THE FACTS ABOUT THE ST REGIS

USA New_York

With its grand and gilded interiors, The St Regis attracts an unashamedly rich clientele, the kind who deposit black Amexes on reception with a thud of Tiffany rocks. The hotel is in no way vulgar or fake; but don't expect charming subtleties. Nearly a third of the 315 guest rooms are suites, ranging from 430sq ft to 3,400sq ft. The mid-range Madison Suite, for example, costs $1,600 a night. It overlooks Madison Avenue and 55th Street and has a private lobby, high ceilings, a huge drawing room with a study area, his-and-hers bathrooms, and a bedroom so vast that you almost can't be bothered to cross the room to answer the door. The hotel is steps from Saks Fifth Avenue and in sight of Bergdorf Goodman, yet remains blissfully quiet (the small lobby is also blessedly free of tourists - a scourge of The Plaza a few blocks north). The service is known to be slightly chilly; but since there has been a change in general manager, things could have improved. The spa is very good and offers Carita treatments; there are steam rooms and a serious gym (the exercise machines have individual TV monitors and DVD players). The hotel also has history: the Beaux Arts building dates from 1904; the Bloody Mary was invented here by bartender Fernand Petiot in 1934; Marlene Dietrich once lived here, as did Salvador Dalí. However, since Astor Court replaced L'Espinasse as the hotel's principal restaurant, the gourmand following has tailed off (come for afternoon tea instead). A butler is assigned to each floor, and two garments can be pressed without charge on arrival; they're nice touches, but when you're spending this much (the cheapest double costs $610 per night), you might expect a little more soul to warm up those acres of marble, Limoges china and original Waterford chandeliers. CONTACT The St Regis, 2 East 55th Street at Fifth Avenue (00 1 212 753 4500; fax: 787 3447; www.stregis.com). Doubles from $695; suites from $1,256