Your wallet allowing, it's easy to pretend in this jewel of The Ritz-Carlton crown that you are—at least for your stay—royalty.
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The
intention is highly visible: hoist up a boutique hotel atop The
Ritz-Carlton's luxurious collection of establishments by taking
a 33-story building with a beautiful, historical façade overlooking
Central Park and boasting 700 rooms. Strip it from its content and
finish it with 237 guest rooms and 40 suites, in addition to 11
luxury residences. The feel of the past stays on with paintings
of Samuel Halpert among other traces of yesterday, and the addition
of modern creature comforts—such as oversized (for New York)
marbled bathrooms—is welcome. 
The
spacious guest rooms are entirely sound proof and lavishly furnished
with custom-designed drapes and upholstery in taupe, pale rose
and topaz tones, and guests have their choice of four different
pillows. A telescope allows you to scrutinize in detail the
superb view of the park. While indulging in the bath with the
top-notch amenities of Fredéric Fekkai, listen to the
sophisticated Bang & Olufsen stereo (in suites) and, as
you dry off in one of your two bathrobes, start the home cinema
system by viewing the complimentary award-winning DVD with beautiful
images of Central Park. Thirsty? The mini-bar suggests a half-bottle
of Dominus; you got it: nothing but the best. 
Why
would you ever leave the princely arrangement of your room?
Maybe to visit La Prairie, the Swiss spa where relaxation and
rejuvenation are the key words. Six treatment rooms cater to
all needs, offering jet lag therapy, facials and time-compressed
treatments for executives. If you are adventurous enough to
go shopping Mid-Town or to the theater at nearby Lincoln center,
the Bentley hotel limousine awaits you—free of charge.
For the ultimate in comfort and attention, relax at The Ritz-Carlton
Club (free for suites; $150), where six exemplary foods and
beverage are served daily and guests have access to Club concierges
and butlers. At The Star Lounge, enjoy cocktails and conversation
(or afternoon tea) at a traditional stand-up bar. Be certain to visit BLT Market, where visitors are treated to seasonal creations from
Chef Laurent Tourondel for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekeend brunch.
Lost
with your computer? Call the “technology butler,”
a première in the cyber world available in the Business
Center or simply hook up your laptop via the ADSL line in your
room for a nominal daily fee. If you think it's difficult to
imagine a more comprehensive cocooning, you're wrong. Allow
the guest relations manager to make a “pre-call”
to avoid the check-in chore. As your taxi—or your stagecoach
should we say?—pulls up to the curb, a manager will whisk
you to your room without having to stop in the onyx-paved lobby.
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