Not sure about new ownership
I've stayed at the NY palace 5 or 6 times and had always loved this property. Most recently, my first stay since their recent change in ownership (according to their email newsletter) was my worst experience by far. 
Staff was noticeably less friendly than past stays, bumped heads at checkin with rude Manager named Phil. 
3rd morning, they removed all full size towels form bathroom, had to dry with hand towel, called down and was strangely transferred to same unapologetic manager Phil - why would a guest simply requesting towels be transferred to the hotel Manager? and, why would a luxury hotel Manager not apologize to a guest who'd just gotten out of a shower to find that there were no towels in the bathroom? - Almost felt like a prank.
It was a business trip and the internet did not work in the room at all, I was displaced to the $1/Minute "business center" which is on the basement level in a small room with no windows. My alternative was the free internet in the overcrowded lobby - which probably meant you were sitting on the entry stairs, or lucky to find a side chair, one day they let me sit in the cocktail area, until I was moved to a table in the restaurant to make room for happy hour. 
Ultimately, this is a very special property, and it has a lot of sentimental value to me as I have enjoyed many stays here in the past. I really hope that this is not the beginning of the end, and just some bumps during a transition of ownership.