Anyone stay at the Rihga Royal Hotel in New York?
 

We are going to NYC between Xmas and New Years and had reservations at the Grand Hyatt on Park Avenue for $189/ night. Just saw an article for the Rhiga Royal that said they were offering their Royal Suite for $199 a night between Dec 22 and January 7. It looks very nice in their web site. Does anyone have any personal experience with this hotel and/or ideas of how it might compare with the Grand Hyatt?

Steve, I have stayed at the Hyatt Grand numerious times (it is around the corner from my NY office). I have gone to the Rhiga Royal for brunch several times because they have one of the best Sunday brunches in Manhattan (and a great view of Central Park). While I haven't been in any of the guest rooms, the lobby is very nice. If you are interested in location, the Rhiga is more convenient to Broadway than the Hyatt. IMO I would say that if you can get the Rhiga for $199, grab it.

The standard rooms are all beautiful suites at the Rhiga Royal. I would grab at one of those for $199.00. Haven't seen a Royal Suite, but I assume it is even nicer, so I would run not walk to get it. I personally like the location much more than the Grand Hyatt too.

My wife, who works for one of the big law firms, stays at the Rhiga Royal when in NYC and loves it. Their corporate rate is approximately $400, so if you can get in for $199 . . .!

I actually got engaged in a suite at the Rhiga Royal this February 2000 and it is a wonderful hotel. The rooms and accomodations are beautiful and the service is fantastic. We only stayed for one night there, but I can tell you the brunch was amazing!

Tell us Deborah about the brunch. Is it a buffet or menu? Price? Is the restaurant with a view, or on the first floor? I have seen the rooms, but never saw the restaurant.

The Royal Suites are actually the basic suites at the Rihga. They are definitely very big and have about the same amenities as all the other suites. Royal suites are simply on lower floors and have their own bank of elevators. The Rihga is pretty nice, especially for $199. Beware of shoddy service, though. My family has stayed there since it opened and service has increasingly decline. However, it doesn't quite qualify as "bad" yet; only not on par with a true luxury hotel.

Patrick, the restaurants at the Rhiga are on high floors with views, though the windows aren't big à la Rainbow Room or Windows.... The main restaurant is called Halcyon, and I haven't dined there. Nor have I had brunch, but I'm fairly positive it's a buffet,which is set up in another area (same view), as are their holiday buffets; I did Thanksgiving there once, which was good but not spectacular. Decor there is upscale hotel banquet hall, though on a smaller scale. <BR> <BR>Not sure if what you're interested in lavish buffet brunches, brunches with views, or what, but: the Palm Cout buffet brunch at the Plaza has excellent food and service a high tourist factor. Café Botanica in the Essex House has a very nice setting, with flowers, fountains, trellises, like an indoor garden, and window tables have first-floor views of the south end of Central Park. Brunch includes champagne and choice of entree, and buffet appetizers and desserts. The entrees are fine, but the buffet parts are better, though not as large as at the hotels. Desserts and service both excellent. Rainbow Room brunch was very nice (buffet on the revolving dance floor, no carved meats), and of course the views are great, but I don't know what's changed since the Ciprianis took over. Don't know if it still does, but Peacock Alley at the Waldorf-Astoria apparently has or had a stunning (food-wise) buffet brunch. Park View at the Boat House in Central Park is said to have a very good buffet brunch, and of course, you get the park view, which should be very pretty in May (that's when you're here, right?). All are in the $45-55 range. Hope this is some help.

Has The Muse opened yet? Is it in a better location?

The Muse has opened and is on 46th between Broadway and 6th Avenue --great location for theatre. We are staying there in December. Thanks for the brunch info, Caitlain, it's for our brief December stay, not our full month in May. But thanks for remembering.

Thanks, Patrick.

Deborah, tell us about the romantic engagement in that lovely suite! Forget about the brunch!