I have booked a room at The Carlyle for 3 nights in July. Most reviews are favorable, but the most recent post on tripadvisor makes it sound horrible (shower heads falling off, and bad A/C). I'm hoping this was a fluke, but would like to know if anyone else has had a recent experience at this hotel that they would like to share.
How is it?
Also, one older post, said rooms are being renovated - any one know the status (% rooms complete) of the renovations? Perhaps the complainer got an older room that hadn't been updated yet?
Any feedback, good or bad, is welcomed. Thx.

Guess people who stay at the Carlyle are not Fodor's Forum participants???
Oh, well......

or they don't read the forum every 3 hours.. who knows, they might even be working to save up money to go back to the carlyle

Beautiful property, excellent museum and UES location, Bemelmen's Bar is lovely, kheils amenities.

Book a park view if you can swing the $$$.

Thank you, GoTravel! I actually have a corporate rate, but if they'll do an upgrade for little to no extra $$, that sounds wonderful!
Brad - very funny. I do happen to be having a slow day at work ! But also had never been on the forum until this week, and saw other messages with so many great replies.... GIve a newbie a break?
thanks, all!

Beachysis,

I refuse to stay anywhere BUT the Carlyle often on my frequent visits to the Big Apple. Be sure to enjoy a martini (shaken, not stirred) at Bemelmans!

My boss is very wealthy and could stay anywhere. He's also an A/C addict. He always stays at the Carlyle, but I would mention his room rate is in the $375-400 range.

I have just read here that somebody got a room at the Waldorf-Astoria on PL for under $200/night. How does that one compare to the Carlyle? Myone trip to the lobby of WA a few years ago gave me the impression that it is older/traditional more ornate, and appeals to older travelers....Can anyone compare/contrast these 2 hotels on room size, modernization, clientele?

The Waldorf gets mixed reviews.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html

The Waldorf Towers which I guess are the top floors is evidently better and I think is the only 5 star property in midtown east on Priceline so if you bid for it, you know you'll get it. Here are some reviews but none very recent

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html

The biggest differences (to me) between the 2 are location-the Carlyle on the upper east side in a more residential location while the Waldorf is in the middle of midtown. And size the Carlyle feels much smaller (whether it is or not in terms of number of rooms). They both have traditional decor but I think the Carlyle has been renovated more recently. The Carlyle seems more special. The Waldorf could be a grand old hotel in any major city IMO.

I don't think one has older guests than the other. Because of price, I think both tend to have a bit older clientele. Because of the Waldorf's location, I think they're likely to get more business travelers on expense account. The Carlyle attracts an art crowd, being in the middle of the gallery area on Madison and more of a European crowd.

Princess Diana regularly stayed at the Carlyle.

Thank you, Mclaurie!
I read a few of your posts, and you have lots of great NYC tips & info to share! I read about the WA on TA, and will stick with The Carlyle!
If it's good enough for Princess Di, it should be good enough for me!
And we do want to be near the Park, so you make a good point re: location.
If you care to make any dining recommendations for the Upper East Side area where we're staying, that would be great, too!

A half block from your hotel is Cafe Boulud, the slightly more affordable version of Daniel. It's still a splurge. Have a look on their website danielnyc.com and you can also check Daniel there I'd imagine which is only 10 blocks away.

For breakfast,lunch, or casual dinner Payard Bistro (really great pastries) on Lexington. Le Pain Quotidien further up on Madison is also good for bread/pastry/sandwiches.

Orsay is also a good lunch place as is Cafe Sabarsky at the Neue Museum on 86th & Fifth (the museum galleries are only open Thurs-Sun but the rest. is open every day I think).

Serafina on Madison & 79th up a flight of stairs has great thin crust pizza etc. Erminia is a very romantic, small, quiet neighborhood Italian. For more activity, Elio's (also Italian) is where a lot of the power brokers in the neighborhood go.

There are a few coffee shops nearby on Madison. I think there's one near 79th but I prefer the one at 81st.

E.A.T. is an institution. It's a very overpriced deli type place but food is good, although not a lot of ambiance. Their gift shop is very popular.

These restaurant suggestions look great, and cover a wide range of casual to nice. Thank you so much, Mclaurie!

You're welcome If you're in the park and want to sit and relax, stop at the Boat House (closest entrance on 72nd) Nice spot for a drink, lunch etc. right in front of the pond with the rowboats (rent a row boat!)