The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

We love small, independent hotels, but you’ve got to hand it to the big chains once in a while. It takes a staggering amount of dedicated effort to build a brand up to the point where “Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park” tells you just about everything you could possibly wish to know about a hotel.

Expect classic bygone-era opulence, with old-school professional service that matches the décor, and a location that’s difficult to top: it’s right on Central Park South, with an unbroken view of the park, within a few blocks of a fair bit of the world’s best shopping and sightseeing.

Inside it’s as splendid as you’d expect one of the Ritz-Carlton’s New York flagships to be, with some of the biggest rooms in town, decorated in an antique Continental style. They’ve got low-tech luxuries as well as high-tech essentials: fine linens, marble baths, Frédéric Fekkai amenities, DVD players as well as technology butlers to keep it all working seamlessly. There’s a La Prairie spa for all your pampering needs, and the Star Lounge serves cocktails and the trademark Ritz-Carlton afternoon tea. And the restaurant is a step up from the usual luxury-hotel fare — it’s an outpost of Laurent Tourondel’s BLT market.

The Spa
La Prairie’s upscale amenities include everything from toothbrushes to irons in the locker rooms, as well as complimentary beverages ranging from tea to champagne. Should you prefer to listen to a specific type of music while in the waiting room, La Prairie will provide you with an ipod and a list of music to choose from. Gift cards are a hit at this luxurious meets elegant spa.

Treatment: Luxurious
Massage Types: Custom, Deep, Swedish, Pre-natal
Open to Public: Yes
Offers in-room services: Yes
Prices: High-End
Products: La Prairi
Hair Services: No
Other Spa Features: Fitness Center open to hotel guests only with trainer available upon request, steam room