Undeniably lavish, minus the pomp, The Mark does everything right (and makes it seem easy, too)
Known for its impressive celebrity clientele, The Mark beckons the fashion-conscious with near-tangible magnetism. Why? Because ostentatious aspects of design are married with more contemporary and zealous aesthetic choices. Yes, there’s black-and-white decor and yes there are marble features, but it’s all punctured by distinctive orange hues in the form of flora, wallpapers and soft furnishings. In short, it looks really, really nice.
And the whole operation is slick and polished, from succinct check-in to simple check out. As for the suites, the bath is luxuriously deep and the wifi is speedy. Plus, it’s culinary wonderboy Jean-Georges Vongerichten who heads up the fine dining restaurant and bar offerings, so you can expect an eclectic menu with the likes of hamachi sashimi, Scottish salmon and parmesan-crusted chicken with artichokes and lemon-basil butter. Delicious.
Neighborhood: A five-minute wander from Central Park and pretty close to the Guggenheim, The Met and the rest of Museum Mile, you’re perfectly located for a few days of culture. But while it may be the glistening streets of the Upper East Side that draws tourists and inner-state travellers to the hotel, it’s The Mark’s flamboyance that keeps them there.
Nearby:
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art: for creative inspiration
- Papaya King: to get your fill of hot dogs and syrupy papaya juice
- Bemelmen’s Bar: for a luxe drinking hole with ornate trimmings
Time Out tip: Need to pump up your morning? While The Mark’s gym is compact, it’s well equipped—which means it caters for those of us who want to use weights instead of just doing some cardio. Go early for a peaceful workout and then head downstairs for a perfectly-pillowy Belgian waffle with crisp saccharine exterior.
