On any night of the week at The Mark Hotel, you’re likely to be rubbing shoulders with supermodels, oligarchs and celebrities. Even a rainy Monday evening will see the bar – featuring plush red carpets, a sparkling ceiling and furniture designed by Guy de Rougemont and Vladimir Kagan – doing nothing less than a roaring trade. Of course this is the Upper East Side of Manhattan, it’s glamour personified, but even for one of New York’s most prized addresses, The Mark is something special.
An Art Deco building created in 1927, it was re-imagined by the renowned French designer Jacques Grange in 2006, and exudes luxury – from the gleaming black and white lobby to the 150 rooms and 10 residences. Rumour has it that the top floor penthouse was considered by Steffano Gabbana (of Dolce & Gabbana fame) for $60 million – only for the taxman to decide there were rather more pressing areas for his money to be directed towards.
No detail is left to chance here, from the stylish bikes and bespoke picnics that can be arranged, to the John Lobb shoe butler on hand to salvage your battered brogues; heck, even your dog is looked after with a Molly Mutt bed and bespoke water bowl.
Whether you’re here to stay for the night are eating at the restaurant – marshalled by award winning chef Jean-Georges, you have to try the truffle-infused cheese burger – or simply popping in on the way home for one of their specially crafted cocktails, The Mark is exactly that, a high point noted in a city known for stunning hotels. Higher praise we cannot really imagine.