USA – The Ritzy Traveler’s Diary

The Ritz-Carlton has long stood as a symbol of luxury—polished, pedigreed, and a touch particular about who qualified for it. A century ago, at the flagship in Boston, guests were quietly screened for the “right” background, Black patrons were unwelcome, and shockingly until as late as 1970, barred unescorted women from entering the Ritz Bar or lunching alone at The Café.  Times—and attitudes—have thankfully moved on.

Painting of the Roof top Garden Restaurant at Ritz Carlton, circa 1918

Cut to the present—where luxury has swapped stiff collars for softer smiles. To see how the Ritz-Carlton legend translates today, we turned to Jennifer Ann, our globe-trotting reader with a keen eye for both detail and drama. Last November, she checked into The Ritz-Carlton Battery Park, New York—and found it delightfully down-to-earth for a brand once known to measure social pedigree as closely as thread count.

Having earlier stayed at The Ritz-Carlton Mega Kuningan, Jakarta, and the sleek tower in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, Jennifer maps how the brand’s once guarded exclusivity has evolved into a more grounded, globally attuned version of luxury. But the mood? Lighter, warmer, and far less rehearsed.

Jennifer Ann At The Ritz Carlton Battery Park, New York
 November 2014

A telescope at my window focuses on the green visage of the Statue of Liberty, standing alone, with the waters of the Hudson River as the back drop. As I look out of the large windows of my spacious room, I can’t help but imagine the difficult life early settlers to the US must have had to endure after they disembarked at the Ellis Island checkpoints.A grand stand view and a spectacular location are the two staple features to be expected from most Ritz Carlton properties, and this one here in down town Manhattan is no exception. The blending grey shades of the sky and the waters of the river, the autumnal hues of the tree tops, the boats in the water – my travel fatigue drains away.

Telescopes in Statue of Liberty view rooms

The Statue of Liberty at night

Breakfast is a treat that I fully enjoy. Unlike many hotels, the breakfast here is not laid out as a buffet but can be personalized via their à la carte offerings, with options of having it sent up to my room (having ordered it the night before) or venture down to the restaurant. The two other meals I had at the hotel were equally delightful, as my palate got to savor the old favorites – pate de fois gras, fresh country bread and the most lip smacking lemon meringue tart. I also discovered, what was for me a new taste, Atlantic Char – a fish grilled to perfection that tasted something like salmon.

Overlooking the Hudson river from The Ritz Carlton

The staff was helpful and polite. The cosmopolitan nature of New York, in my case, was represented by Rahman, a Bangaldeshi guest services staff. I reveled momentarily, in having got this opportunity to be able to converse with him in Hindi, much to the surprise and delight of those around us. Unexpectedly encountering a familiar dialect from the mother country in a distant land can be such a balm.

Autum in New York

A Chocolate statue of Liberty in my room

We used the Board Room on the 14th Floor for an important meeting. This was a few levels higher than where my room was at, and once the mist and fog lifted, the view from the window was spectacular. My almost perfect stay at the Ritz Carlton, Battery Park was marred by the inefficient internet and phone connectivity on the 14th floor. If only this facility worked efficiently, it would’ve made our lives so much easier.  But all in all it was a good two-day trip. On the evening that I was to check out, a pleasant surprise arrived at the door. It was a most appealing chocolate formation in the shape of – you guessed right – a Statue of Liberty!

Over my years of travel I have enjoyed the hospitality of other hotels in the Ritz Carlton chain as well, such as the Ritz Carlton at Jakarta, Indonesia and the Ritz Carlton in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Ritz Carlton Jakarta Mega Kuningan Lobby

Ritz Carlton Mega Kuningan, Jakarta In Indonesia

The Jakarta property is huge, opulent and spacious. The most appealing aspect of this hotel for me was the ‘Ladies Only’ floor. Perish the thought if you expected to be accosted with the sight of professional women wandering around in hair rollers or bath robes, as it was all very elegant and proper. What I enjoyed most was that distinct feeling of camaraderie. The Sunday brunch was a special treat. Even if one did not indulge in the French bubbly, the smoked salmon pretty much made up for it. The hotel is located fairly close to many of the shopping plazas that Jakarta is so famous for, and it was possible to step out for a leisurely stroll.

Ritz Carlton, Golden Triangle, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

By comparison, The Kuala Lumpur Ritz Carlton is in the elegant heart of the bustling city. The rooms are comfortable but compact, unless of course you get lucky like I did. On one visit I got upgraded to a suite with the fancy butler and all the frills. I am not complaining. For anyone planning to stay at this hotel, a word of advice – please don’t step out till you have savored the buffet breakfast on the first floor. I would give an arm and a leg to be there once again just to dive into the delicious Eggs Benedict. I have never tasted better in any other part of the world and the proof is in tasting it.

I plan to visit the new Ritz Carlton in Bengaluru soon. I am sure it will be just as fine a place as the others.