I do look upon my Back Room experience with humor . Esp the ice cream dessert. Re the server, I have decided that it's just due to inexperience. She was young, a bit stiff, probably hasn't had much exposure to guests who deviate from the menu with special requests. She was trying to be helpful. Poise in serving is learned with experience measured in years.

The greeter though is just inexcusable, on autopilot. Whatever I said went out the other ear. When I say it's like being greeted at a generic NY bar, that's what I mean, that everyone's just out for revenue. They don't make a distinction if you are staying at the hotel. Luckily the tables in the Back Room are quite generously spaced, but then I wouldn't expect anything less.

The missing bathroom clock - I saw that coming last year, because the clock is pretty and would easily make a nice souvenir. I didn't try asking for another one to be placed.

Our turn down and room service experiences were very good. I had also asked for a nightcap of sherry and Irish whiskey to be delivered at a certain time, and it was well executed.

The PH has 210 rooms - not that large. I don't mind that the Living Room can get busy at times. The energy is nice, as I do go to NYC for that. I love their champagne theme. The smaller sitting room facing reception is the quieter space, which is fine with me. Although I think it's very weird that they have the guest computer and printer here, where you have to remain standing the whole time and the screen has no privacy. I view this as an architect fail.

I don't know the proportion of Park King to other rooms, but I understand there are not that many. Therefore, the Park Deluxe King are probably the rooms that are available anyway. Then they tout it as an upgrade on a technicality. (Was it planned that way?) Some random paying non status visitor who doesn't ask for an upgrade probably gets the Park King. So yes, I do agree that Diamonds and Plats are shortchanged re the room compared to other hotels. Just my observation. Will it change as the buzz settles down? Once the next new hotel opens? That is what many here think.

Checking the bill on the morning of - I was expecting the breakfast charges to be messed up from the feedback here. It did take a while. But also I was alone. Would I feel the same if I had to wait in line to fix it? If I got some attitude?

I'll repeat something I said last year, which is, everybody seems really young, inexperienced, not exactly exuding confidence and efficiency. And as someone said, not that empowered.

Yes I agree there should be no difference between using cash or points. We certainly didn't skimp on room charges.

A large part of the enjoyment of the stay is indeed in the hardware. They might suffer if they haven't improved by the time the building ages and maintenance issues pop up. In the meantime, the rooms are new enough to satisfy.