Unlucky number 44

Yesterday walked around SoHo... lots of expensive handbags and such. I bought a $7 pair of amazingly garrish earrings and a Mr. T one-sy for Missy who is 6 months preggers. Stopped into a bar called Zia and had some vodka and some whiskey. Yummers. Stopped my feet from hurting because I wore my fabulous-but-not-practical-for-walking boots.

Checked into the Royalton. I thought it would be another harbinger of good luck since the hotel is located at 44 West 44th street, the restaurant is called Bistro 44 and the Bar is called Bar 44. Yaaay I thought to myself. Was I ever wrong. So wrong I could not have possibly been wrong-er-er. The lobby was just as pictured... dark, soft, swanky. The curbside service was friendly and personal... those guys hustle and work hard. Later that evening, the lobby bars were not so friendly and personal. The bartender didn't visit our table even once. Nearby tables could be heard complaining and asking for a waitress. Later, we were told after ordering another drink at the bar itself that it was closed and our tab had been closed as well and billed to the room. I told her I wanted to see a receipt and she said she didn't have it. (She was a bitch). So I demanded that she show me a receipt. (I was pissy).

So the manager came out and showed us the tab... she had closed it out and given herself a generous tip. So anyway, the manager had two drinks sent up to our room by an even bitchier bitch. As soon as the door closed she said something incomprehensible but mocking... sounded like 'Well, that was exhilirating!... ha ha ha... whisper whisper'.

The room had a fireplace and it STUNK. Not like woodsmoke, but like old assy chimney from the turn of the century. The lighting was sooooo incredibly dim that you could hardly see yourself in the bathroom mirrors... and no way to turn the lighting up. Me no like.

The front desk was calling the room at 11:45 to make sure I was aware of the 12 pm checkout. I don't like the Royalton. Don't stay there. For over $700 at a boutique hotel, I should not leave feeling so completely unwelcomed. Blech.