Mandarin Oriental, New York

Sure, when one thinks of classic New York hotels, icons like The Plaza and The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York come to mind. But the Mandarin Oriental is a New York icon of a different sort. Built in December 2003, the Asian-inspired hotel towers 54 stories above Central Park and Columbus Circle. With a prime location, great views, and one of the best spas in the city, it's a strong contender in the category of modern classic. Among the city's most luxurious hotels, older isn't always wiser.
The entrance is on the ground floor, just around the corner from bustling Columbus Circle, both a city landmark and a transit hub, where guests then take an elevator up to the 35th-floor lobby. Once off the elevator, guests are greeted with a green tea at reception, a sleek circular space decorated with kimonos on the walls and elaborate avant garde floral displays. Adjacent to the reception area is the ever popular The Aviary NYC, set in a sunken dining area. It's usually filled with business types, but look carefully, and you may see some celebrity faces. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Columbus Circle below. In fact, most of the hotel makes excellent use of its tower-in-the-sky location with large windows throughout -- even at the indoor pool. It’s worth mentioning that the popular Lobby Lounge where afternoon tea service was held has now closed.
The vast majority of guests here are posh couples and wealthy business travelers, but there are enough children visitors to warrant family hours at the pool. Kids are also catered to with kids' menus, babysitting services, and the whimsical Pocket Panda program.

The Mandarin Oriental, New York is located on Columbus Circle, across from Central Park and at the gateway to the upscale-but-relaxed Upper West Side. The hotel actually occupies the top 35 through 54 floors of the Time Warner Center, a huge, two-tower complex that's also home to CNN, residential condos, and an upscale shopping mall on the lower levels, called The Shops at Columbus Circle.
While the hotel's official address is 80 Columbus Circle, the Mandarin Oriental, New York’s main entrance is actually on 60th Street. Guests can access The Shops via a private entrance from the hotel's third floor, without stepping outdoors. The building has a Whole Foods Market in the basement, convenient for putting together a picnic for Central Park, across the street. There are also numerous high-end clothing and accessory boutiques, plus two of the city's best (and most expensive) restaurants: Thomas Keller's Per Se and Masayoshi Takayama's Masa.
Columbus Circle station is a major transit hub, with several subway lines running through it, making the entire city easily accessible by train. The Broadway theater district begins just six blocks south, about a 10-minute walk. The Museum of Modern Art is about a 15-minute walk. Barney's department store and designer shops on Fifth and Madison Avenues are about a 17-minute walk. Farther downtown, Times Square is about an 18-minute stroll from the hotel.
New York City has three nearby airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark (in New Jersey). Getting into town from JFK or LaGuardia is usually more convenient than from Newark, but travel times are heavily dependent on the time of day and traffic conditions. From JFK, a taxi takes around an hour in average conditions. From LaGuardia, a metered cab ride can take 30 minutes if traffic is light, three times that if it's bad. Rides from Newark can take more than 90 minutes.
For travelers with cars, expensive valet parking is available, plus there are a couple of garages nearby -- two are located on 58th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft are both available in New York City.

Rooms at the Mandarin Oriental, New York are thoroughly modern and luxurious thanks to elegant Asian decor, high-tech electronics, and some of the nicest bathrooms in Manhattan. The main differences between room categories are size and view. Standard rooms (Skyline View Rooms) average 400 square feet and all units have enormous floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests can upgrade rooms on higher floors and have views of the city and Central Park, though some views are partially obstructed by the neighboring Trump tower.
Decor varies slightly by room category, but overall the look is elegant and luxe with a muted color palette and layered textiles for depth. Subtle Asian accents like Chinese watercolor paintings and Buddha sculptures add interest to the spaces. Standard amenities include HD LCD TVs, iPod docks, yoga mats, automated minibars with Champagne and snacks, ironing boards, and irons. Surprisingly, Wi-Fi costs extra. Live orchids add a dash of color to the spaces. Smaller spaces have cushioned benches placed at the foot of the beds, while larger units include sofas.
The bathrooms are some of the best in the city. Even the least expensive standard rooms have deep soaking tubs and separate showers with rainfall showerheads. Small TVs hang above the bathtubs, but it might be more entertaining to look out the bathroom windows while soaking. Granite and marble fixtures are high end, and private water closets are a nice touch. Hairdryers, robes, slippers, and Fresh toiletries are provided.
For families, the hotel stocks rooms with welcome gifts for kids and small treats, like bathtub toys. Cribs, high chairs, and babysitting services can be arranged.

The Mandarin Oriental, New York’s main restaurant, Asiate, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch alongside floor-to-ceiling windows and views of Central Park. It serves contemporary American with Asian flair, and has an enormous wine collection. Prix-fixe weekend brunch and Tasting Menus at dinner are popular. Room service and kids' menus are available 24/7.
For less formal snacks and an excellent cocktail selection, the Aviary NYC bar also has stunning views and a more casual vibe -- but the service is still excellent. On one of our undercover visits, while we waited for a table at Aviary, the hotel manager noticed we were standing alone and came over to chat while we waited -- a hospitable touch. Accessed via a secret passageway next to The Aviary NYC’s Drink Kitchen is The Office NYC, a speakeasy-style spot with a gentlemen’s club vibe and an extensive collection of liquor.
Some travelers may be disappointed that the Lobby Lounge, which hosted lovely afternoon tea, is now closed.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York is a destination unto itself, and lots of people book treatments here even if they're not staying at the hotel. It's Asian-inspired, starting with a shoe exchange ceremony on arrival. Guests are invited to arrive 45 minutes prior to their treatment to use the separate men's and women's heat and water facilities, which consist of a vitality pool, amethyst crystal steam room, and experience showers. They're then treated to a customized tea in the Oriental Tea Lounge. Treatments range from the Digital Wellness Escape package to straightforward massages, facials, and body wraps. Some of the treatment rooms are truly over the top, with gorgeous views, fireplaces, and daybeds. Meditation, reiki, and yoga are also offered individually or as part of a spa package.

It's impressive that the Mandarin Oriental, New York manages to take advantage of breathtaking Central Park and/or Hudson River views from most of its public spaces. The indoor pool has lovely city views and offers 75 feet of space for swimming laps. Family hours are scheduled, and there's a lifeguard on duty.
For working out, there's a modern fitness center with a range of TechnoGym cardio and strength-training equipment facing large windows. Fresh fruit, towels, earbuds, and fruit-infused water are supplied. A sauna is also located here.
Weddings and events are regularly held here, most often in the 6,000-square-foot Mandarin Ballroom. Wedding packages, planning services, and catering are all available. Free use of a day suite and a free night in a room are given to the wedding couple. The hotel has extensive space for conferences and meetings, plus a staffed business center. Wi-Fi, unfortunately, incurs a fee.
Many travelers stay at the Mandarin Oriental, New York for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as stellar views of the parade are available in public areas and some rooms.