Open for business┬áWhen the New Yorker Hotel embarked on a $65 million renovation, it chose to stay open for the renovation. General manager Kevin Smith shares the secret of its success with Linda Seid Frembes. Finding a good hotel room in New York City used to be like tracking BigfootÔÇöyou had heard of such a thing but had never really seen it. The accommodations in New York have come a long way now that the New Yorker Hotel has completed its $65 million renovation project.