The Mandarin Oriental, New York is situated above Columbus Circle with Central Park spreading out below it and combines its famous location with a sophisticated and art-oriented version of urban luxury.
What’s It Like
The Mandarin Oriental, New York, is situated above the Deutsche Bank Centre at Columbus Circle, a place which the hotel refers to as the city’s real heart. The property opened in December 2003 and was designed by Brennan Beer Gorman Architects, with the interior design carried out by Hirsch Bedner Associates. Throughout the building, a modern style is combined with a sophisticated Oriental touch. Nearly all windows look out over Central Park, the Hudson River, and the Manhattan skyline. The building rises 36 storeys as a hotel, but its residences extend far higher, reaching the 80th floor. The property also houses The Shops at Columbus Circle, a full retail mall, along with multiple office spaces beneath the hotel and residential towers. Together, these components form part of the Deutsche Bank Center complex.
Rooms
I was in the Oriental Suite, which is one of the four Signature Suites located at the corners of the guest floors. When you arrive you are given sweeping views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The room has Oriental design details and rich silk textiles combined with modern artwork. The kitchen is equipped with custom Italian cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, making it suitable for hosting guests or for spending a quiet evening at home. The master bedroom provides a peaceful place to be alone and includes an ensuite marble bathroom. This bathroom has a deep soaking tub, a glass-enclosed shower, two sinks and a walk-in wardrobe. There is also a separate study and a media room that offer a calm getaway from the city below. The standard guest rooms are similarly well thought out, offering soft bedding, furnishings in the style of the 1940s and new artwork from Chinese and Taiwanese artists. All the bathrooms are fitted with soft beige Spanish marble, along with cherry wood vanities and Italian granite countertops.
Facilities
The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, New York, is the longest-established Forbes Five Star spa on the East Coast, featuring a VIP Spa Suite which has skyline views and two massage beds as well as the Thai Suite with teak cladding. The wellness facilities also include an Amethyst Crystal Steam Room and an oxygen-concentrated Vitality Pool. There is a 75-foot heated lap pool that commands views of the Hudson River, together with a full fitness centre and private classes that can be arranged. In 2024 the hotel became the first in North America to receive certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and it has possessed the Forbes Travel Guide VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge since 2025.
Dining
Breakfast at the MO Lounge, on the hotel’s 35th floor, sets a calm tone for the day. Central Park is visible in its entirety as the fresh, seasonal foods are brought to the table. My morning meal consisted of sunny-side-up blueberries and walnuts, a well-pulled sunny-side-up fried egg, sourdough toast, and a well-made cappuccino. It was a simple dish, made with well-sourced ingredients and executed with precision, and it provided the perfect introduction to a day spent exploring the city. In the evening, the MO Lounge moves to a more refined style, offering globally influenced cuisine and skilfully prepared cocktails, all set against the same magnificent view. If you prefer something more private, The Bar is a reimagined speakeasy modelled on the Silk Road, featuring live piano on Wednesdays and DJ sets on Saturdays.
Verdict
The Mandarin Oriental in New York provides a traditional style of hospitality combined with a truly modern touch; it is still one of the city’s most thorough options for a luxury hotel thanks to the residential atmosphere of the Oriental Suite, the excellent spa, and the breakfast, which is worth getting up early to enjoy.
Words by Ravi Lalwani
