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HotelChatter 2009 Awards / People's Choice / Standard Hotels / → All Tags

People's Choice Award: The Standard New York

Where: 848 Washington Street [map], New York, ny, United States, 10014

It's what you've been waiting all year for--The 2009 HotelChatter Awards! We'll be bringing you the best and worst of the year (and the decade) all day today and part of tomorrow. Agree or disagree with our picks? Air your thoughts in comments below.

After reading the last award for Hotelier of the Year, it's no surprise that this year's People's Choice Award is The Standard NYC.

Whether it was the man candy opening the doors, admiring the stunning room views, looking at the boldfaced names that graced the Boom Boom Room or catching up on the latest in the "Who Got Naked at The Standard?" saga, you guys just couldn't get enough of this hotel, as it was the most viewed hotel page of 2009.

We stayed here right around when it first opened and here are some of our initial thoughts on the place.

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HotelChatter 2008 Awards / People's Choice / Viva Vegas / → All Tags

People's Choice Award :: Palazzo Las Vegas

Where: 3339 Las Vegas Blvd S [map], Las Vegas , NV, United States, 89109

People's Choice Award: Palazzo Las Vegas

It's been an interesting year for the Palazzo Las Vegas which was the most popular hotel in 2008 here on HotelChatter. When the place finally opened last December, much of it was under construction and the rooms weren't quite ready.

Then we wandered through the casino in mid-January and it was dead. On a Friday night. Before the recession had even kicked in. Yet once the Palazzo started to open up their luxury shopping mall and new restaurants, the tide started to turn a bit.

Celebrity sightings came quick and fast after that. We managed to spend a few days in the hotel in April, experiencing all the goodies the hotel had to offer. And there's a lot. Barneys. Christian Louboutin. Ferrari. Jersey Boys. Cut. Sushi Samba.

Despite the luxury in the stores and the fine cuisine on the plates, the rooms leave a lot to be desired. Aside from questionable decor, we also questioned the craftmanship of the furnishings.

While we were there, everything seemed to be in place but they didn't actually stay in place. A handle fell off the cabinet to the minibar when we pulled to open it. And we heard another guest had her water turned off in mid-shower. Yikes.

The good news is that a chance to stay at the Palazzo will be much less expensive in 2009 as rates keep plummeting in Las Vegas. A room of $119 can be yours in January.