The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

FAMOUS HOTEL MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE

• What did you like most?
  We wanted to splurge one night in NY, for our 46th anniversary. ( The Carlyle documentary dvd is a favourite of ours.) We normally stay in the Theatre district as we watch a lot of shows. The concierge, Diana, with whom I corresponded, was very thoughtful to send a Bemelman’s Manhattan bottle with tasty hors d’oeuvres. The aides who met us outside, who helped bring our luggage in and got us taxis were very kind. The room was spacious and quiet. Housekeeping brought us large mugs and a tea kettle for our morning tea. Bemelman’s itself is a gem, we loved again the convivial hospitality and service, and enjoyed the piano player.
• Was there anything you didn't like?
  I realize that checkin is 3pm. When the kind concierge wrote me, “I will note your early arrival and we will make every effort to have the room ready by noon,” I believed it. The desk clerk informed me it was a housekeeping priority to have that room ready. It wasn’t. As I have a bad knee, we just sat there waiting until after 1, then went for lunch. I questioned when our room might be ready, and was told it wasn’t the concierge who decided these things, but the housekeeping. Huh? Though I was told by this desk clerk I would get a call/text on my cell, when the room was ready, which number we confirmed, we never got same. Finally, at 2:30 I wandered back to the desk to be told I had been called/texted, whatever, but I hadn’t been. “I am sorry” just goes so far. We wondered if my surprise for my husband, costing 3 times what we normally pay for an equally sized room in NY, was indeed not for us. And though we easily paid $350 for drinks and a one course meal in lovely Bemelman’s, the $61 for the smallest steak tartare we have ever received was rather annoying.

• What did you like most?
  The staff is amazing, so helpful and nice. Great location. Quiet elegance. THE BEST.
• Was there anything you didn't like?
  Nothing.