There are hotels that give you a place to stay in New York, and others that offer a new way to see it. At Mandarin Oriental, New York, soaring views, Asian-inspired design and a quiet sense of refinement come together high above Manhattan, revealing the city from an unforgettable point of view.
Finding Your Bearings at Columbus Circle
From high above Columbus Circle, New York takes on a different perspective. Central Park stretches into the distance, the Hudson River catches the light to the west, and the Manhattan skyline fills the horizon. Mandarin Oriental, New York occupies a remarkable position within it all.
Arrival begins at street level before an elevator ascends to the Sky Lobby on the 35th floor, where the scale of the city suddenly comes into view. Guestrooms and suites rise higher still, creating a natural separation between the energy of the streets and the surprising tranquility found above them.
An Artful Arrival
Two installations by American glass artist Dale Chihuly mark the journey into the hotel. In the Ground Lobby, Chihuly collaborated with Waterford Crystal to create a chandelier weighing approximately 2,100 pounds and composed of 683 individual pieces of hand-blown glass and crystal.
After taking the elevator to the 35th floor, guests encounter another Chihuly installation in the Sky Lobby. Inspired by the five elements of traditional Chinese philosophy—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—the colorful work was Chihuly's first glass garden and provides an unexpected contrast to the Manhattan skyline just beyond the windows.
Contemporary Living Above Manhattan
Mandarin Oriental, New York offers 244 guestrooms and suites spanning twelve floors, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing panoramic views of Central Park, the Hudson River or both. Guestrooms begin at 398 square feet, while suites provide considerably more space, including four Signature Suites ranging from 1,210 to 3,300 square feet.
Rather than competing with what lies outside, the interiors provide a restrained backdrop that allows Manhattan to remain the primary visual focus. Contemporary décor is complemented by furnishings inspired by 1940s design, while New York-inspired artwork by Chinese and Taiwanese artists subtly connects the hotel's Asian heritage with its location. Bathrooms are finished in soft beige Spanish marble with cherry wood vanities and Italian granite countertops, and in many rooms the bathtub is positioned beside the window.
The hotel's 42 suites take inspiration from the way light changes across New York throughout the day. The Central Park View Suite incorporates warm shades of orange and yellow inspired by sunset, while the Hudson River View Suite uses rich teals that recall the changing tones of the water. The Premier Central Park View Suite introduces amethyst hues inspired by the moment when daylight begins to disappear and Manhattan gradually illuminates for the evening.
Elevated Dining
MO Lounge occupies the 35th floor, with broad views across Central Park and the surrounding skyline. Open from morning through evening, the restaurant serves contemporary cuisine influenced by global flavors, with the atmosphere naturally shifting as the city changes outside.
Breakfast overlooking Central Park provides a peaceful start to the day, as morning light reaches the buildings surrounding the park and Manhattan gathers momentum below. Lunch brings seasonal dishes, while afternoon tea offers a leisurely pause accompanied by pastries and fine teas. By evening, the outlook changes completely as daylight fades, office towers illuminate and the familiar nighttime skyline takes shape.
The setting makes MO Lounge particularly appealing at either end of a day in the city: breakfast before walking into Central Park or dinner after returning from Manhattan's museums, shops and neighborhoods. In both cases, the view provides an immediate sense of place without overwhelming the experience.
Following the Silk Road
Tucked away on the 35th floor, The Bar is an intimate 45-seat space that reopened in September 2025 with a design inspired by the Silk Road, the ancient network of trade routes that connected East Asia with Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Those routes carried not only goods but art, ideas and traditions between cultures, a history that provides a natural reference point for Mandarin Oriental's own Asian heritage.
Antiquarian books, vintage objects and references to travel and maritime exploration are found throughout the room, giving it the feeling of a private library filled with objects collected from around the world. Deep chairs and warm lighting add to the intimate atmosphere, while live piano performances on Wednesday evenings provide a relaxed way to spend an evening without leaving the hotel.
Wellness High Above the City
New York's constant movement makes the tranquility of The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York feel particularly pronounced. Part of the hotel's 14,500 square feet of wellness facilities, the Spa was the first on the East Coast to receive Forbes Five-Star recognition and, according to Mandarin Oriental, remains the region's longest-running Forbes Five-Star spa. Together, the hotel and spa also hold the distinction of being the world's longest-running double Forbes Five-Star Hotel and Spa awardee.
The facilities combine contemporary wellness with Asian influences, including an Amethyst Crystal Steam Room centered around a large amethyst, an oxygen-enriched Vitality Pool with underwater hydrotherapy jets and an Oriental Tea Lounge overlooking the Hudson River. For guests seeking greater privacy, the 650-square-foot Celadon Spa Suite provides a secluded treatment setting incorporating the signature green associated with Mandarin Oriental and design references found throughout the Spa.
The hotel's 75-foot heated indoor lap pool is one of the more memorable spaces. Surrounded by natural light and overlooking the Hudson River and New York skyline, it offers the unusual experience of swimming while the city stretches out beyond the windows.
East Meets West
One of the details in the Sky Lobby tells one of the more interesting stories about Mandarin Oriental's relationship with New York. Since 1985, the fan has served as the company's symbol, reflecting the brand's Asian heritage, but each Mandarin Oriental hotel has its own version individually selected or commissioned to represent its destination.
For New York, the fan was designed by fashion designer Vivienne Tam, whose own story connects the two cultures represented throughout the property. Raised in Hong Kong and based in New York, Tam has built a career combining Eastern heritage with Western modernity, making her a fitting choice for a hotel where Asian traditions intersect with contemporary Manhattan.
Her original design used transparent Lucite and mirror, while a 2021 reinterpretation introduced China Chic Red while maintaining the transparent quality intended to reflect the lights, space and changing character of New York City. Displayed in the Sky Lobby, the fan is a subtle expression of how the property interprets its Asian heritage through the lens of its destination.
A Different Perspective on New York
Few hotels allow their physical position to shape a stay quite so completely. At Mandarin Oriental, New York, elevation influences the arrival, guestrooms, dining and wellness, while Manhattan remains visible throughout. Yet the hotel's location above Columbus Circle does more than provide impressive views. It creates a sense of distance from the city without ever feeling removed from it.
In a city famous for encouraging everyone to look up, Mandarin Oriental, New York offers the luxury of seeing what happens when you finally reach the top.
Article and Photography by Raquel Baldelomar
Additional Photography Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, New York
Raquel Baldelomar is an entrepreneur, author, and journalist. Her work explores how travel shapes creativity, balance, and human connection. Follow her at @raquel.b.la.
