The Allen puts the "China" in Chinatown. It has Chinese-American owners, many of the staff are recent immigrants, and the furnishings were shipped from across the Pacific, giving the hotel the aspect of a slightly old-fashioned, middle class lodging in Taipei or Hong Kong.  That means shiny wood floors, lots of carved wood furniture, and, on the downside for most Americans, very hard beds (the preference in many parts of Asia). The Allen also has two unusual perks: balconies for most rooms, and an oversized, well-equipped gym. It’s included here because, for most days of the year, its pricing is well below what you’d pay at other places in Manhattan.