Based on the posts I’m writing these days, escapism is definitely on my mind… I promise I will write a food post or a styling post this week, but right now my mind is on all the places I miss… And there are few places I miss at the moment like New York, its buzz, the museums, so many wonderful restaurants, and of course all that shopping. I also miss New York because I’ve spent some pretty fantastic times there over the years, both alone, with my family (I’ll write a post on a wonderful week we spent over Christmas there soon!) and of course with my girlfriends. But, first things first, let me tell you about my favourite bolthole in New York.
Finding my favourite hotel in New York took me years… I would go there loads with work in my previous job, and at first I was never able to find a place that I really enjoyed staying in. Some hotels come with a lobby which turns into a nightclub from 7pm: nice for some I am sure, but not so nice if you have to spend the evening reviewing presentations and a 5am wake-up call, but even when I come for a week-end of fun I like to decide where and when I want to go party, not have it brought just under my hotel room. Most hotels in New York also charge you a fortune for the smallest rooms you can imagine, complete noisy aircon units and no luggage stand to put your suitcase on. And finally, some of the grandest hotels in the city have decor that is firmly stuck in the 1990s…
I found The Mark after a few years of trial and error, and after that I never looked back. It is the most magical hotel in New York. Discretely tucked away on 77th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenues on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, its location is the best: a stone’s throw from Central Park, right at the beginning of Museum Mile, putting it within ten blocks of the Met, the Guggenheim, the Whitney etc, as well as just a few steps away from all my favourite NY shops… This is also quite far from the tourist areas of the city, making this a wonderful place to stay if you like to be away from the big crowds. The only downside for me is this has become quite the celeb hotspot over the years, complete with the requisite amount of drama… Sometimes the street outside swarms with paps as the hotel staff dutifully ignores the commons like me, waiting to get a glimpse of whatever B-list or A-list guest is staying, but personally I like to be ignored like that, as one of the things I enjoy in any hotel is the sheer anonymity you get from staying in a place where noone knows you. That said, I must confess I got quite star-struck that one time I waited for the lift door to open, only to find Stephen Hawkins roll into the lobby.
Once inside, The Mark hits you with old-world glamour, an elegant monochrome colour scheme that runs throughout the building, starting with the striking lobby and a grand staircase. Sconce-lit walls, mirrored lift doors, plush furnishings, and bold, abstract artwork add to the very unique elegance of this hotel. The bedrooms are big and comfy, with panelling and plush details, very classic but super comfortable, and bigger than most hotel rooms I stayed in in New York. The wardrobes are well thought-out to accommodate enough luggage to see you through a whole week of outfit changes, and the mini-bar area is both beautiful gorgeous and well stocked-up, from healthy snacks to less healthy tempting nibbles. The bathroom is so beautiful, the first time I stayed here I wanted to go back and refurbish the one I had at home to match it…
Front-desk service is polite, professional, if a bit stiff and haughty (I’m sure they are warmer to the celebrities, I find that the coldest concierge becomes quite obsequious at the mere sight of a Page Six worthy celeb), but the rest of the staff make up for it and provide first-notch service throughout. On my way to the airport on the day of my return, I asked if there was a bathroom somewhere where I could freshen up and get changed, and the bellman promptly escorted me to a suite on the business centre floor with all the amenities for me to shower before heading out to JFK. There is a Frédéric Fekkai Salon where I once popped in for a colour toner and blow-dry, and where the team is utterly lovely.
I love ordering room service here especially because breakfast doesn’t start before 7AM, a little too late if you’re travelling from Europe and are a little jetlagged, or if like me you tend to get on with your day early. The food arrives piping hot and is delicious. If you want to try and pop out to San Ambroeus next door, you’ll get a New Yorker version of the Milan outpost and enjoy the Italian pastries with strong coffee whilst watching the Upper East Side wake up. There are loads of delicious delis within walking distance, and some evenings I like to stop by at E.A.T for a takeaway to enjoy in the relaxed comfort of my room… That being said, the restaurant of the hotel serves delicious elaborate dishes, but I rarely have time to enjoy it… I do recall a delicious crudites plate one lunchtime, served in the mini courtyard with the most delicious Aperol Spritz. Next time I go, I’ll have to repeat the experience. I’ll also have to take advantage of the bike hire service and take one of the black and white bicycles for one of my tours of Central Park…
Bottom line: stay here for the location, decor, food, and neighbours, but be warned that this place can be a little snob and a little haughty, something some can find intimidating.
With love, S.
A Styled Life 