Not all rooms have kitchenettes. I've have stayed in a room with one after a 3 level or so Virtuoso upgrade and it was so good my significant other wanted to redo the kitchen in our La Jolla condo exactly the same way.

I've not stayed at the Carlyle or the Surrey, but +1 here for the Mark. When at the Mark, we regularly go to Bemelmans Bar across the street at the Caryle. The food menu in the bar is a little too limited for my tastes. But the bar is very friendly and the food they serve is good. Also, I order the famous Manhattan (or three?, four?), and then have to stumble back to the Mark without vomiting or getting crushed by a taxi on Madison. Normally my SO goes to the Cafe to try to hit on Woody Allen, leaving me on my own to get back to the room.

Last time at Bemelmans Bar, I nearly knocked over Billy Joel at the entrance. He's a little guy and a tad, uhhh, round. He was there helping his daughter set up for a gig next door at Cafe Carlyle.

The Mark has become my choice after Atelier closed at the FS.

That is a good description.