I loved this documentary and recommend it for anyone who either enjoys luxury hotels with history or simply needs a night of living vicariously. Pour yourself a drink and fix something good to eat when you watch because you'll have a yearning for the finer things in life once the film is underway. The recounting of the creation of the art in the bars is probably the best part of the film, along with the Elaine Stritch footage and the commentary from long-time Carlyle employees. Music fans will love the background on Bobby Short.

I expected a bit more high-quality social commentary but instead got a film that was more about the way in which the uber-wealthy are pandered to. If there is anything we don't need to see, it's how the obscenely rich live lives of disgusting waste, paying tens of thousands of dollars for a hotel room, for instance, when the blocks around such hotels are filled with the homeless and hungry. The industries that pander to this obscenity are part of the Versailles-like inequality we are experiencing in this country. The pitchforks are coming.....so save your money. Don't rent this film. Buy a pitchfork instead.

I've stayed at a central hotel quite a bit in mid-town Manhattan, but haven't been into the Carlyle. Seeing Clooney, Tommy Lee Jones and Harrison Ford looking every bit the average schmoe themselves and acting like oh yes, we just hang around the lounge and every worker is like a dear friend and they cater, yeah they totally cater to me and you. Part of the reason a celeb can go into a Manhattan hotel and feel less intruded upon is because native NY'ers mostly and truly don't give a sh/t how famous you are. OK, I would probably have to say, we MIGHT care about the Royals for about a minute, but we won't act like it. So, can anyone walk in right off the street and get a room at the Carlyle or make a reservation? As a native NY'er, I love that certain institutions still exist. In that regard, I wish more did ~ we need more of what that era gave us. But the woman (an author whose name I can't remember) interviewed who snobbishly remarked about all the 'other' people flooding into NYC (people from Kansas) and standing in line behind them was really off putting. (Same woman In another documentary about Tiffany Jewelers and the movie Breakfast At Tiffany's basically says how incorrect it was for Mickey Rooney to be cast as an Asian person in the movie. Hypocritically PC snob much)? The main thing that has changed and altered vintage embellishments in NYC are all the modern buildings and establishments going up. Along with rents and purchase prices, NYC has lost much of its sparkle, and old-school charm. There's still an amazing vibe there - something that's hard to find anywhere else in the world and you feel it instantly when there. But if you're afraid of walking crowds, amazing food, fast pacing, loud speaking, workers on the street shouting at each other, brusque manners in some regards (don't hold up a line, decide or move to the side) and a melting pot, stay away from it.

I bought this video as a sort of souvenir of my stays at the Carlyle Hotel in NYC. I am not famous (yet!), but I am treated like royalty every time I stay there -- Welcomed warmly and made to feel special -- and that was the case from my very first stay. Contrary to what another reviewer said, it does not cost thousands of dollars to stay there. There are lots of great deals at "off" season times of year. It is a beautiful, historical "Old New York" style of hotel that pulses with the energy of the people who stay there... especially those who are attending a performance at Cafe Carlyle or having drinks at Bemelman's Bar. The atmosphere is elegant, yet warm. The food in the restaurants is absolutely delicious. The video accurately reflects the vibe of the hotel, and it best serves the purpose for which I bought it -- a vibrant and wonderful souvenir of my NYC home-away-from-home.

I paid to watch this on Amazon Prime because I've been researching this hotel. I was hoping there would be cool information about the architectural history of this beautiful art deco building, and hopefully some exploration into their five-star service and all that entails. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case.

They did briefly touch on the artists who painted the bar and the dining room. However, the primary focus of this documentary is the people who stay there and why. It's almost a tabloid piece, is evidenced by the number of times and interviewee says "I can't tell you that."

The celebrity and "loyal customer" interviews were interesting and thick on the ground. The creators did focus on the people who worked there, which was also a good thing, as well as artists who had performed there over the years. There just wasn't much substance beneath the fluff.

It’s a good show about this almost landmark of a very beautiful hotel n it’s history

One thing I did observe was how “star struck” people were by the famous that stay n had stayed there

It also seems to be the hotel to go to be seen n fawned over!

The employees were delightful for sure

Personally I’m not obsessed at all when it comes to “celebrity sightings” but tons are.

My husband and I are going to nyc in October n we plan to dine there

I can’t wait to see all the art decorating the history of the building etc

I would recommend enjoying this “movie”

The facts detailed alone are worth the price. This glorious hotel is shown in tons of pictures of architecture, embellishments, style. But the warmth of the staff and praise of the famous guests make everything about it seems so personal. The art on the walls alone is precious. Ending with a tribute to Bobby Short and the Cafe Carlyle brings tears to the eyes of an earlier generation.

After posting a somewhat blistering review a few days ago (during a somewhat bipolar manic phase I have to admit), after being triggered by something from this video, I re-watched it, and have to admit that I basically know nothing about this hotel, and now would certainly recommend it to anyone. It looks like a lovely place, with lots of history and elegance. Please check this place out and if it appeals to you, please stay there.