Mandarin Oriental, New York

Mandarin Oriental, New York occupies the upper floors of the Time Warner Center at 80 Columbus Circle, on the southwest corner of Central Park where Midtown meets the Upper West Side. The Columbus Circle subway station, served by the A, B, C, D and 1 trains, sits directly beneath the building, and the Theater District, Lincoln Center and Central Park South are each within a short walk. Because the hotel begins high in the tower, most rooms look over Central Park, the Hudson River or the Midtown skyline, and that outlook is the property's defining feature. Room types include the Deluxe Room, Deluxe Park View King, Executive Suite and Central Park Suite. Amenities listed include a large spa with an indoor pool, a fitness center, a restaurant and a bar, along with wifi and a concierge. The spa is among the more extensive hotel spas in Manhattan, and the pool area is a quiet contrast to the busy shopping complex below. Dining options include the hotel's own restaurant and lounge, and the Shops at Columbus Circle beneath the hotel add a food hall, supermarket and several full-service restaurants, so visitors rarely need to leave the building for a meal. Service is polished and international in style, with an attentive concierge team suited to business travelers, couples and families staying in the suites. The atmosphere is contemporary luxury rather than historic, with clean lines, Asian-influenced touches and a lobby set high above street level. Nightly rates in the $$$$ tier commonly range from around $900 to $2,500, depending on season and view. The location is especially convenient for evening concerts at Jazz at Lincoln Center, which shares the building, and for morning runs or carriage rides in Central Park. Airport transfers by taxi or car service are straightforward, and Penn Station and Grand Central are a short subway ride away.