The Mark New York

Review of The Mark New York

BusinessClass.com review by Varun Sharma
Updated 16. Jun 2023

Arguably New York’s leading luxury design hotel, the privately owned Mark Hotel combines old world comfort, avant-garde design, up to the minute technologies and highly personalised service with 21st century cool.  Housed in a 1927 landmark building in the heart of Manhattan in the exclusive and coveted Upper East Side neighbourhood, the property offers 153 luxury guest rooms including 46 suites and the largest hotel penthouse in the United States, designed by revered French interior designer Jacques Grange.

The Mark’s restaurant is overseen by the globally renowned chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten while for innovative cocktails and a laid-back atmosphere head to The Mark Bar, seating just 24 guests. In clement weather, there is also The Mark Hot Dog Cart for food on the hoof. For those wishing to work out, the Fitness Center at The Mark offers 130 square metres of exercise space including state of the art gym equipment and personal training with Dan Flores on request with martial arts and kickboxing experts from Punch Fitness. For looking good, renowned stylist Frederic Fekkai operates an intimate salon and full-service beauty retreat at the hotel for the ultimate in pampering.

The Mark has also partnered with John Lobb, the world’s most exclusive bootmakers, to create a shoeshine kiosk located at the hotel’s entrance. For those wishing to zoom around the area, take advantage of The Mark’s immediately identifiable and stylish fleet of custom bicycles manufactured by Republic Bike with a whimsical design by Jacques Grange. Alternatively, guests may enjoy The Mark’s bespoke branded chauffeur-cycled pedicabs or sail around the Hudson on a luxurious, 21 metre Herreshoff-designed vessel.

Location

8/10

The Mark, New York is located in the heart of Manhattan’s most elegant neighbourhood, close to Central Park and Madison Avenue, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim, The Gagosian Gallery and the Frick Collection.

Luxury brands such as Tiffany, Hermès, Prada and Christian Louboutin are but a short walk away on Fifth Avenue whilst The Mark’s fleet of bespoke bicycles are exclusively available to guests and are perfect for a cycle tour of the city. A specially created picnic from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten can also be enjoyed alongside. 

Airport wise, La Guardia Airport is the nearest at around 13 kilometres from the hotel with a journey time of around 25 – 30 minutes. JFK Airport is approximately 29 kilometres away whilst Newark Liberty International Airport is a little further at 31 kilometres - a journey time of around an hour, depending on traffic. 

Valet parking is available at The Mark 24/7.

Accommodation

9/10

With 106 rooms, 46 suites and one penthouse, The Mark offers sophisticated and indulgently comfortable retreats with everything you could ever possibly need, overlooking 77th Street, Madison Avenue or the beautiful courtyard – all designed by the hotel’s distinctive interior designer Jacques Grange. 

Regular guest rooms offer 37 square metres to 46 square metres of space with suites averaging 65 square metres all the way up to a magnificent 929 square metres. This allows each room to have its own foyer which is a nice touch. Another interesting feature is that the Junior Suites enjoy separate bedrooms and living areas and two bathrooms, allowing a second guest to stay with their own space. From the Park Suite upwards, the suites also feature a sleek and compact kitchen space custom designed by Piero Lissoni for Boffi with high end appliances. 

Bathrooms feature deep soaking tubs, separate showers, double vanities, heated towel rails, mirrored televisions, La Bottega del’Albergo bespoke bath and body amenities, those signature black and white striped floors and Italian marble from floor to ceiling.  

Other features include furnishings of ebony, sycamore and nickel, state of the art HD televisions and audio systems with Chromecast connectivity in all rooms and suites, uniquely designed private bars with black granite counter tops and Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer drawers for beverages and frozen treats. There is also a Crestron panel that controls temperature, entertainment, curtains and lighting with a single touch. Guests may take advantage of John Lobb complimentary shoeshines, fast Internet access and daily copies of the New York Times or Wall Street Journal. There is even an iButler to help with any IT needs and troubleshooting. 

All the suites are spacious with the feel of a residential Upper East Side apartment with books, original artwork and objets d’art lending that lived in feel.  The prestige suites start with The Mark Signature Suite with four bedrooms and a separate additional living space and The Mark two-bedroom, three-bedroom and five-bedroom Terrace Suites with outside access for chairs, parasols and loungers up on the 14th floor. 

The crème de la crème accommodation is undoubtedly the five-bedroom Mark Penthouse, the largest hotel penthouse in the USA at 929 square metre including 232 square metres of rooftop terrace overlooking Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and beyond. This is a majestic residence by any standard, unprecedentedly spacious and split over the two top floors of the hotel with every detail carefully planned out. 

