902 - That's 106 years of history.

The Algonquin's famed Rose Room Round Table is actually a tourist attraction, and there's even a Dorothy Parker walking tour which begins and ends at the Algonquin. To make things a bit more awesome, the Algonquin also serves a $10,000 martini. Info: 59 West 44th Street (Between 5th and 6th) New York, NY 10036; (212) 840-6800; www.algonquinhotel.com/; Photo by Infomofo via flickr (creative commons).

The Jane - Exactly a 100 years ago, The Jane opened its doors as a hotel for sailors, with bunks and cabins like a ship. In 1912, the surviving crew of the Titanic stayed at the Jane until the American inquiry was complete. They even held a memorial service at the hotel 4 days after the Titanic sank.

Now on its centennial, the hotel is being restored to its former glory offering budget NYC lodging. For 150 rooms measuring about 50 sq. ft., rates will start at $99 with bathrooms down the hall. For slightly higher rates, 50 rooms measuring at 250 sq. ft. will feature private bathrooms, many of which include unobstructed river views. Info: 113 Jane Street, New York, NY 10014, (212) 924-6700; www.thejanenyc.com/

Waldorf=Astoria - The original Waldorf hotel was opened in 1893, and the Astoria joined it 4 years later to become the Waldorf=Astoria. But was torn down and shifted 15 blocks north on Park Avenue to make way for the Empire State Building. When it reponed at the new location in 1931, it was the world's largest hotel.

The hotel was the first to introduce room service, something which we take for granted today. It's also the first to be the residence of three 5-star Generals - Dwight Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur and Omar Bradley. Info: 301 Park Avenue New York, NY 10022; (212) 355.3000; Website

Warwick - The Warwick was built in 1926 as a Hollywood refuge in New York for the friends (and his romantic interest) of William Randolph Hearst. Paramount Pictures used the Warwick as headquarters for their stars filming in New York.

James Dean, Cary Grant, Jane Russell, Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley were frequent guests. Cary Grant was actually a resident and lived in the hotel for 12 years. When The Beatles came to the US for the first time, they stayed at the Warwick. Info: 65 West 54th Street, New york, NY10019, (212) 247-2700; www.warwickhotelny.com/

The Plaza - Since 1907, the Plaza has been an NYC institution, more than just a hotel. Designated as a National Landmark Building, the Plaza is famed for brunch and afternoon tea at its Palm Court restaurant, along with legendary Oak Room and Oak Bar, all of which have been restored after The Plaza's recent renovation.

In September 1985, the Plaza Accord was signed at the hotel, under which the finance ministers of the United States, Japan, West Germany, France and Britain jointly agreed to bring down the price of the U.S. dollar against the other currencies. And considering its near perfect location on Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, its ideal as a base for shopping and visiting the other attractions in the area. Info: Fifth Avenue at Central Park South New York, NY 10019; (212) 759-3000; www.fairmont.com/theplaza; Photo Oquendo by via flickr (creative commons).