Stepping through traditional revolving doors into the gilt and marble neo-classical lobby of The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, it's easy to imagine the days when white-gloved porters whisked VIP guests through a private underground passageway to Grand Central Station. Today, the porters still wear white gloves and the 1,015-room property, which spans a city block in midtown, has become a popular meeting hotel for groups that appreciate a historic sense of place.

Among the meeting spaces framed by elegant, historic architecture is the 5,696-square-foot grand ballroom, complemented by a 1,952-square-foot foyer and capped with a 27-foot-high gilded ceiling rising above arched windows and lacy iron balconies. It can accommodate up to 1,000 attendees for receptions — among the favorites, a Roaring '20s theme party. The stately Terrace Room, with a wall of rounded windows and four vintage crystal chandeliers, holds up to 500 for a reception or 300 for sit-down banquets. For small gatherings of up to 50, planners can arrange exclusive use of the oval-shaped Palm room, an elaborately embellished “tea room” encircled by a dozen marble-clad columns. In addition, there are 19 flexible meeting rooms, from 299 to 1,007 square feet in area, that can accommodate groups from 20 to 800.

The Roosevelt's spacious lobby, renovated and restored in recent years to reflect the feeling of the original 1924 design, buzzes with activity. Also evoking 1920s styling are the Roosevelt Grill restaurant and Madison Club Lounge — a traditional clubby retreat with stained-glass windows and a 31-foot-long mahogany bar.

Upgrades completed this fall to guest rooms and the health club ensure a great workout and a comfortable night's sleep. The 24-hour fitness center has been outfitted with new LifeFitness equipment with individual televisions. And it was lovely being cradled by the new Roosevelt Bed, with a choice of five pillows of varying degrees of firmness, at the end of a busy New York day.