The Hotel 

*It was one of those picture-perfect spring days in New York. I walked out of Penn Station and was surprised at how nice Manhattan looked - crisp and clean. The sky was bright blue, everyone seemed to be in a good mood, no line for a taxi... I couldn't ask for more. I rode north to Central Park and 6th Avenue to the recently re-opened Ritz-Carlton^® New York, Central Park. I was immediately greeted by the doormen and escorted to the check-in desk. It was early in the morning, and I knew my room would not be ready yet. However, I wanted to drop off my luggage and take advantage of the beautiful day. That's just what I did. I walked for hours - a little bit in Central Park, a lot down 5th Avenue. 

I returned to the hotel in the afternoon. As I walked in, Pamela greeted me and escorted me to the desk so I could pick up my key and then showed me to my room. As she opened the door, Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" was appropriately playing on the CD player (see other CDs available in the room below). Pamela introduced me to all of the amenities that the large (425 s.f.) room had to offer and then left me to relax. The features included: 

• Interior courtyard view with soundproof windows
• Luxurious bed with feather bed, seven pillows including a selection of four distinct types of pillows and custom Frette 300-thread-count linens
• Marble soaking tub with separate shower stall
• Choice of terry or linen bathrobes by Frette
• Luxurious Frédéric Fekkai bath amenities
• DVD player and library of all Academy Award-winning films
• 27-inch flat screen television
• Four multi-line cordless telephones with voicemail and data line capabilities
• High-speed Internet access with STSN connections
• Data port and fax hook-up
• In-room safe that accommodates a laptop
• Overnight laundry and dry cleaning service
• Complimentary morning newspaper of choice

It was a lovely, plush, comfortable, quiet room, but I had my eye on the deep soaking tub. After all, I had been walking all day and my feet were tired. After visiting many, many spas over the years, I have become an expert in taking a relaxing bath. Everything I needed to have the perfect bath was there: soft music; a deep tub; lights that dimmed; candles (and matches!); neck pillow; bath salts; sea sponge; soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion (Frédéric Fekkai); and an easy-to-read, interesting book (Give It Some Thought: Quotes to Remember, Questions to Ponder) on a movable shelf spanning the tub. When I had soaked enough, I got out, dried off, put on a Frette terry robe and got in bed. The hotel offers DVDs of every movie that has won an Oscar for best picture (see list below). I had just returned from Scotland the day before arriving in New York and had stayed in St. Andrews where they had filmed "Chariots of Fire" so had planned to watch that. However, I was so relaxed from the bath, I fell asleep without working out in the Fitness Center, having dinner or watching a movie. 

If you are interested in having a more indulgent bath, the Ritz-Carlton^® offers a Bath Butler who can prepare one of three fabulous baths in your room:

Milk Bath: Slip into a truly indulgent treat that is reminiscent of sweet cream. This soft and comforting treatment for the skin envelops all the senses, using a combination of exfoliation, aromatic bath teas, bath salts, shower lotion and bee soap. While relaxing in the glow of candle light, enjoy chilled Bailey's Irish Cream and white chocolate truffles.
Chanvre Bath: A natural and therapeutic soak that calms the senses. This bath combines the sensuous scents of musk and birch mingled with the romance of Lily of the Valley and Rose. The trace addition of extracts of hemp oil provides restorative antioxidant benefits. Let the warmth penetrate as you enjoy a glass of chardonnay and nibble on grapes.
Old Fashioned Rose Bath: A decadent old world favorite. The delicacy of rose petals, the softness of a scent that lingers long after, the tingling of champagne and the tartness of fresh strawberries.

 

Other thoughtful touches I found in the room included: a Frette lavender candle in the bedside drawer; a nice selection of books (see below); a sachet hanging in the closet; a clothes brush and shoe horn; a cedar shoe box for complimentary evening shoeshine service; shoe polish; bath amenities in addition to those I mentioned already - Scope, Woolite, a sewing kit, a hair dryer, collar stays, shower cap, comb, cotton pads, and Q-tips. Of course, if you need anything not in the room, all you have to do is ask.

One other service that The Ritz-Carlton^® New York, Central Park offers and I didn't take advantage of is a complimentary Bentley limousine service in midtown from 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.. 

The service The Ritz-Carlton^® New York, Central Park offers that I did take advantage of was the Spa.

The Spa 

*La Prairie at The Ritz-Carlton^® Spa, the first La Prairie spa in the United States, was in its third week of operation when I visited. In its short life, it had already provided services to many hotel guests and a growing number of local clients. You would never know that it hadn't been there for years. Everything ran smoothly and calmly. 

