Staying at the Four Seasons Pierre Hotel
I was treated to this grand hotel while on a business trip to NYC back in December of 2003. This was my first stay in NYC accommodations, and my impressions were mixed. As I entered the lobby from the entrance on 61st street, I was surprised by how small it was. I guess I am used to the larger chain hotels where the lobby is the main focus. Here it seemed like a long hallway with a tiny check-in area.Even though I was at the hotel by 4pm, I still had to wait, as the room was not ready. I ended up taking a quick walk around the block to familiarize myself with the area. Forty-five minutes later, I was allowed into the room.
As I rode the elevator to the 15th floor, I reflected on the ornate baroque style of the hotel: chandeliers, columns, and chintz everywhere. It certainly looked fancy enough to impress this out-of-towner. It looked like old money stayed here often. I stepped off onto my floor, made a right, and walked all the way to the last room on the right. As I entered, I was a little disappointed, as the room was ordinary. It had two twin beds, a TV stand/dresser, and a desk. The bathroom was done in black-and-white Art Deco tile and was a little on the small size. The closet was roomy enough, as I was only staying a couple of nights. What got me, though, was the price. I was not aware of the cost of the accommodations, as my company had booked the room, but inside the closet door hung a complete list of room rates – $585 per night for my room. HOLY COW!!!! I have never stayed anywhere that expensive. I looked towards the heavily draped window and hoped to be overlooking Central Park, but instead, I was looking at an alley and the building next door. Looking across, it looked like I was overlooking a sweatshop that was closed for the day. Numerous sewing machines were setup in the small area I could see. Not very impressive, but hey, it was free.
For breakfast one day, I decided to eat at the main restaurant, Café Pierre, with one of my colleagues, Carolyn. As I entered the first of two sitting areas, I was impressed by how quiet it was even though filled with hotel guests, old-time locals, and businessmen holding early morning meetings. I decided on regular bacon and eggs, and Carolyn had pancakes. The food was good, but the bill was killer at about $50 for the two of us for breakfast. That was the only meal we had at the hotel during our stay.
The beds were comfortable, the shower was hot, and the service was great. Rooms were clean; food was good, if pricey; and access was easy. While it was a treat to stay courtesy of my company, I don’t think I would stay here on my own.
Tags: new york city, Travel
samlawali