Ravel Hotel: Unforgettable Luxury Awaits (US)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving deep into the velvety depths of the Ravel Hotel: Unforgettable Luxury Awaits (US). And let me tell you, after spending a few whirlwind days there, I'm still trying to untangle the threads of my experience. It's a lot to process, honestly. Think less flawless travel brochure, and more… a slightly tipsy friend spilling the tea, okay?
First Impressions (and the First Hiccup): Accessibility & Oh, the Elevator…
Right off the bat, let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way. Accessibility. It says accessible, and they try. The entrance? Decent. Elevators? Well, here's where the "unforgettable" starts leaning towards "memorable, for better AND worse." The first time, waiting felt like watching paint dry. The second? Stuck. Briefly. They did apologize profusely. It's the kind of hiccup that makes you appreciate the "Elevator" button more. (And makes you appreciate the gym a little less, if you’re on the higher levels.) I'd give them a solid, but not sparkling, B+ here on this front.
Rolling into the Details - Rooms, Oh, The Rooms!
Now, let’s move to the Rooms, and oh boy, were they gorgeous. Clean, very, very clean. With the "Anti-viral cleaning products" claim, I was looking for dust bunnies. Found zero. Zero-zero. The bed was practically calling me home. The "Blackout curtains" are a godsend. Seriously. I slept like a baby. A baby with a penchant for complimentary tea (yes, they have that, and it's good). And that "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!"? Yep, it actually works. Godsend.
Now, what about that much-touted "Internet access – wireless"? Spot on. I streamed a movie, did a little work (the "Laptop workspace" is actually functional!), and generally lived a connected life. The "Mini bar"? Loaded! ("Extra long bed?" Oh, yes. A glorious, sleep-inducing extra long bed!)
The Spa: My Descent into Bliss (And the Slight Chaos)
Alright, let’s talk Spa. This is where the "Unforgettable Luxury" really tries to sell you… and mostly succeeds. I’m no stranger to spas, but I was taken by surprise. First, I had a "Body wrap." I'm talking like, you're wrapped in what feels like a warm burrito of pure relaxation. They use these amazing-smelling oils… I think it was lavender mixed with clouds? Incredible. The "Sauna"? Steamy, perfect. The "Steamroom"? I practically melted into a puddle of bliss.
The "Massage" was… near-religious. The therapist listened to me complain in detail, which I appreciate. The "Pool with view"? Stunning. But… and there's always a "but," isn't there? The "Spa/sauna", you see, getting there felt like that scene in the first Indiana Jones, except instead of snakes, it was a maze of plush robes and half-naked hotel guests. I got wonderfully lost, eventually finding my way, but maybe a few signs wouldn't go amiss. And no matter how many times my brain told me to try it out, I couldn't bring myself to use the "Foot bath". I'm terrified of my feet. That's on me, however. I'll own that.
Food, Glorious Food (and a Few Hiccups in the Kitchen)
Okay, food. This is another area where Ravel shines… mostly. Let's start with the good. The "Breakfast [buffet]"? A spread that could feed a small army. Bagels, bacon, fruit… all the usual suspects, but done well. The "Coffee/tea in restaurant"? Excellent. The "Western breakfast" was perfection.
Now… the caveats. The "A la carte in restaurant" was a bit… inconsistent. One night, the steak was divine. Another? Let's just say, I've had better. The "Room service [24-hour]" is a lifesaver. Pizza in bed? Yes, please. The Asian cuisine? They say there is it. And it sounded good. But my taste buds have no memories of it.
More Rambles About Services & Amenities
The "Fitness center"? Okay, it’s a good gym. The "Pool [outdoor]"? Gorgeous. I wasn’t really a fan of the "Poolside bar," though. Too boisterous. The "Happy hour"? Fun.
The "Daily housekeeping" was super efficient, and I loved the "Complimentary tea" – a small touch that made a big difference. I loved the "Cashless payment service".
I didn’t use the "Babysitting service", but it's appreciated that they want to accommodate couples.
The "Car park [free of charge]" is a godsend, considering the area.
My Biggest Takeaway: The Unpredictability
Ravel Hotel is a study in contrasts. It's luxurious, yes. But it's also imperfect. The service can be superb, and then… slightly less so. The food can be amazing, but also… inconsistent. This is where the "Unforgettable" comes in because the experience, from the front desk to the room service to the spa, feels almost human. It’s not always smooth sailing, and in this over-polished world, I kind of appreciate that. They try, and the staff? Mostly wonderful. They CARE. It’s not a cookie-cutter experience.
The COVID Whisperings:
I'd also point out they're making an effort in the COVID-safety department. I saw the "Daily disinfection in common areas" and "Hand sanitizer." The "Safe dining setup" seemed legit. Sanitizing equipment and all of the staff seemed eager and ready to do their best. They offer "Rooms sanitized between stays."
Here's My Pitch (And Imperfect Offer!) for You:
So, would I recommend the Ravel Hotel? Honestly… yes. It’s not perfect. It’s not a flawless, robotic experience. But it has character. It has heart. And it’s got some serious luxury to boot. And the "Unforgettable" part? That's all about the moments, good and… well, let's just say "memorable."
Here's the Deal: Book your stay within the next month and get a free bottle of champagne upon arrival or a 50% discount on any spa service. Also, you'll get a guaranteed upgrade to a room with a view (pending availability). Don't just book a room, book an experience. See you there!
Chartres Cathedral Awaits: Your Mercure Hotel Stay Awaits (France)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to embark on a trip to the Ravel Hotel, A Trademark Collection Hotel… in… well, wherever the heck it is! (Yep, I'm starting this before I even look up the location. That's how we roll in the world of messy, honest travel planning.)
