Midtown West, New York City
Mandarin Oriental New York
West Side Asian panache
What it is
An Asian-styled sanctuary high above Central Park.
What it isn't
A classic New Yawk hotel—the MO is sleek but lacks the classic heritage of the St. Regis or the Carlyle.
What we think
The first thing you'll notice about the Mandarin Oriental is its height: the lobby, a quick elevator ride 35 floors up from Columbus Circle, has phenomenal views of Midtown and Central Park—and tiered seating from which to enjoy them. More views await in the 248 rooms, which occupy floors 38 to 54 and are angled to enhance the perspective from the floor-to-ceiling windows (some rooms face the park; others overlook the Hudson River). The Asian design is refined, with black lacquered furniture and a subtle palette of silvers and golds; large marble-and-granite bathrooms have deep soaking tubs, plush robes and fresh orchids. The polished-but-not-stuffy service reflects the brand's Hong Kong heritage, as does the spa, which is one of the city's best and includes an extraordinary, sun-streaked 75-foot lap pool. The Mandarin is part of the Time Warner Center, so guests can access some of the city's best dining (including Per Se), high-end shopping, Jazz at Lincoln Center—even a Whole Foods—without leaving the building.
You're here because
You're a couple looking for romantic Central Park Views—or a family whose agenda includes carriage rides, dinosaurs and Broadway shows.
The Moment
As the elevator doors part open on the 35th floor, your gaze goes past the Dale Chihuly glass sculpture in the center of the lobby to the wall of windows taking in the glowing lights of Central Park South and the towers of Midtown.
Restaurants & Bars
Asiate - Contemporary American
Lobby Lounge - Light Fare & Afternoon Tea
MObar - Bar Fare & Creative Cocktails
Location
Time Warner Center, on Columbus Circle, at the southwestern corner of Central Park. Lincoln Center, the American Museum of Natural History and other Upper West Side attractions are just uptown; heading downtown, you'll hit the Theater District and the rest of Midtown.