This iconic hotel deserves a nod for it's history ...

This iconic hotel deserves a nod for it's history but I was sadly disappointed by their relentless push for more and more money ie deposits of $200 per day that are automatically charged without our knowledge as well as service people with their hand out for endless tips. They even tried to tack on a destination fee of $50 per day on the day of check out. The manager did take care of that.
Be careful when speaking with the concierge. When I requested a fine dining Italian restaurant we were given the name of one of the worst restaurants I have ever experienced. Harry Capriani was the restaurant. When I told the concierge about our poor service and food I was first told that they don't recommend that restaurant. Then she read my email from the hotel then apologized and offered to make reservations at a different restaurant. Well, not NOW. We had our vacation planned and that was our night for Italian.
As an apology they sent a bottle of champagne and really unpleasant chocolates to our room. We had retired for the night and the butler knocked and knocked until I had to get out of bed and dressed to answer the door.
Unfortunately we don't drink alcohol. If they had truly wanted to make it up to us I would have preferred they ask us what the hotel could do for us. Not make the assumption that champagne is the answer for everyone.
We had our own private driver but every evening when we arrived back at the hotel the doorman would open my door and ask if they could get our bags. No recognition that we had been there for five days already.
There was only one chair in our room instead of two.
There are better hotels on 5th Ave and should I ever return I will stay at one of those.