"Why book? A cornerstone of the city’s five-star hotel scene, Mandarin Oriental’s New York City outpost is known for elite service, a fantastic spa, and impressive vistas—the 75-foot lap pool overlooks the Hudson, the high-end MO Lounge boasts the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop, and the best rooms have bird’s eye views of Central Park. Set the scene Columbus Circle, right off the lower west corner of Central Park, already draws an upscale crowd—enter the Shops at Columbus Circle to find designer shopping and restaurants like Thomas Keller’s Per Se, or enter on the right side of the building, where Mandarin Oriental has one tower for private apartments, and another for the nearly 250 guest rooms and suites that make up the hotel. You’ll spot well-to-do New Yorkers shuffling into the residences and hotel bar each evening, as well as buttoned-up business people and couples. Nobody is walking through the lobby in their travel-day comfies here. The backstory The Hong Kong-based Mandarin Oriental brand operates dozens of high-rise hotels, in cities that typically draw both C-suite execs on business and five-star-seeking leisure travelers: think London, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, and, of course, Hong Kong. The New York City property has been around since 2003, and reopened in April 2021 following a COVID closure, with the brand new MO Lounge in the lobby. (By late spring, reservations were already essential for a coveted seat in the cocktail bar.) The rooms Even in the most affordable room on offer—the Hudson River View Rooms, which currently start at $745—you’re getting lavish views that few New Yorkers lay claim to. The perspectives—and prices—just go up from there, with rooms categorized by vantage point (Central Park and the Manhattan skyline are also offered), and size, which includes several categories of suites up to the $36,000-per-night Suite 5000. Most guests are staying here for the park-view suites, with the million-dollar (or, starting at $2,295) views. The rooms feel equal parts timeless in their definition of luxury—think heaping, decadent curtains for privacy, heavy black stained wooden desks, and rich hues—and contemporary, with modern artworks hung on the walls, shimmering structural light fixtures, and reflective metal details accenting every room. Food and drink Hotel dining is hard in a city like New York, when some of the world’s greatest restaurants lie right outside your door. With the new MO Lounge, the hotel is making the choice not to challenge those with Michelin stars just a taxi ride away, and keeping things rather straightforward—consider the elevated lobby bar the spot for a drink meeting, an order of fries or Pâté en Croûte before that 9:30 dinner reservation, or a comforting bowl of ramen when you’ve had a long day and don’t have the energy to overthink it. The spa The Mandarin Oriental’s spa is a major draw—and not only because the wellness center has earned some of the highest accolades in the city. They offer standards like detox wraps and aroma stone massages, plus beauty treatments like hydradermabrasion and sculpting facials. The neighborhood/area The Upper West Side neighborhood is well-suited for an elite hotel experience like you’ll find at the Mandarin Oriental. But it’s not just tasting menus at Per Se and and Louis Vuitton storefronts in these parts—you’re also just across the street from Central Park, a brisk walk to Broadway, and well-positioned to hire a black car or hop on the subway (the nearest stop is a hub for many major lines). The service The overall hotel service is attentive in a no-expense-spared type of way. Whatever you want or need, they will make it happen, with care. In return, do the staff the favor of dressing to the smart setting—they seem to genuinely appreciate it. Accessibility Elevators connect all the floors, and it’s possible to have a car drop you off right in front of the hotel. Anything left to mention? Spring for a Central Park view, and ask for a suite on the southern corner of the building. With the press of a bedside button each morning, the heavy curtains pull back to deliver a jaw-dropping cityscape. By day one, you’ll be inquiring about staying an extra night—or two." - Megan Spurrell
