I've used MR certificates at Ritz a few times but have always been led to believe that the Central Park hotel is simply too hard to get. It is definitely capacity controlled.

I also have access to other Ritz Certificates thru my business purchases. We have received what are called Prestige Club awards which gets you, obviously, a Club Level room but it clearly excludes the Ritz Central Park so I assumed I was not going to succeed with the basic Marriott award. Happy to say, I was wrong!

BTW, got an email that said I could upgrade to club level for $100 per night. That, to me, is an incredible deal that I immediately accepted.

Thanks to all for you good wishes.