Where should I start?! This place was simply magnificent. The friendly staff, the unparalleled views from the 39th floor, the luxury of our (upgraded) room, the location. I can keep on going.
We checked in late evening and were offered complimentary drinks at the check-in desk. The gentleman who checked us in informed us that due to the fact that we booked with AMEX Plat and were also SPG Gold member, we had been upgraded. I was already aware that we'd get the complimentary upgrade, but I didn't know they'd bump us up 4 times to the Grand Luxury Suite! Talk about a surprise :)
We were walked to the elevator and informed that our butler would be waiting for us upstairs. Sure enough, Nidal was at the door waiting for us and showed us all the features the beautiful room had to offer, although, honestly, we couldn't get past the 270 degree sweeping views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. WOW!
So apparently, the St. Regis offers a 24-hr complimentary hot beverage service, and an unpacking and packing service, too. We made full use of the beverage service, but didn't feel like we wanted to get too, too pampered and opted not to try the latter :)
It was my wife's birthday and so I had requested for some flowers and cake, and when we entered I thought, ah maybe they forgot, no biggie. Then the bell rang and in came Nidal and Fatima with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a delicious red velvet cake and a platter of chocolate dipped strawberries. Again, it was wonderful. We almost felt overwhelmed.
The room, on the 39th floor, was comfortable to say the very least, very well appointed and had everything we needed. The only minor gripe I might have is that there really wasn't a spot to put a large suitcase, it was just at the entrance. But honestly, if this is my biggest gripe - I'm a happy man :) The views, again, were spectacular. We sat late in the night after the kids had gone to sleep, quietly basking in the glow of the lit city below. Oh yeah, then we pressed a button and the curtains closed automatically :)
The bathroom was excellent, with another minor issue that the shower leaked out into the main floor, but maybe I just took a really long shower. The little embedded TV in the mirror was really sweet ... the kids thought it was awesome they could watch their cartoons while getting ready in the morning.
The breakfast was very good for what was on offer, although I had slightly higher expectations after experiencing the room. The selection was great, but I would have expected something on a grander scale. Again, nothing that detracts from our experience, it really doesn't. We enjoyed breakfast on our trip, the staff was exceptional and we loved the ambiance of the dining area.
I can really keep on going about how wonderful this property is, but I'll cut to the point: if you're still thinking where to stay, and this place is in your budget, it's an absolute no-brainer. You will not be disappointed.