It is so large that the Living Room can be transformed into a full-sized Grand Ballroom with eight metre ceilings, and fireplace and adjacent wet bar. It even has its own sunny conservatory. 

By the way, as a special welcoming treat, The Mark places macaroons by La Dureé bedside on the first night’s stay.

Service & Facilities

9/10

For achieving “the look”, head to the salon of Frédéric Fekkai, one of the world’s most famous hairstylists, is located on the hotel’s second floor. Acclaimed for his modern, individualistic approach, Frédéric offers the ultimate in pampering with hair styling and beauty treatments within this 195 square-metre salon. 

When keeping fit on the road, the 130 square metre Fitness Center at The Mark situated on the second floor features a range of state-of-the-art gym equipment with personal training and yoga also offered by renowned fitness expert, Dan Flores with martial arts and kickboxing experts from Punch Fitness either onsite or in Central Park. 

When searching for that special outfit for a New York happening, The Mark has teamed up with luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman to offer personal shopped and expert advice from their experienced staff. 

For the shiniest shoes in town, The Mark has partnered up with John Lobb, the world’s most exclusive bootmaker, to create a shoeshine kiosk located at the hotel’s entrance. Available for hotel guests and neighbourhood locals, The Mark Shine by John Lobb provides patrons with a proper buffed shoe, delivered by a dedicated butler trained in the art of shoe care. 

Explore Central Park on two wheels with one of the fleet of custom bicycles exclusively available for hotel guests with a curated and illustrated bike map by The Mark’s chief concierge, Isabelle Hogan. The Mark Bikes are manufactured by Republic Bike and incorporates elements of the hotel’s whimsical design by Jacques Georges. For the ultimate gourmet picnic, order the “lunch-on-the-go” by Jean-Georges, complete with blanket, cutlery, condiments, and a specially designed bottle cooler. Each bicycle comes complete with a signature black helmet, basket, and lock. 

Alternatively, try out The Mark Pedicabs, available on a complimentary basis for guests to enjoy a chauffeur-pedalled ride. Designed in the house style with black and white striped canopies and bold orange custom-upholstered seats contrasting with a sleek black body, the cabs are adorned with The Mark’s signature monogram. 

For the ultimate cruise of Manhattan, guests may privately charter The Mark Sailboat, a luxurious 21 metre Herreshoff-designed vessel from Tribeca’s North Cove Marina for a three-hour cruise on the Hudson. Decorated in the house style of black and white stripes, passengers can enjoy the onboard menu featuring small bites and refreshments by Jean-Georges Vongerichten while taking in the sunset and breath-taking views of the Statue of Liberty. 

Families are welcome at The Mark with a fleet of custom-designed strollers available for expeditions to the Zoo or the shops. Services include a selection of cheerful amenities from colouring books and stickers to toys from The Mark’s own Le Shop. The concierge will also organise a tailored visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for guests aged between ten and thirteen. 

For accompanying family of the canina variety, there are a range of facilities including Molly Mutt beds to signature Mark water bowls and a custom placemat for the ultimate in pooch pampering. There is also access to The Mark’s Woof Woof Kits – leather pouches containing a collar, leash, waste bags and to go water bowls – and an in-room “Spoiled Dog’s Menu” by Chef Jean-Georges featuring gourmet entrées and delicious pet-friendly desserts. 

For glamorous coffee-table tomes to impress your family and friends, the celebrated French publishing house sometime referred to as the “librarians of luxury”, Assouline, has opened a bookshop at The Mark.

Style

9/10

Astute partnering with luxury brands such as La Dureé, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Bergdorf Goodman, Frédéric Fekkai, and John Lobb, has assured both neighbourhood and guest approvals whilst working with Anna Wintour of American Vogue and the Met Gala for a Mark Hotel red carpet of celebrity guests was a masterstroke of marketing genius, giving a boost to the hotel’s Instagram friendly feed. 

There is even a hotel scent designed by Frédéric Mallé. The Jurassic Flower fragrance can be found lingering throughout the hallways of the hotel while candles and perfumes from Malle’s collection are available for purchase from The Mark. As for sustainability, they have got it nailed. 

This is a beautifully designed, thoughtful hotel, packed to the brim with intriguing and guest-friendly services with a well-deserved reputation that draws in the upper echelons of the world’s wealthy to its doors like bees to a honeypot.