Day 1: Arrival & The Concrete Jungle Shuffle
Morning (Whenever I Finally Drag My Butt Out of Bed): So, first things first. I need to actually LEAVE my apartment. Packing? Yeah, that's a disaster zone. I'll probably throw everything into a suitcase at the very last minute. Socks? Who needs 'em? (Kidding, maybe.) My brain is already buzzing with excitement, though. I'm visualizing the hotel room, the views, the… oh god, the hotel lobby music. Pray for me.
Mid-day (Post-Flight/Train/Warp Speed): Right, so, turns out the Ravel Hotel is in Long Island City, Queens. Ooooh, fancy! I’m picturing exposed brick, maybe a rooftop bar with killer views of the Manhattan skyline… and hopefully, no actual rats. (I'm easily spooked.) Arrived at the airport, got through the usual TSA cattle call. Now I'm navigating the subway with the grace of a newborn giraffe. Don’t even ask about finding my way to the hotel. It's an adventure in itself. Currently sweating buckets and trying to avoid eye contact with everyone. New York is a wild place.
Afternoon/Early Evening: Check-In & First Impressions: Finally! Made it. The Ravel. Ooh, it's sleek. Seriously, it's all clean lines and minimalist everything. My inner minimalist is screaming in joy. My inner chaos-monster, however, is already eyeing the mini-bar. Check-in was easy enough. The front desk guy was super chill, which I definitely appreciated after the subway madness. Hotel room? Okay, whoa. The view… it's the money. Manhattan, all gleaming and pretty. Suddenly, all the travel misery faded away. I am now instantly in love.
Late Evening: Rooftop Bar & Existential Dread (Just Kidding… Mostly): Okay, rooftop bar time. The whole point. I'm wearing something fancy-ish, hoping I don't spill anything. And… the view. Holy moly. The skyline at night is an absolute knockout. I'm sipping on a cocktail that cost more than my monthly library fines (don't judge), and the music is kind of thumping, but in a good, energizing way. I feel myself, genuinely, letting go. This is what travel is supposed to be. Then, of course, the existential dread creeps in. I'm all alone with a panoramic view of a city I don't fully understand. Suddenly, I'm pondering the meaning of life… and how many of these cocktails I can reasonably consume before I embarrass myself. I decide on just one more.
Day 2: Brunch, Brooklyn Bridge & A Questionable Art Exhibit?
Morning (Maybe I’ll Wake Up Before Noon? Maybe Not.): Okay, after those cocktails, I slept like a rock. Woke up craving brunch. Serious brunch.
Mid-Morning: Brunch Bonanza! Found a cute little spot not too far from the hotel. Avocado toast? Check. Endless coffee? Check. The best part? Watching the people. New Yorkers are amazing. So much style, so much sass. I love it. I secretly want to sit in a cafe all day long, just listening to conversations.
Afternoon: Brooklyn Bridge Bliss (and Blisters): Okay, full disclosure, I had a small crisis of confidence on the bridge. It's crowded. It's windy. And my feet are killing me. But the views! Absolutely worth it. The bridge gave me a sense of awe. I snapped a million photos so that I could pretend to be a professional photographer for the rest of my trip.
Early Evening: I decided to go to an art exhibit. I had high hopes! The art was… well, let's just say it was "avant-garde." I'm not sure I understood a single thing. I spent most of my time trying not to look like I didn't understand anything, which was an exhausting exercise in intellectual pretense.
Late Evening: Dinner & A Little Bit of Regret: I went for dinner at a restaurant that was supposed to be fancy and romantic. Let me tell you, I'm sure my date was mortified. Apparently, I did not do well. (I forgot there was a dress code. I looked like I just rolled out of bed. I probably should have checked beforehand) Oops. I found myself back at the hotel bar, nursing a drink while replaying the evening. (What was I even thinking, wearing that outfit?) But hey, at least the bartender was friendly, and the Manhattan skyline was looking particularly radiant.
Day 3: Departure & The Lingering Feeling of Being Utterly Exhausted
Morning (The Dreaded Packing Session): Packing time. Ugh. After the past few days, I'm exhausted. I don't want to go home. I do, however, desperately need to do laundry.
Mid-day: Last Glimpses & Taxi Trauma: One last walk around the neighborhood, trying to soak it all in. Saying goodbye is the worst part of any trip. The taxi ride to the airport? Let's just say the traffic was a nightmare. The driver was friendly, though, and he was playing a terrible song on repeat.
Afternoon: The Airport and Departure: Made it to the airport! Through security again. I'm not entirely sure how I got through this time, but hey, here we are.
Evening: Back Home and the Post-Travel Blues (sigh): I’m home. The apartment is a mess. The laundry is a mountain. But… I'm already planning my next trip. The Ravel Hotel? Definitely a win. The memories? Priceless (and, honestly, a little fuzzy). I'm already nostalgic for the rooftop bar and the views. And, you know what? Even the disastrous art exhibit was kind of… memorable. Travel isn't perfect, and it's definitely not always glamorous. But it's real. And after all the exhaustion and slight disappointments, there's always a good story to tell. And that, my friends, is what makes it all worthwhile. Until next time, New York. You crazy, beautiful thing.
Ravel Hotel: FAQs - Because Let's Be Real, You Have Questions. And Maybe Regrets.
Okay, So Is the Ravel Hotel *Really* as Glamorous as Those Instagram Pictures?
The Food: Worth the Hype (and the Price Tag)?
The Rooftop Pool: Is It a Pool or a Scene?
Room Service: Convenient or a Rip-Off?
What About the Staff? Are They Actually Nice, or Just Trained to *Appear* Nice?
Would You Go Back?
