Carlyle Hotel

07/18/06

Old-school rules: Unparalleled class, comfort and service for generations of guests and residents.

by Sandra Ramani

With beautiful apartment-sized rooms, an understated vibe, unique furnishings and personalized service, it feels like home--and some lucky people do actually live here. Presidents, royalty and stars love it for its grace and discretion. The entire hotel was restored in 2001 by acclaimed designer Thierry W. Despont. Many of the 179 rooms and suites feature park views and terraces. Antique furnishings, twice-daily maid service and original Audubon, Piranesi or Kips artwork keep it classic; Frette linens, whirlpool tubs and in-room faxes and CD players nod to the present.

06/17/05

Good taste and timeless class

by cefe

My family visits the Carlyle each year and we always enjoy our stay. The suites are spacious and tastefully decorated. The service in exceptional, and the views of the park are a welcome perk. It is a convenient location for accessing the park and the shops along Madison and 5th avenues. There are some great restaurants in close proximity to the hotel as well. If you like the trendy scenes or wild nightlife then this is not the hotel for you, although it is a good place to spot the occassional celebrity.

• Pros: service, decor, bar
• Cons: price

06/07/05

The epitome of what good service should be

by sabine_farm

I took my wife to the Carlyle for her 35th birthday. The staff did an amazing job making us feel special. The food was wonderful, drinks in Bemelman's were wonderful, when you turn on the hurricane strength shower, you get hot water immediately, I could go on and on. The only bad thing about the Carlyle is that it has set the bar so high for other hotels, I don't know if I can travel again. Pricey, but it was worth every penny. We'll be back.

05/29/04

Many are called, few chosen

by yeaux

I have stayed at 4 star hotels all over this country and in Europe. I have been intermittently staying at the Carlyle since the 60's. The Carlyle is simply the best hotel that you can imagine. Go when Bobby Short is at Bemelman's. The service personnel are a little snooty since they will not know you, and the majority of the clientel are habitue's. If you are the type of person who is intimidated by service personnel, then perhaps this is not the hotel for you. Eat breakfast in the tearoom, but go elsewhere for dinner. I notice that there is a negative review on this site, but further investigation shows that this person likes bars[Rudys] with free hot dogs. There are no hot dogs, free or otherwise, at the Carlyle. This hotel is certainly not for everyone and it is not meant to be.

• Pros: class, style, taste

01/17/03

Pure Class

by ecarrott

A delightfully classy hotel. A throwback to when class meant something. And with Bobby Short as a regular at the Cafe Carlyle, nothing could be more perfect.

12/29/02

What's the fuss?

by drakesmith

This hotel with a past struck me as being past its sell by date. It reminded me of staying with an elderly aunt in her house that was past its prime. Stay here if you like looking up peoples' noses as most of the staff are looking down theirs at you!

The room was comfortable and had a view of the park but was by no means in the same league as, say, the Adlon in Berlin or the Lanesborough in London (which was, at the time of my stay a sister hotel.)

• Pros: location, room size, two closets!
• Cons: snotty staff, faded glory