NEW YORK Has the Rihga Royal lost its elite status? According to a report in the New York Post, celebrities are canceling their reservations at the former Rihga Royal, as it now dons the J.W. Marriott flag.
Insiders said that the hotel, which was sold to Thayer Hotel Investors for $193 million and is now being managed by Marriott International as a J.W. Marriott hotel, has lost its luster in the eyes of some celebrities who were “regulars” at the property.
Sources said that Ricky Martin, who had been booked at the Rihga next month, canceled his reservation and opted to book a room at the Four Seasons on East 57th Street. Other entertainers have followed suit, according to reports.
It is anticipated that the new J.W. Marriott will draw in a different crowd from its predecessor, the Rihga Royal. While the property will still be marketed as an upscale hotel, its core clientele will likely be a little less luminary.
However, that may be a good thing for Marriott, considering the hotel may no longer have to deal with screaming fans of celebrity hotel guests or other related events.
Just this past weekend, the hotel had some technical problems with its telephone system. Guests at the J.W. Marriott were informed that phones were not operating March 24, however, if they needed to make a call, cell phones were available upon request at the front desk. The telephone system was operational the next day, according to inside sources. (3/26/01) Shannon McMullen