I read the reviews of MaElena's "Library" and did not hesitate to fill in my dates and push reservation. I lived around the corner on CPW before leaving for California more than a decade ago. This area is now the heartbeat of the heart of Manhattan and is "more beautiful than ever" while retaining its global diversity of people and places; MaElena is the epitome of this renaissance. She is a beautiful "Lady" with a breathtakingly beautiful home and a huge heart. She greeted me at 2 am (talk about late check-in!) with the wides smile, insisting on helping with my very heavy luggage, and then opening her door and inviting me in. It's like living in an Isabelle Allende novel, an environment that is as calm as it is exciting, a hostess whom only a great novelist could dream up. MaElena's has been a Heaven on Earth for me and I cannot recommend it enough. Superb! Outrageously Creative and Elegant! Comfortable! Those books!!! That room!! That bathtub!!! And, CENTRAL PARK. Who could ask for anything more?