Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental Review

The Mandarin brings some Asian style to a rather staid corner of New York. Its cavernous lobby sizzles with energy from the 35th floor of the Time Warner Center. From two wonderful lounges and the restaurant Asiate you can soak in dramatic views above Columbus Circle and Central Park. On the higher floors silk throws abound on plush beds, and the marble-clad bathrooms prove the Mandarin's commitment to excess. That said, the regular rooms feel small when they're contrasted with the monumental frame created by floor-to-ceiling glass, and the view it presents. Suites are really what set this hotel apart, by creating enough stage space to make the hotel's Asian-influenced decor really dazzle. The swimming pool is one of the city's best in a hotel, with panoramic Hudson River views, and the elaborate spa is also impressive. A caveat: breakfast at Asiate (around $50) is an expensive proposition, so consider a pastry at Bouchon in the Time Warner Center instead.