Fashion’s biggest night doesn’t begin on the steps of the Met. It starts in the rooms and suites of The Mark, where glam squads primp and preen celebrities ahead of their red carpet debut. But it’s not just the Upper East Side location that has turned this hotel into one of the world’s most famous – from the service to the interior design, The Mark deserves full marks.

Located within a landmark 1920s neo-Italian Renaissance building, The Mark seamlessly blends Old World elegance with contemporary charm thanks to the work of French designer Jacques Grange. Step inside the lobby (arguably the world’s most photographed, thanks to the celebrities passing through here ahead of the Met Gala) and you’ll be greeted by the signature hotel fragrance, Frederic Malle’s Jurassic Flower. 

A feast for all the senses, your eyes will no doubt be drawn from the iconic black-and-white striped marble floors – which have become synonymous with the hotel – to the unique furniture, lighting and decoration pieces exclusively designed by artists including Karl Lagerfeld. 

Grange’s design takes on a more subtle note for the 106 rooms, 46 suites, and singular penthouse suites, lending them a quieter elegance. Each room comes with a deep-soaking tub, double wash basins and bespoke bath amenities from La Bottega, with either Madison Avenue, East 77^th Street or townhouse garden views. There are a number of different suites, including one-, two-, three- and five-bedroom options, but it is the penthouse suite that is the most coveted, both on the first Monday of May and the rest of the year.

Covering 10,000 square feet across the top two floors of The Mark, the penthouse is the largest in the US, with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two powder rooms, four fireplaces and two wet bars. Should the weather permit it, the gorgeous private rooftop terrace overlooking Central Park is perfect for hosting.

As you would expect from a hotel frequented by celebrities (the staff are tight-lipped about who stays here, but the penthouse suite famously hosted Meghan Markle’s baby shower in 2019), The Mark is home to some of the city’s best restaurants, too. 

The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges is a must-visit for lovers of French cuisine. One of Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s dozen restaurants in the city, it is known for its fresh seafood and pasta. Caviar Kaspia, the famed Parisian restaurant’s only American outpost, is an equally extravagant choice for dinner, with eight different types of caviar to choose from. Try it atop the legendary twice-baked potato, with pasta or smoked salmon, or even branch out and order the vegetarian caviar made from liquefied truffle – it’s all sensational. To say you’ve truly completed New York, The Mark Hot Dog Cart invites guests to try the classic dish – but from Vongerichten’s kitchen.

Outside of the hotel’s four walls, The Mark offers other exclusive experiences, including a private charter of The Mark Sailboat, a 70-foot Herreshoff, made all the better with a bespoke menu from either Chef Vongerichten or Caviar Kaspia.

The Mark’s location in the Upper East Side means you are in an excellent spot for sightseeing – the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum are just a few blocks away, and you couldn’t be closer to Central Park. Madison Avenue itself is lined by designer boutiques for brands such as Hermès, Prada and Cartier. For a view over the city, the Rockefeller Center is a short drive away, and music lovers will appreciate how close both Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center are.

While found within a historic building, The Mark manages to blend the stately charm of its location with just the right amount of contemporary touches, which is no doubt at least partly why it has been a favourite among those visiting Manhattan since 2009. With exceptional service, a beautiful interior design, superb dining experiences and more, The Mark hits the mark every time. 

themarkhotel.com