Mandarin Oriental, New York
80 Columbus Circle, New York, New York, 10023, USA
Why We Like It
The Mandarin Oriental takes hospitality seriously. From the refreshing oshibori towel service at check-in to the delicious fruit-infused spa water prepared by the gym staff, the service here is impeccable. The hotel’s other stand-out feature? The views: Virtually every window gazes out across the Hudson River or over Central Park. If you’re visiting during Thanksgiving, request a room with a view of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for a front row seat minus the crowds.
Fodor's Expert Review
Towering over busy Columbus Circus, the Mandarin Oriental brings Eastern-inspired elegance and tranquility to one of the city’s busiest crossroads. Sophisticated decor, unmatched hospitality, and a stand-out spa and swimming pool make this sanctuary in the sky a welcome respite after a busy day of exploring NYC.
PROS
- Stunning views from all rooms
- Thoughtful service
- Heated pool open year-round
CONS
- Steam room only available with spa booking
- Limited dining and drinking options
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
Spacious and sleek, many rooms have an Eastern-inspired feel, with dark lacquer, orchids in vases, and furniture with flowing, rounded edges (even the sofa is crescent-shaped). But it 's the view that steals the show – floor-to-ceiling windows framing Central Park and the glittering skyscrapers, with a pair of binoculars on hand to indulge your curiosity. A favorite thing to do is open the curtains to that scene using a handy bedside button, then rolling out of bed and onto the yoga mat (every room has one) for a sun-drenched morning stretch.
Bathroom
Even devoted shower people might reconsider when they see the hotel’s bathtubs, which are situated alongside the window, allowing you to soak in the views as well as the sudsy water. The Toto smart toilet – with its heated seat, self-closing lid, and personalized settings – provides another luxurious touch.
Lobby
There are technically two lobbies here. After a brief but warm welcome at the ground floor lobby, an elevator whisks you away from the hubbub and up to the 35th floor. There you’ll find the sky lobby – a wide, circular space with check-in desks and a giant floral sculpture at the center. Although there’s seating in the sky lobby, adjoining MO Lounge is a more comfortable place to relax with drinks and bites.
Spa
Among many offerings at the hotel’s award-winning spa are five signature treatments inspired by Chinese medicine. For a truly dreamy experience, book Time Rituals, which allows you to collaborate with the therapist to tailor every aspect of the treatment to your needs. Afterwards, head to the amethyst steam room – it’s a spa highlight, and only accessible to guests who book a treatment.
Gym
Following a recent revamp, the gym space has been outfitted with brand new equipment, including cardio machines (treadmills, Peloton bikes, and rowers), dumbbells, and assorted strength training machines. Afterwards, grab a snack and a fruity spa water (the pineapple, strawberry, and jalapeno flavor had us coming back for more), then soothe your achy muscles with a sauna session in the locker rooms.
Pool
Everyone raves about the Mandarin Oriental pool, and for good reason. It’s open year-round until 8 pm, and is particularly wonderful at sunset, when the blazing sky illuminates the whole room.
Dining
The Mandarin Oriental only has one restaurant – MO Lounge – and it’s extremely popular for special occasion meals and afternoon tea (served 1 - 3:30 pm). The all-day menu has something for everyone, from a vegan grain bowl to a hangar steak. Don’t miss the truffle pomme frite – crispy mille-feuille-like layers of potato, cut into fries and served with parmesan and truffle dijon aioli. Alternatively, book the Masa Sushi Experience; a sushi and temaki box from three-star Michelin restaurant, Masa, delivered to your suite for around half the price of dining there in person.
Drinking
There’s no official bar at the Mandarin Oriental, but when we visited in fall 2025, the hotel was preparing to open a speakeasy. Hidden behind an unmarked door at the back of MO Lounge, it’s filled with dark leather couches and curated antiques, and looks like the perfect place to end a night of New York adventures. The cocktail menu is arranged by element, with flavors evoking wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The hotel is a stone’s throw from 59 St-Columbus Circle station, which serves the A, B, C, D, 1, 2, and 3 subway lines.
Restaurants
The Mandarin Oriental shares a building with the Deutsche Bank Center, which happens to contain some stellar upscale dining options. Visit Twin Tales for Vietnamese-meets-Thai cuisine in a buzzy and elevated setting (be sure to order one of the restaurant’s sufflés for dessert). If you’re in the mood for something extra swanky, Per Se, Thomas Keller’s three-Michelin-starred French restaurant, is also just downstairs from the hotel.
Bars
Thursday through Saturday, guests of the Mandarin Oriental get free entry to the late jazz show at Dizzy’s Club (also at Deutsche Bank Center). A 10-minute walk away, Tanner Smith’s speakeasy-style bar offers fun-but-gimmicky “tipsy tea” (cocktails in china teapots) and discounted nightcap options after 11 pm.
Photos
Quick Facts
HOTEL INFO
HOTEL DETAILS
Rate Includes: No Meals
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