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 views—the 75-foot lap pool overlooks the Hudson River, the high-end MO Lounge boasts the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop, and rooms look out at either Central Park or the Hudson River.
Set the scene
Columbus Circle, right off the southwest 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 pandemic closure, with the brand new MO Lounge in the lobby.
The rooms
Even in the most affordable room on offer—the Hudson River View Rooms, which currently start around $900—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 New York skyline are also offered), and size, which includes several categories of suites up to the $36,000-per-night Suite 5000, a contemporary 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom wonderland filled with quirky art (hello, Coke Zero Darth Vader), a vinyl collection and record player, Swarovski crystal chandelier, New York Fashion Week photos shot by Annie Leibowitz, and a Peloton.
Most guests are staying here for the park-view suites, with the million-dollar (or, starting at $2,590) views. Ask for one 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.
The rooms feel equal parts timeless in their definition of luxury—think heaping, decadent curtains for privacy, heavy black stained wooden desks, marble bathroom floors, and rich hues—and contemporary, with modern artworks hung on the walls, shimmering structural light fixtures, and reflective metal details accenting every room. The heated Toto toilets are a delight, as are the Diptyque products found in the shower, yoga mat and meditation pillow in the closet, and binoculars that urge you to sit and people-watch for a while.
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. But that’s not stopping the MO Lounge from competing for your attention, with a mix of both decadent and lighter fare on the menu—the Wagyu beef and octopus carpaccio were highlights, but there are also tuna poke bowls, hotel classics like a club sandwich, and dishes nodding to the brand’s heritage, like wonton noodle soup and in the morning, a hearty Mandarin breakfast of poached chicken congee, stir-fried noodles, and more. If you’ve got your dinner reservations already mapped out, drop in for a cocktail or late night dessert—the pastry spread has an indisputable surprise and delight factor.
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. Before or after a treatment, spend some time in the relaxation room for more excellent views of New York City and healthy snacks, as well as the hydrotherapy room with its vitality pool and amethyst steam room.
The neighborhood/area
Situated at the bottom of the Upper West Side, the location is prime for first-timers and repeat visitors alike. You’re right across the street from Central Park, a brisk walk to the Museum of Natural History in one direction and Broadway in the other, and well-positioned to hire a black car or hop on the subway—the nearest station is a hub for many major lines, and places like Bryant Park, Top of the Rock, and the Vessel are just a few stops away. If the busyness of nearby midtown has your senses overloaded, stroll uptown instead to enjoy the charming, slower-moving streets of the UWS.
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?
Despite its upscale aura, the hotel is genuinely kid-friendly, with room configurations well-suited to families and holiday programming kiddos will love, like visits from Santa and prime Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon views.
Speaking of programming, the MO team has created some truly unique experiences on offer to guests, whether you’d like to chitchat with a Broadway star before a show or host an omakase dinner inside your suite.
80 Columbus Circle, New York, New York 10023
United States
https://cna.st/affiliate-link/2nyX54FpjYWf4KhnmmmMZRBqNQGw483BDo1r8gpMUdymJiAPYKkbD7Jo36bKBttBCZ9xB4Rezh8nijPzbPnVJXmkHk1UVqeQUmPzAgGsBAVpFqyqknEZz6b9eUJCFyFH7vzKLJyQGmvNYcDvKjMGbiUAAwNe1pLfQsFYMcMmUhMtQZtVwzGuxk5H261DQTUunE1Ayqkhf69W5XetXX9WT97M1LTjtFRqKpp2wTERXV31rNEz1XeE3f8gi
(212) 805-8800