Review: Mandarin Oriental New York

Kelly Allen reviews the Premier Central Park View Suite at Mandarin Oriental New York

With jaw-dropping views of the famous Manhattan skyline and Central Park, the Premier Central Park View Suite certainly lives up to its name. Wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows aid the outlook. The suite is a contemporary New York design with curved furnishings in jewel tones and sleek greys. There’s a large king bedroom, separate lounge and dining area, a marble master bath with walk in shower and separate bathtub, plus a guest powder room.

Locale

Located on the very top of the Time Warner building in Midtown, the hotel borders southwest Central Park and is an easy walk to Fifth Avenue, Broadway and the Lincoln Center. It’s a great location for catching a Broadway show or enjoying the buzz of Times Square. The Time Warner Center below the hotel is made up of numerous luxury boutiques and restaurants.

Look and feel

A fusion of modern Oriental and classic New York style decorates the 200-plus rooms over 20 floors. Entering the 35th floor lobby, the floors are paved with glossy black granite and a large freeform crystal light sculpture takes centre stage. Admire the gilded gold ceilings and a view over Manhattan from The Lobby Lounge where you might enjoy a cocktail and a Wagyu beef slider.

Fine dining at Asiate

Eat in

The main restaurant is Asiate, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Asiate boasts panoramic views and an incredible tree sculpture that hangs from the ceiling. Executive chef Christian Pratsch uses award-winning local ingredients like melt-in-your-mouth Hudson Valley foie gras in his six-course chef’s tasting menu. For something lighter, the Lobby Lounge is open all day and serves a traditional afternoon tea.

Treat yourself

The spa has an impressive range of facilities including vitality pools and an amethyst crystal steam room. The 23-metre lap pool has incredible views over the Hudson River, and there’s a fitness centre flooded with natural light plus private yoga classes. Make the most of the location and get one of the hotel’s personal trainers to take you on a jog through Central Park right next door. Book into one of the private Oriental-style Spa Suites – the first of their kind in the city – for a few hours of indulgence with a dual massage bed, relaxation bed, elevated bath and fireplace.

Special touches

Mandarin Oriental is consistently one of the best hotels for customer service, no matter where you are in the world. From greeting you by name, to a welcome cup of tea or exotic fruit bowl in your room, they always go the extra mile. The hotel has a selection of bedtime reading books that you are welcome to take home with you.