Go figure: Donald Trump has created a very discreet hotel. An inconspicuous lobby immediately introduces you to the hotel's fine service, which continues throughout your stay with available personal assistants. What is showy is the building, a black skyscraper jutting high above Columbus Circle presenting unobstructed views of Central Park from floor-to-ceiling windows. Suites that corner the park and circle have some of the most compelling urban views in the world. Rooms and suites resemble mini-apartments: all have fully equipped kitchens with dishwashers. Room decor is slightly outdated in that razzle-dazzle Trump style—gold fixtures!—like a luxury apartment form a decade ago. Personalized stationery and business cards are provided on request. The restaurant, Jean Georges, is one of the city's finest, and for a price a Jean Georges's sous-chef will prepare a meal in your kitchenette. That's luxury. Pros: fine service; stellar views; discrete treatment. Cons: somewhat outdated luxury furnishings.
Reviewed by Parkergal from Parker, Colorado on 10/29/07
We just returned from a long awaited (2 1/2 years) vacation to New York and the Trump. We have stayed there many times and always wished we could extend our trip, but not this time. In fact we came home 4 days early.
First off, you are surrounded with all things Trump. Trump water, Trump Vodka, Trump magazines, even a "T" pattern in the elevator carpet - maybe we just never noticed that before- Trump even on the little bags in the baths with the shower cap, ect. in it.
We always ask for a 2 bedroom suite and have received a beautiful corner suite overlooking Columbus Circle. This time we were booked into suite 800. Nice view of Central Park, but the bedrooms are right next to construction that is being done on two buildings next door. Every week day morning we got an un-asked for "wake up" call at 6am with construction noise.
Our first morning (Sunday) we were awakened by the sound of the 2am trash truck, and a big piece of construction machinery moving concrete barriers around. During the day, it was the delightful sound of the slamming metal door across the hall where housekeeping keeps their cleaning equipment.
We tried to change rooms but they were totally booked. Refilling of the minibar took 2 days. Dinner at Nougatine, Jean-Gorges was fully booked, was horrible. Service was painfully slow and unfriendly. The bottle of wine that we let the waitress keep on ice for us away from the table definately had more than our two glasses poured from it when it was returned to us to keep at our table, but how could we prove it. The "Crispy Chicken" was disgusting, the skin was nearly raw though the chicken seemed ok and the "crispy" was burned. My husband had the Salmon which was good but had a sour pureed substance under it. We couldn't flag down anyone to ask what it was. No veggies or sides, just the chicken and salmon. We had room service once and also had lunch on the Terrace and both were wonderful. For dinner, do yourself a big favor and go across the street to the Time Warner complex and eat at the "Porter House" steak house. Fantastic, a true 5 star experience all around.
Although clean, the room was tiny compaired to the corner suites. Forget about cooking anything in the kitchenette using their cookware. The pots and pans should be tossed into that 2am trash pickup. Yuck. The bedroom closet that has the sliding mirrored doors is a joke. Neither door slides all the way open. And as in the past, good luck setting the room temp at a comfortable setting. It's either too warm or freezing cold. It's probably why I am sick right now.
For our money, the Ritz Carlton Battery Park is where we will stay for now and catch a cab to Manhattan.
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