I checked in at the reception desk and was escorted to the Women's Changing Room. I exchanged my clothes for slippers and a Frette robe and left my jewelry in a small silver box inside the locker. I could have had a steam but chose to relax in the Relaxation Room and enjoy the fruit juice, fruit plate and pastries (not spa cuisine but delicious!).

*Jennifer came in and asked me what music I would like to listen to. There were about 50 CDs to choose from nicely displayed in a basket (see below). I usually listen to New Age but thought I would try Classical this time. After all, my daughter is studying classical piano at college, and I have heard her play some wonderful Chopin pieces. There was a Chopin CD in the basket. I picked it up and gave it to Jennifer without reading the selections. 

There are six treatment rooms in the spa. Three of the treatment rooms are massage rooms. One has a shower for body treatments. They all have electronically adjustable, heated treatment tables. There is also a room for manicures and pedicures. Only one treatment room has a window. 

*I had been scheduled for a La Prairie facial. Jennifer invited me to come into the treatment room and get on the table. This happened to be the treatment room with the window. I could hear street noises which is interesting since the window in my guest room was sound-insulated and the room was very quiet. However, Chopin was playing and it masked most of the outside noise. I settled in, and Jennifer placed a scented eye pillow on my eyes (which I got to keep) and examined my skin under a bright light. Sensitive and dry was the verdict (not surprising since I had been on a cross-Atlantic flight two days prior to this visit). Jennifer chose a "drenching" facial for me. I later asked for the steps in the facial. They are as follows:

1. Desensitizing cleanser

2. Refining lotion as a toner

3. Enzyme exfoliant which was creamy (no granules)

4. Hydrating serum

*It was about this point in the treatment that The Death March came on the CD. Instead of stopping it and asking for a new CD as I should have done, I listened to the whole thing - kind of morbidly fascinated with it. It was not exactly relaxing, but kind of funny. What I didn't realize then was it was Chopin SONATAS that I had heard my daughter playing. Back to the facial...

5. Cellular cycle ampule that deeply penetrates the skin followed by a massage that makes it more effective

6. Moisture mask

During the mask, Jennifer massaged my neck and shoulders. She said that I was "one tense lady." I have no doubt that was due to my choice in music. However, I'm sure it was a better choice for me than AC/DC (story to follow).

7. Caviar revitalizing eye pads - take away puffiness and tiredness in eyes

At this point, Jennifer put something on my eyes that made them feel refreshed immediately. "What is that?," I asked. "Caviar." she replied. "Everyone likes this part." 

8. Hand massage with essential exfoliator with apricot grain followed by a buffing oil with a soothing lotion and hand warmers

9. Retexturizing booster, a buffered glycolic to exfoliate to minimize hyper pigmentation (which, sadly, has started to appear around my eyes, the product of age and too much time in the sun without effective sun screen)
10. Smart Cream with SPF 15, a lifting moisturizer with sunblock
11. Lip treatment with SPF 15
12. Eye contour cream
13. Sensitizing serum to bring down pinkness
14. Soohing Mist - lightly scented and soothing

When the facial was over, my skin felt soft, smooth and moist. Jennifer recommended a follow-up routine which I have actually followed in the months since that excellent facial.

While there is a large selection of CDs to relax to, if you have a specific request that the spa doesn't have in the basket, they will send out for it. According to Jennifer, one client could only relax to AC/DC. There was no AC/DC in the basket. Not a problem! It was playing by the time the treatment started.   

One couple wanted a special way to celebrate their engagement. The spa blocked off the Relaxation Room for their use, brought in champagne and provided couples treatments. While this is not on the spa menu, the spa is very accommodating and will do what it can to provide the experience you are looking for.

La Prairie at The Ritz-Carlton^® Spa offers an extensive selection of treatments. Among them are the Manhattan Minutes, selections targeted to the city experience: "Never enough time to indulge yourself? Who knows more about time than the Swiss. La Prairie at The Ritz-Carlton Spa offers you instant gratification. For the tired traveler, the busy business person, the shop-till-you-drop visitor, the overnight guest with a million sights to see before sundown, we’ve developed a potpourri of restorative pleasures you can enjoy in record time. Designed to maximize your time and minimize your fatigue level, we call them Manhattan Minutes. You’ll call them a little piece of paradise." 

Finally, when you need time alone and just don’t want to go anywhere, La Prairie at The Ritz-Carlton^® Spa will bring the Spa to you. You can enjoy an array of luxurious services in the privacy of your own room.