Mandarin Oriental NY

The Mandarin Oriental New York is perfectly positioned at Columbus Circle, right where Central Park meets the heart of Manhattan. Occupying the upper floors of a strikingly tall building, it manages the rare feat of being both incredibly central and surprisingly quiet, a real luxury in a city as relentlessly energetic as New York.

From the elevated rooms, the views across the city are genuinely sublime. Looking out over Central Park and the Manhattan skyline from such a height is a constant reminder that you are staying somewhere special, and it never really gets old.

‍

Staff and service were completely impeccable, exactly as you would expect given both the price point and the fact this is a flagship Mandarin Oriental property. Everything felt polished, attentive, and effortlessly professional throughout our stay.

‍

The wellness facilities were a real highlight. We loved the gym, the pool, and the saunas, and the spa was excellent too, a calm, restorative space that offers a welcome contrast to the intensity of the city outside.

‍

The main restaurant, MO Lounge, boasts one of the most beautiful views in New York, with sweeping vistas across Central Park and Manhattan. The food and drinks were consistently very good, made all the better by the setting.

Some elements of the hotel, particularly the rooms, are starting to feel a little tired. While everything was comfortable and well maintained, there is a sense that parts of the property are due for a refresh, and that slight datedness meant the experience did not quite live up to its premium billing.

‍

Overall, it was a great stay and an undeniably impressive hotel in many respects. Whether it represents great value for money, however, is a more complicated question.

‍