5 Reasons to See the St. Regis New York's Transformation Now
Last week, I had the privilege of joining some of my Brownell colleagues for a site tour and lunch at the St. Regis New York (www.stregisnewyork.com), hosted by Mary Gallo, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Account Director, Global Leisure & Luxury Sales and Selene Di Flamminio, St. Regis New York Leisure Sales Manager. If you haven’t seen the St. Regis New York recently, you are missing out on one of the most incredible transformations of an iconic New York City hotel that is nothing less than stunning! Here are 5 reasons (and an extra one for a bonus) why you should see the transformation yourself - and soon!
1. Location, Location, Location. Okay, so the location obviously hasn't changed - the St. Regis New York remains in the heart of mid-town New York City with access to everything the city has to offer, with world-class theater, museums, dining and Central Park all within walking distance – not to mention one of the world’s greatest shopping meccas – 5th Avenue – right at your doorstep. But, what is different is the subtle restoration of the exterior of the hotel that almost would have gone unnoticed had it not been pointed out to us. But, after looking more closely, the hotel looks shinier, more pristine than ever, and every little gorgeous, ornate detail shows.
2. Beautifully Redesigned Guestrooms. A multi-million dollar under-the-radar renovation undertaken over a period of about 4 years has restored the intricate historic details of the hotel while adding a refreshing new look to the guest rooms, which I would describe as traditional Park Avenue residential with a contemporary flair. Even the smallest guest rooms, in the Superior category, are large, especially for New York City standards, at 430 sq. ft., and they feel quite spacious with custom furnishings, plush king-size beds and luxurious marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and separate rain showers in most rooms.
The fabrics are sophisticated and vivid, in deep blues, vibrant aubergines and rich reds. Suites, which start at 600 sq. ft. feel like a super-elite city apartment with plenty of room to stretch out and relax, entertain and get work done at the large Louis XVI desks. Even the hallways have been given an upgrade - you feel like you are in a special place walking through those posh spaces.
The St. Regis designer suites are exquisite – the Tiffany Suite features a formal dining room in “Tiffany Blue”, with additional designer suites in the style of Dior, Bentley and Milano, which embody the aesthetic of their namesakes. All rooms at this property come with signature St. Regis butler service, which is a luxury all in itself – imagine having your suitcase unpacked and your clothes neatly hung and folded – butlers even let you know exactly where they’ve placed your things by leaving the closet slightly ajar or a draw open just a tad!
3. Sophisticated, Comfortable Public Spaces. After our tour, we were treated to a lovely lunch at Astor Court, a lovely, bright, yet intimate dining room just opposite the famous King Cole Bar, where the Bloody Mary was introduced to America. We were shown to a beautifully set table with 2 large antipasti platters, bread and, of course, Bloody Marys. At Astor Court, the tables are very well spaced and even though the restaurant was busy, we could not hear any of the other diners conversing and we were easily able to talk among our group of 8. What a lovely way to top off the day!
4. The Infamous King Cole Bar & Salon and the Exclusive Table 55. While the King Cole hasn't changed in a significant way, the mural behind the bar has been meticulously restored after being subjected to years and years and years of cigarette smoke until a city-wide ban on smoking in most public places went into effect in 2003. The mural now looks like it was freshly painted and brand new, adding a level of vibrancy to the ambiance of the room. Oh, and if you don't know the inside joke behind the mural, give me a call or shoot me an email and I'll share it with you!
Table 55 is new - and tucked away in a quiet corner of the bar, it is the only table with access to a custom crafted chef's menu and select wine list from the hotel’s coveted cellar. The table is set with elaborate tableware from Christofle and Bernadaud. Just up to 4 lucky patrons have the opportunity to experience Table 55 each night.
5. Fantastic Offers that Make the St. Regis New York a Great Value. Exciting offers for those that would like to experience the changes to this landmark hotel result in a great value for the money, especially in New York City. As Brownell Travel (www.brownelltravel.com) is a member of Starwood’s Luxury Privileges program, booking through Joanne at Smith Luxury Travel (joanne@smithluxurytravel.com) is accompanied by such amenities as an upgrade at time of booking (up to the Astor Suite category), complimentary continental breakfast for two people per guest room, a $100 Food & Beverage credit and early check-in/late check-out, based upon availability. Other optional amenities include afternoon tea for two at the King Cole Bar & Salon. Until September, 2016, the St. Regis has a Stay 3, Pay 2 offer (restrictions and blackout dates apply) that, when combined with Luxury Privileges or Virtuoso amenities, is one of the best values in New York City, with rooms starting at $745 per night (below $500 when applying the 3rd night free)! And, if you book a 1 Bedroom Deluxe, Madison or St. Regis Suite at the RACK rate, you will pay only $4 (yes, that is FOUR) for the second night - which was the original price of a room at this hotel in 1904 when it opened!
As an extra bonus reason to come and stay - there are few places where you have the luxury of being transported to your morning meeting, dinner reservation or Broadway play in a Bentley - the St. Regis' house cars, which are available to all guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Now that is being treated like the VIP guest that you are!
