The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

“Do Not Stay Here - Horrible Service and Outdated Rooms”

I’ve been staying at this hotel consistently for over 20 years. Unfortunately, this hotel has gone downhill fast and cannot compete with other properties (e.g., Baccarat, Four Seasons). Over my last few stays, I’ve experienced many service lapses, but to name a few: -Club Lounge employee got upset at me and my children, and started talking poorly and bashing their management in front of my family. This all stemmed from us asking what a certain food item was, because there were no signs. A few months later I noticed the employee is still there. -After a horrendous stay, I requested compensation in the form of Marriott points after a front desk manager reached out to me. Their response is attached - I’ll let you be the judge if this is 5 star Ritz Carlton service, or 2 Star Courtyard service. The GM apologized, saying this behavior is unacceptable and not tolerated……but that I would not receive anything as compensation (unless I wanted to pay for a return visit, which I was told would “exceed all my expectations”)! I actually did return a few weeks later to take them up on that offer, and was pretty bummed when I found 2 ritz hats on my bed and a room upgrade. To put it mildly, the stay certainly did not exceed my expectations. The rooms are in generally bad condition. For example, in the Superior room I was in several months ago, there was a huge tear in the leather bed and hair in the bathroom. In the suite I was in recently, the chair in the living room had gross, old food stuck between the cushion and the side of the chair. When I flipped the seat over, the other side was also dirty. This was in a room going for easily over 4k on some nights. Totally unacceptable. The front desk is generally very poor at this hotel - I’ve only had a few nice interactions with front desk employees during the 40+ stays I’ve had at this hotel. There are some fantastic employees who I have known for many years, but overall the hotel is not up to par and certainly not worth the prices they charge. The one positive: the location is superb. Stay elsewhere!

“Oddly Frustrating Stay”

Let's start with the positives: the RC Central Park is impeccably located. Can't do much better than 59th St at 6th Ave. The staff are well trained and courteous, even opening the doors in unison. The hotel feels exclusive and intimate; this is not The Plaza with tourists running around. However, there are problems. I booked one night at a club level room. At check-in the agent claimed I had not booked a club room, thinking I was expecting lounge access due to my Marriott status (I am titanium elite). Having stayed at a few Ritz-Carltons, I know the drill about booking club rooms separately. He doubled down on this until I emailed my reservation proving I had booked club access. I understand mistakes happen, but for a property charging eye-watering room rates, you expect these details to be triple and quadruple checked. Furthermore, I was charged $30 for a suit press that was supposed to be provided complimentary with a club room. After calling the hotel, being put through to voicemail promising a 24 hour response and never receiving one, I finally got ahold of the manager who granted me a $100 credit for my stay. I'm fine with the resolution, but all of this ring and roll felt unnecessary and surprising for a supposedly world class hotel. On top of this, nothing about the common areas, room, or view tempted me to return. The park view for at least the first ten floors goes for little when you are just staring at pedestrians. I had a considerably better view six blocks over at the Sheraton. The room was fine, but lacking the modern control panel amenity at the St. Regis (for lights, alerting maid, privacy etc.) and it was oppressively dark. The bathtub, cramped into a corner between the shower and sink, has someone 6 feet and over folded in half. Bed was comfortable and I liked the straight on view of the television with seating area in-between, but ceilings are low and everything felt small. Great hotels in NY are a needle in a haystack, and this one does not earn the reputation it has.

“Typical”

location door man opposite the park so it was amazing morning walk and making nice excircles NO SPA ! restaurants all around corner difficult to get uber coffee at lobby in morning

no coffee or tea pots in room ! basic staff in mini bar should be there ! water to be served at rooms

“Nice few days in NYC”

So this was my first trip to NY in many years and I decided to splurge on a park view room at the ritz. Overall the experience was excellent. The club lounge came in handy. The room was very comfortable (although the light switches were a little confusing). Room service was very good. Overall service was excellent with a few minor issues that were manageable. I’ll stay here again soon.