Stoneleigh Opens, Elevator Issues

The Stoneleigh rolled out ten red carpets Wednesday night for guests in a most impressive four hour party (this party I, act two being Thursday night same time, same station) that was just uber over the top. The hotel looks fab and the penthouse is breathtaking — I’ll take you there via video Thursday afternoon with the one and only Carleton Varney. Jeff Trigger personally met guests at the door, martinis in the sales center, wine and champaigne flowed at the bar. Food par excellente. We loaded up an elevator car to see the 11th floor and — it stopped. (I have a bit of claustrophobia and feared the elevator was jammed, perhaps testing the weight limit.) I tried Lamaze breathing and then whipped out my cell phone to dial 9-1-1 , was hyperventilating too much to think of snapping a pic of us. Too bad because cute Christopher Wynn, home & dining editor of F!D Luxe, was in the cramped little car with us. (Christopher, totally apologize for losing it!)  Someone said “we are between floors.” Someone else was on a cell phone. All I know is that  despite my way-high heels and Armani, I was going to open that door and get us the beejesus out and — voila — the door opened onto the 5th floor. Disaster averted! (Did the fire department come? Ooops.) That naughty elevator wanted us to snoop inside some regular rooms, not the ones on display upstairs like the $5000 per night bridal suite. (Is it really $5000 a night? Does that include the dress that was on display?) What I saw was lovely — a near-flawless re-do which is probably why everything has taken so long. The bathrooms are spacious and the bedrooms have walk-in closets. Baronessa Cali bath products. Jud Pankey tells me they will have another opening in September and Prescott is looking forward to completion of the Heritage at the Stoneleigh, the high-rise next door connected by underground tunnel.