I would think you are right Vuittonsofstyle on that score.
I think it would be fair to say that as a casualty of being an SPG Plat [a handy little hotel programme for business stays],I've had a few stays at the st Regis and they have all been faultless service wise.
So I'd be fairly confident that theres a consistency there.
Neither of those hotels would get my juices flowing either [in the I can't wait...I must stop everything to get there kind of way].

I honestly don't know what they were thinking with all the imitation gold and the purple lighting.
Based on this experience though,I'd think the plaza would offer the "middle to higher" discerning guest good value, Especially at the kind of rates around at the moment.We're off to the mandarin Oriental Riviera maya next which I expect will be an altogether higher plain experience

P.S have you tried the carter ?