Words by Louise Pyne
The Big Apple certainly isn’t short of glitzy hotels, but the Mandarin Oriental New York is in a class of its own. With its fab location overlooking Central Park and the Hudson River, located on the edge of the Upper West Side, the hotel boasts a stunning view of this sprawling city.
Hotel
As one of the world’s top hotel groups, the MO draws attention for its 360-degree approach to welcoming visitors, which begins at the elegant sky lobby where staff great guests with a genuine smile. The reception area, which features mostly muted tones punctuated with the odd pop of colour, fragrant exotic flowers and cosy seating, is perfectly designed to ooze style and sophistication.
Set in the heart of Manhattan, the hotel is seconds away from the shops at Columbus Circle and ideally positioned in relation to the countless galleries, museums, restaurants and cafés that the city offers; but whilst in a buzzy location. When you step foot inside this hotel you feel somewhat removed from the exterior razzmatazz thanks to the uber-cool and beautifully serene ambience that radiates throughout.
there’s also a 14,500 square-foot spa, state of the art fitness centre decked out with TechnoGym workout equipment plus a 75-foot heated pool – remember to leave some time for a spot of pampering as wellness is at the forefront of this hotel’s ethos. Slink into the oriental-inspired spa and choose from a range of blissful treatments including hot stone massages, energising body scrubs and detoxifying wraps as well as holistic facials to ensure you are pampered from head to toe.
Room
There are 244 spacious guest rooms and suites spanning the 35th through 54th floors of the Time Warner Center. Each room category has subtle nods to the brand’s oriental heritage. There are also 64 exclusive residences for those who want to flash the cash, but these will set you back an eye-watering $50 million.
Back to the guest rooms, and there’s no denying that they offer the height of luxury. They say New York is the city that never sleeps, but the beds at the MO are so ridiculously comfy that you’ll literally doze off into dreamland in seconds. Crisp white Italian linen, soft low level lighting and snuggly pillows create the perfect ambience for some much-needed rest after a busy day trawling the city sights.
Room categories start with the elegant Hudson River view room and Central Park view room which offer spectacular panoramas of each iconic Manhattan landmark. Aside from the awe-inspiring city views, each room category comes equipped with the usual modern amenities including a king size bed, bathtub and walk-in shower, plush bathrobes, floor-to-ceiling windows and a chaise lounge and dedicated work space.
The jewel in this hotel’s crown however are the 42 luxurious suites which sit boldly against a backdrop of the city. Each suite reflects city life with its unique colour palette. Uplifting hues of orange and yellow emulate New York at sunrise, shades of teal represent the city both at dusk and signify the water of Hudson River. Finally vivid tones of amethyst showcase New York nights.
The hotel’s Suite 5000 is 3,300 square feet of luxury. This residential setting is a two bed, two and a half bath suite which recalls glamour, whilst the opulent one-bedroom Presidential Suite and Oriental Suite are soothing yet stylish spaces that fully cater to guests’ needs.
Food and drink
Dining and drinking perks include the upmarket MO Lounge which sits above the city on the hotel’s 35th floor. The Lounge exudes class and sophistication with its city vista and 16-foot floor to ceiling windows.
The menu features contemporary American dishes and creative Asian fare. On our taste-test was the incredibly mouth-watering New York strip steak doused in red wine jus which comes with a side of creamy parsnip puree and chanterelle mushrooms along with the to-die-for Japanese poached egg rice bowl.
To wash things down there’s also an impressive cocktail list – the fancy ‘Walk In The Park’ totally hits the spot with its perfectly curated blend of Roku gin, botanicals, cucumber and elderflower. It’s clear that mixologists know what they are doing. As any discerning traveller would expect, there’s also an extensive wine and spirit list with vintages from around the world, bubbles, craft beers, and a non-alcoholic menu available.
Breakfast is ample with the usual choices including fluffy buttermilk pancakes, oozy eggs Benedict and a classic full American breakfast to keep your tummy happy until lunchtime.
To do
Where do we start. There’s so much to do in NYC that it can feel overwhelming at times, so if you want to explore the city through a local’s eye, the staff can craft a personalised itinerary and private tour guide to take you through the main highlights. So whether you want to while away the hours at a flea market in Brooklyn or soak up street life in Harlem, the concierge experts have it covered. Prefer to explore the city by foot? Walking tours are also available upon request.
Situated in busy Columbus Circle, the hotel is also a mere 10-minute walk to the Theatre District and a five-minute walk to the Lincoln Centre and there’s even a shopping mall which adjoins to the hotel via a private entrance, so you don’t have to go far to find a retail therapy fix.
Factbox
Address: 80 Columbus Circle, New York, New York 10023, United States of America
Email: momrk-reservations@mohg.com
Phone: +1 (212) 805 8800
Website: mandarinoriental.com
Images (excluding Brooklyn Bridge) supplied by Mandarin Oriental Hotel