Restaurants & Bars

9/10

Offering some of the best dining in New York City, the comfortable and elegant dining room of The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges is both a neighbourhood favourite and a gourmet destination with patio seating available when the sun shines. Open for all day dining and Sunday Brunch, Jean-Georges’ passion for fresh from the market ingredients and simple cooking are the restaurant hallmarks. A world class menu of subtly innovative European classics as well as his signature global flavours will be sure to satisfy every and any palate, however discerning. Showcased in a copper and glass wine wall is a collection of boutique and familiar food-friendly wines from around the world with a focus on value and diversity. The restaurant also offers a private dining room for special occasions. 

The lively Mark Bar, designed by Jacques Grange in true eclectic fashion and featuring custom furnishings by Guy de Rougement and Vladimir Kagan, is the chicest meeting spot on Madison Avenue, known for its innovative and delicious cocktails.

The Mark Haute Dog Cart is a seasonal hot dog stand, lavishly adorned with the iconic Jacques Grange black and white stripes, serving Jean-Georges’ organic chicken and grass-fed beef hot dogs exclusively for hotel guests and neighbourhood locals. During the summer, the stand also offers frozen treats by PopBar.

Sustainability

In the words of The Mark – “we love our world and want to protect it” and they practice and encourage sustainability and eco-friendliness.

Initiatives include offering eco-friendly transportation with bespoke Pedicabs and bikes; using LED lights; offering heated towel racks to encourage guests to reuse their towels; every room is equipped with intelligent thermostats and all rooms are supplied with reminder cards to encourage guests to opt-out of daily linen and towel washing services in order to conserve water and energy.

The hotel is equipped with a highly energy efficient HVAC boiler/chiller combination system which uses clean Natural Gas, where waste energy from the cooling cycle is used for the hot water system. There are also dual-flush toilets to save on water.

Within the food and beverage operation, the restaurant uses mostly local produce and products in order to support local farmers and local businesses, thus consuming less fossil fuels on transportation. The Mark Restaurant also offers over 15 vegan and over 60 vegetarian menu options. They also only use compostable straws.

What We Love

  • Seasons: Having stayed at The Mark in the four distinct seasons that make New York so special, I have seen how the hotel changes throughout the year. In the height of summer, The Mark is an escape from the heat – it’s cool and bright … but in winter, The Mark turns into a delightful, romantic and snug hideout – especially if the city is blanketed in snow!
  • Tinseltown: Every guest is made to feel like an A-list celebrity – even if you are checked into the most basic room. From the door staff to the General Manager, every person and indeed four-legged friend who enters The Mark is welcomed with warmth. Get over the “celebrity hangout” tag the hotel holds and you will find a relaxing "home" in New York.
  • Location: Some would be put off being so far away from the centre of New York – but those in the know relish The Mark’s location. For me, its close proximity to Central Park, the Zoo (think Madagascar) and the Temple of Dendur in the Met which makes it a winner.

    Varun Sharma
    Editor-In-Chief
    BusinessClass.com 

What They Love

  • Amenities: At The Mark, our incredible breadth of amenities ensure that there is something for every member of the family – even pets! We are thrilled to offer around-the-clock room service, picnics in Central Park, 24/7 shopping at Bergdorf Goodman, bespoke pet amenities, a John Lobb Shoeshine, access to The Mark Sailboat, pedicabs, bicycles, and more. The Mark is also home to its famed restaurant by globally acclaimed Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the always buzzing Mark Bar, and salon by hair extraordinaire Frédéric Fekkai. My personal favorite has to be The Mark’s interpretation of the classic Hotdog cart, where guests can get a true taste of New York City.” 
  • Design: What sets The Mark apart is its boldly lavish style, which it owes to a team of world-renowned artists and artisans, masterminded by legendary, French interior designer Jacques Grange. From our signature black and white-striped marble floors to the iconic Ron Arad pendant light which hangs in our lobby, every element of the hotel’s design is a masterpiece within itself. 
  • Location: The Mark is lucky to be situated in one of the city’s most desirable locations. Nestled on the corner of Madison and 77th Street, we are just steps away from Central Park and some of the world’s finest museums, galleries and boutiques. In the heart of the Upper East Side, we love that our guests are able to take advantage of New York’s most celebrated attractions all within walking distance of the hotel. 

    Andrew Jeffries
    Director of Sales & Marketing
    The Mark New York

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About the author
Varun Sharma
Editor-in-Chief
With over 25 years of experience in luxury travel journalism, Varun is responsible for all the content you see on BusinessClass.com. He works closely with all the hotel and airline brands that appear on the website. BBC-trained, Varun has appeared in print, on radio, television, and now online media - having worked for outlets including the BBC, Telegraph (UK), MSNBC, Travel Channel and Cond...
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