I've stayed at The Regency On Park Avenue too many times to count, and I've always enjoyed the hotel, even with minor quibbles. My stays are the result of business trips. I've noticed that Loew's, which owns the hotel, has placed its name in a more prominent place alongside the words The Regency Hotel. This month my stay was for one night, over Thursday and Friday,
I rarely think of Loew's as a luxury-oriented chain, and I think that's the reason things are not as terrific as they once were at The Regency.
The bathroom toiletries are less deluxe; seemingly Loew's generic; whereas The Regency used to provide high-end toiletries. The towels are still good; the bath towel is especially fluffy and large.
I was stunned to hear, at around 8 a.m. Friday morning, women from Housekeeping knocking on doors on my floor. That's absurd and much too early. This never happened as recently as 2005. And it should not happen at all. The woman tapped on my door and I ignored it. She even tried the door, but the extra "chain-like" security catch was linked, so she couldn't get in.
The Reception Desk personnel were friendly, but not quite deluxe. I did not avail myself of the Concierge. The various uniformed gentlemen at the front door were always friendly and provided greetings. They were a little understaffed on Friday afternoon when I needed to get a cab to the airport.
The bed was good; the air conditioning/heat fan system worked well. The room was quiet, clean, and pleasant. It was a standard room consisting of a very large and comfortable bed, crisp sheets, dresser, mini-bar (yes, nuttily overpriced), desk, and good size closet. The carpet was fine, although a cosmetic cleaning wouldn't hurt. The view out my 12th floor window was pleasing. I was away from Park Avenue, so the silence was golden.
My biggest complaint was with Room Service, which actually blamed a longer waiting period on - get this - the fact that it was raining outside. What? Were they sending out for the food? Food was promised in one hour - ridiculous since the kitchen knows the menu and the foodstuffs are on the premesis. I've always found 30 minutes to be the norm at high-end hotels. I ordered Room Service at around 9:30 p.m.
As for the food, well it failed. I ordered a bacon and turkey club sandwich, but it really wasn't a club sandwich at all, but two very large slices of toasted Italian bread with the dull and lifeless sandwich items within. The bread was too thin, thus it was hardish. The sandwich was cut in two sections and was more a panini than a club. My French fries were coolish. Is it so difficult to provide HOT French fries. And I hate cold or cool French fries. The sorbet was fine, well-chilled in a bowl set over ice; therefore it didn't melt as I hate my entree. The chicken soup was good, but not plentiful. And, of course, there was the absurd "delivery fee," which I have found, still find, and always will find offensive. Are we able to go down and get the food ourselves? It isn't called ROOM SERVICE for nothing. This fee is actually an insult. I don't mind the normal 16%, 17%, or 18% tip fee - you live with it, but this delivery fee is so tacky.
The Regency has a great location with quick steps to Madison or Fifth Avenue. One big problem is that if you want your own "corner store" or "deli" service, you won't fnd any along this stretch of Park Avenue or even a block up on Madison. I tried. You'll need to walk over to Lexington or maybe Third. The shops on Madison begin their high-end run, with Barney's anchoring a corner. The Regency is around 62nd Street and Park.
Look, I consider myself fortunate that my work allows me stay in deluxe hotels. There are people who never even travel, let alone get to stay so well around the country. But, hotels that promise luxury need to live up to that claim. The Regency is slipping. My room was clean and pleasant. But overall, the hotel itself needs a little boost. High-end means luxury. And that's what I used to expect and once received from The Regency. It should make a return. Better toiletries in the bathroom would be a start. This stay was average, not wonderful. Definitely not Four Seasons style.
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