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Luxury in New York
My husband and I are planning a long weekend January 28-Feb.1 in New York. It is for our 15th anniversary so I would like romance and luxury (4 or 5 stars hotel). Can anyone advise? The ST. Regis on 55th and Ritz-Carlton at Central Park both look good. I appreciate any feedback. Thank you.
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The Four Seasons is still my overall favorite for a special occasion, but the St. Regis is a close second. The RC Central Park and Mandarin Oriental (just opened a month or so ago, also close to the SW corner of the park) should also be considered.
Just what is it that you consider important in a nice hotel? All four of the above are distinctly different. |
Mine are in this order:
St. Regis The Pierre (A Four Seasons Hotel) The Carlyle Plaza Athenee 4 Seasons Peninsula Mark Sherry Netherland Regent Wall Street RC Central Park RC Financial The Plaza Hotel Honestly, I think the Ritz-Carltons are wonderful but Manhattan is in a class of its own when it comes to having a plethora of 5 star hotels. The differences are minor. |
The differences are minor?
Interesting comment. That's a bit like saying that differences are minor among top restaurants like Gramercy Park, Daniel, and Fifty Seven Fifty Seven. The Plaza is pocked with many relatively undesirable rooms, the 4 Seasons uses modern design elements throughout while most of the others are traditional, the RC Financial and Regent WS are in very undesirable locations for tourists, none of the rooms at the Plaza Athenee have great views while many of the rooms at the RC CP and 4 Seasons have spectacular views, etc. etc. Most people will naturally gravitate toward certain top hotels in NYC and away from others depending on their tastes. |
It's my understanding that the Regent Wall Street has closed or will close within the next couple of weeks.
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"That's a bit like saying that differences are minor among top restaurants like Gramercy Park..."
Never knew they served meals in Gramercy Park...I'll have to check it out. |
Thank you for all your responses. I guess what we are looking for is a nice location and beautifully appointed rooms. As it is a special trip for us we want to splurge a bit but having never been to New York I don't know what to expect. OF course the websites make all the hotels mentioned look "grand" but would like to hear from those who have been there. TedTurner could you plese explain the distinct differences as you see them, that may help me a bit more. Thanks.
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The Lowell, on the upper east side, has Central Park views and the rooms have fireplaces....Definitely 5 star.
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Regent Wall Street has closed, will reopen as condos.
Best for romance & luxury is the Plaza Athenee. |
I left off the Waldorf Towers.
Let me rephrase this for you TedTurner, the Suites in the Plaza Hotel and not the standard rooms are very upscale. Since when is the Financial District undesirable for tourists? Just because it isn't in Times Square doesn't mean there aren't plenty of tourist attractions. In fact, the Financial District is my favorite part of Manhattan as well as the oldest part. Things to do downtown: South Street Seaport, St. Pauls Chapel, Trinity Church, Wall Street, Century 21, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, Battery Park, take the Staten Island Ferry for a great view of The Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan, The Museum of American Financial History, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Museum of the American Indian, The Woolworth Building, City Hall and City Hall Park, South Street Seaport Museum, New York City Police Museum, and the Fraunces Tavern Museum to name a few things to do. I still think the differences between the top hotels in NYC are very minor. I consider decor to be minor. Whether baroque or ultra modern, the hotels still are luxury hotels with impeccable service and outstanding amenities. I'll give you location. |
Well, Loki, that's what I get for posting right before bed, eh?
The ambience at Gramercy Park is certainly open and airy...but I imagine the service is "pedestrian". Gramercy Tavern on the other hand.... GoTravel: of course your basic point is correct that NYC has more top end hotels than any city in the US, and each serves the discriminating traveller quite well. My point is that among these top hotels, some will make certain travellers MUCH happier than others. So while all the hotels may be very good, the experiences they provide can vary a lot. Example: I love being able to walk out the front door of the hotel and have 5th Avenue, Central Park and my favorite shops all a short walk away. I like being able to come and go several times a day if I choose without grabbing a cab or subway. So the Ritz FD won't work for me, even though it's a great hotel. I have found that the service at the 4 Seasons suits my personality better than that at the Plaza. I like staying in rooms with great views of the Park, and some hotels don't offer that option, while at others ALL the rooms have at least some panoramic city or park view. Further, having stayed at several of the hotels you listed, I find some MUCH nicer than others in terms of room/bathroom quality and fresh appearance. From a relative standpoint this changes constantly as hotels wear and then refurbish. Bonmark: it would be easiest to suggest hotels likely to meet your goals if we knew what you consider important. What else will you be doing while in NYC? Does view matter? Price range? Is great service really important or just a nice perk? Have you stayed at a lot of nice hotels and know exactly what makes you happy, or is this a once every few years splurge? Any of the hotels GoTravel listed will offer a nice experience. You're likely to find some will suit you even better than others. |
i might suggest the plaza athenee, which is where we stay for pure, 100% luxury, but to avoid the crowds. it's on a quiet upper east side street and well worth it, IMHO.
