| sandi |
Nov 20th, 2002 11:59 AM |
Michelangelo hotel---report
We stayed at the Michelangelo hotel (51st betw 6th and 7th) on November 16th 2002, for one nite. We were 2 couples, had 2 rooms. The weekend was a wonderful mini-vacation, during a terrible rainy nor’easter in New York. This was especially due to the pleasantness of hotel staff, and the lovely comfortable surroundings at the hotel.<BR>We arrived by taxi from Penn Station at 10:30 am. Henry, the doorman cheerfully opened the door for us, immediately helping to take our luggage onto the cart to the front desk. We approached the front desk (at the end of the marble lined, carpeted, elegantly furnished lobby) and were greeted by that staff, who made absolutely no comments about us arriving so early, despite checkin being at 3 or 4 pm.<BR>After giving our names, we said that we would be back later to officially check in, but could we please park our luggage there til that time. Henry, being nearby, said “Don’t worry, I’ll bring your luggage to your rooms when they’re ready”. Now, maybe there are readers here who go thru this all the time, but in MY experience (at some very fine hotels), we have always had to get into our room and THEN call for our bags, waiting about 15 mins til they get around to it).<BR>At that point we asked about local plays and events in the city, and about the hotel restaurant, Limoncello (didn’t get to eat there though, ran out of time!), from the concierge, James, who was also very helpful. Then we went about planning our day (saw Movin’ Out on 46th, and the Radio City Christmas Show, a block away). <BR>When we returned at 1pm, we discovered our rooms were ready! We went upstairs to the 6th floor, opened the door to lovely classical music playing on the Bose wave radio/cd, and the lighting set just right. The room is spotless, tastefully decorated, and had a king bed, nightstands, phone/tv/fax/data, minibar well-stocked. The bathroom is marble-lined with tv and phone, and a 55 gallon tub!! When you step in, the tub is about up to your knees! Pretty cool on a stormy weekend like we had. You can take a relaxing bubble bath, and watch tv from the vanity. (My friend’s husband told us---this is a “guys’ story”--- that he was bathing while “watching the Sopranos whack Ralphie on HBO and put the body IN THE TUB!!” Sick, but trueJ ) . Amenities were sufficient, plus they have “Damigella” service, which means you call for anything you may need and they bring you a basket of supplies (we didn’t use this, so I cant say other than what the card said). My friend, in her room, used the overnite complimentary shoeshine on 2 pairs of their shoes. You put the shoes in the bag they supply in your closet, outside your door at night, and they are hanging on your door shined the next morning! What a treat. They have turn-down service with Baci chocolates on your pillows. I had used some towels and washcloth to freshen up, and the maids had replaced them with clean during the turn-down, as everything was new when we returned late.<BR>The next morning, Sunday, was checkout at 1pm. They serve complimentary Danish and coffee/tea off the lobby from 8-10am, and 7-9am on weekdays. Food was fresh and delicious. Cappucino was the best I’ve had, with a thick foamy top and delicious espresso. There was whole fruit, too---apples were very crisp. After checkout at 1pm, I went to the bar near the lobby and treated everyone to a Limoncello cordial, as a parting “Salud”. What more can I say? WE WILL BE BACK!!!! This was heaven. And PS, I heard from a reliable source that many famous stars, directors, musicians, stay there often. You’ll love it if you stay there, great location, accommodating staff, wonderful.<BR>
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