MY STAY
Old Midtown rituals
The St. Regis New York had old Midtown rituals I wanted to enjoy, from the champagne ceremony to a drink at the King Cole Bar. A good butler could make arriving feel unhurried, helping with the bags and settling the room without a long performance about service.
Bedroom faults
The bedroom itself needed attention. A dark suite would not make up for a poor view, and an air-conditioning or shower fault that took days to fix was more than an old-building quirk. One leak even reached the room below; fixing it mattered more than another formal welcome. I checked the bathroom and window early rather than let a problem shape the stay.
Butler coffee & charges
I liked the sound of butler coffee as a morning routine until the details of what was included became unclear. Two cappuccinos have added $50 to a bill despite an expectation of complimentary coffee. A queue behind a rope at the King Cole Bar was another reminder that staying upstairs did not always mean a table was waiting below.
Would I return?
The old Midtown character would bring me back only when the room and everyday butler help measured up. Confirming the actual room, the butler's inclusions and any special dinner felt much more useful than trusting the old-world ceremony to handle everything.