The St. Regis Hotels & Resorts is a luxury hotel chain that’s part of the Marriott umbrella of hotel brands. The original St. Regis Hotel was founded in New York City in 1904 by John Jacob Astor IV. Starwood acquired the hotel in 1999 and began to open other high-end hotels under the St. Regis name. Starwood, of course, merged with Marriott in mid-2018, which made the St. Regis a Marriott property.
And I don’t want to stay in one.
Some people might be surprised about that because even though I generally have middle-of-the-road tastes (I’m perfectly happy in a Holiday Inn Express or a Hampton Inn), I can still totally enjoy myself when we stay at swanky places like the Waldorf=Astoria in NYC (just before it closed for a multi-year refurbishment) and in Key West, the Park Hyatt Washington D.C., or the St. Pancras Renaissance.
So what’s the difference between all of those fancy places and the equally as fancy St. Regis?
St. Regis comes with complimentary butler service.
PC: St. Regis
From their website: “Introduced at the St. Regis New York by John Jacob Astor IV, St. Regis Butler Service has remained a signature offering for more than a century. The anticipatory, personalized service of the St. Regis Butler ensures that each guest’s unique preferences are understood and realized at more than 40 hotels and resorts worldwide.”
Y’all, that’s just WAY TOO fancy for me, and I can’t even.
Maybe it’s because I was born “fun sized” and stayed that way (hello, 4’6″ adult!), but I have always been fiercely independent. I’m talking “to the point of being stubborn” kind of independence. I mean, it took years – YEARS! – before I let Joe carry my suitcase. So since I’m perfectly capable of unpacking and packing my own suitcase, getting my own soda/snacks (the latter gives me an excuse to explore), ironing my own clothes, making my own dinner or tour reservations, etc., I’d just as soon do it myself.
For whatever reason, I also tend to be a little bit on the, I dunno, “I am not worthy” side. So if someone asks me if I want something, my first instinct is to say no, so I won’t be a bother. So having a butler would mean him/her asking if there’s anything (s)he can do and I’d be like, “Nope, I’m good, thanks” (and then I’d go back to doing it myself because I’m stubbornly independent).
On top of that, I’m an introvert. Don’t talk to me, leave me alone, let me get comfortable around you and the situation, and eventually, I may become my regular wise-ass self. But until then, I’m going to avoid ANY interaction with a butler (and even then, I’d go back to doing it myself because I’m stubbornly independent).
I’m sure most people who have the opportunity to have a butler enjoy it immensely. I’m simply not “most people.” So the St. Regis? I’d love to walk through the lobby of any of them. But to stay there? No thanks, I’ll pass.
How about you? Have you ever had butler service at a hotel? What’d you think?
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6 comments
I’m about to have my first St Regis stay…. in Astana, Kazakhstan. After the Amex Plat Fine Hotels credit, I’m only paying $200 for 3 days… The smallest room is about 750 sqft. I can deal with that price (to be fair, a brand new Hampton Inn in town is only $50 a night). Plus they will take care of airport transportation, set up a driver and tour guide, and all that good stuff. Would I pay $1000 to stay in one for a night in the US? Absolutely not. I hate paying $150.
St Regus is nice in many places… NOT New York City! That hotel SUCKS! Super snobby and overpriced.
It’s just a regular hotel, but there is a button on the phone labeled “butler”. It does nothing more than connect you to their service line just like at any other hotel. You’re doing yourself a great disservice by avoiding St. Regis. Our stay at St. Regis Florence last year was simply magical. Every time our room was cleaned, we found a great gift (bottle of wine or box of chocolates) in our room.
(Comment edited by YMMV to comply with commenting rules)
I checked out of the St. Regis in Cairo yesterday, and it was wonderful. You don’t have to take advantage of the butlers. They are there, willing to help, but not at all intrusive. Even introverts would feel comfortable. Beyond that, the rooms were gorgeous, the food fantastic, and the service warm and appreciably kind. It’s just a superb luxury hotel.
When we have stayed in places that have butlers we have ended up putting up the “do not disturb” sign up on the door. We simply find it a bit awkward.
Delightful people, but, we really find it becomes and additional step when you are self sufficient.
I’m with you. I like a nice room or even a suite just fine but after that leave me alone beside room service or housekeeping. On-demand rather than automatically as with the comments above would make this more palatable so people who can’t pack for themselves can have the help they need.