Under construction
I have been staying at the Whitehall for years and my last trip at the end of June was a real disappointment. 
The place is in desperate need of renovation, and this is underway--so be aware, there is construction as of June, 2012.
I got to my first room and encountered a TV that only broadcast old fashioned "snow." I was told all the TVs were being replaced within the week. Then I looked around and there was a chair with the bottom falling out.
I switched rooms, and got a better room, which looked great. However when I went to take a shower, the water would go on and off.
After a lot of years of staying there, I would have given them the benefit of the doubt and just waited to go back until the construction was over. It was the nonchalent attitude of the staff that bugged me most. Upon checkout, I mentioned the problem with the shower. The response was just: oh, yeah, they are fixing the showers on certain floors. I really think they should have been more apologetic and perhaps noted this problem when I checked in.
And, I have been able to get a New York Times at this hotel before--at a charge. This time I was just told, no, we can't get you that. THere used to be more can do here.