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Again thanks for your replys. I hate to drag on and on but I am putting a lot of pressure on myself to make this trip as wonderful as possible. Yes location is important. We plan o go to a Broadway show, The Met. Art Museum, Empire State Building, hopefully Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty. Possibly the Museum of Natural....Want to see as much as we can. Nice service would be a perk, bathrooms and lovely furnishings are important as we don't travel this way often (we have young children and this is our first couples only trip in a long time!)Park view would be great but isn't a deal breaker. Price under $550/night. (Can get St. Regis for $415). Thanks Again.
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The Stanhope, The Stanhope, The Stanhope.
what new york hotels were and should be. |
Great idea to suggest the Stanhope. It is no longer a boutique hotel but part of the Hyatt chain. I haven't stayed for many years but I do still like to sit in front at the little sidewalk cafe (weather permitting of course) and watch the crowds at the Met.
Incredible upper eastside location. Very romantic. LMF |
You may want to look at the new Mandarin Oriental. This hotel is brand new, super-lux and located near a lot of want you want to see. the chain has a great rep - I've stayed in two and they were unbelievable - and you may get extraordinary rates because it doesn't have a customer base yet.
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Can't believe I left the New York Palace off that list.
Still stand by my statement that the St. Regis is tops in the city. |
Just another idea of romance and luxury, my trust fund friends would always hire a limo and driver for their New York weekends.
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Well I'll throw a wrench in this discussion by saying it depends upon <b>the room</b> you get more than the hotel at this level. I'm a big fan of the Stanhope. I got married there-BUT-the "regular" rooms are nothing special there IMO. A suite is great or something with a park view. For a romantic weekend I'd opt for a suite or a park view wherever you stay. All the hotels mentioned so far are great.
Have you checked on luxurylink.com? They may have a weekend package you can bid on. Just make sure, if you find what you're looking for, that it's available for the weekend you want before you bid on it & research the value before bidding. Don't get carried away. If you decide not to do that, I'd definitely contact the hotel you choose BY PHONE & try to negotiate the best deal. It's an off time/weekend. Let them know it's your anniversary & pour on the charm. |
The Ritz Carlton Central Park is the best in Manhattan.
If you want a view, pay the extra $100+ for a Park Viwew Room. If you want to experience one of the better Clubs in the RC system, spring for the Club Level and its great caviar presentation. If you want to relax, spend some time in the La Praire Spa. If you want to eat, try Atelier...the best new restaurant in NY according to numerous publications. If you want to relax in the afternoon, stop by the Star Lounge for Afternoon Tea. Or, have it all and get a suite. They are by far the best executive level suites around. And, oh yeah, have fun! |
Can't add anything, but definitely shop the discounters. We got a room a couple years ago over Valentines at the St. Regis for much less than they advertised. Of course it was the Feb after 9/11 so that mad a big difference... Have fun!!
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All of your posts were very helpful. Decided on a Grand Luxe room at the St. Regis-more than I'd ever spend but we'll only have our 15th anniversary once! Now I am trying to choose a show. I know I can get tickets for The Producers if I want to take out a personal loan. What are your thoughts on Hairspray vs. Urinetown vs. Rent vs. The Man from Oz vs. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and so on??? Again thanks to all of you!
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FWIW I think you'll be very happy with your hotel choice.
Producers tix can usually be found on places like E-Bay, but prices can be outrageous at times. I like Broadway, but am not a fanatic by any means, and paid more than twice face value (for good seats) to see Lane/Broderick in the Producers during the first run. It was a great show, but in retrospect I wouldn't pay the same price again if I had the option of seeing 3 other very good shows for the same price. No disrespect to the Producers. It's top notch. But the ticket prices a couple years back were way out of line. |
I think in order to help you choose a show it would be helpful to know your ages & what shows you've liked & disliked in the past. Rent seems to be favored by teens & young & 20 somethings. Most people love Hairspray. I found it terribly dated. If you like Billy Joel music & you like dancing, you might enjoy 'Movin Out.
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I vote Hairspray, just saw it recently for the second time, and it is holding up even without the original female lead. Movin out is alot of fun, especially if you are a Billy Joel fan.
Have a blast at the St. Regis, definetly worth the money |
As far as shows go, I'm actually going to see Hairspray in February. Not sure what your tastes are, but a fun, unusual show would be Blue Man Tubes. It's not on Broadway but it's tons of fun. Better yet, you can call them ahead of time when you buy the tickets and request that they wish your husband "Happy Anniversary". At the beginning of the show, they have a neon type moving sign that displays birthdays, etc.. and other fun stuff. I did it for my brother for his 4oth and he was so surprised. I've seen the show 3 times and love it. Susan
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You guys are very helpful. Because of all the posts we have decided on The St. Regis, "Wonderful Town" and The Grey Line 48 hour hop on, hop off. Can't wait to be there. Thanks again for all your help.
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You will have a wonderful time and I'm so jealous! The St. Regis is one of my all time favorite hotels anywhere!
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i am so glad you are seeing "wonderful town" we saw it in ny over christmas and the leads are drop dead broadway stars with a capital "s." i would be shocked if the female lead did not win a third tony. we also saw the boy from oz the same weekend and thought hugh jackman was great great great- but the all-around show experience was definitely better at wonderful town- adolph green and betty comden lyrics are outstanding and the show is fun- i sound like an ad - but i hope everyone sees this show i loved it!
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bonmark - what wonderful choices! Can I go with you? Have a fantastic time, and be sure to post back upon your return home!
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