I have just checked OUT from the beautiful and charming exclusive boutique hotel The Mark. If there is a way to describe it is… full class, welcoming, happening, fashionable and chic. 1927 landmark building at the corner of 77th Street and Madison Avenue. Designed by Jacques Grange and with impeccable service under the perfectionist eye of luxury hotel manager Olivier Lordonnois, The Mark combines old-world comfort, avant-garde design, the latest technologies and an unprecedented level of personal service to create the finest five-star hotel of the 21st-century. I have been in New York for over seven years, and I must say that I always stick to the same hotel preferences, although The Mark is not just a hotel, it is a whole experience of great taste and class.

I am not going to bother you with all the specs of the hotel, which you can find online, the main purpose of my visit is to endorse their great service, friendly attitude and excellence in service. High prices, well yes, but the balance between that, the service, overall experience, location, restaurant and bar are fully worth it. 150 rooms, you can see a sample above. Bang and Olufsen specially design TVs, full mini bar like I have not seen before even with you own sub-zero fridge, amenities by The Mark itself. Luxurious Italian bedding and linen and furnishings in ebony, sycamore and nickel. If there is something that the rooms at the mark are, is cozy.

One of the things that called my attention from the room was the innovative Crestron system. A leading system in room features control and atomization. Forget about turning on or off the lights, pulling down the shades or turning on the TV, Crestron does it all for you with only one remote control right next to the head of your bed.

Great fitness center open 24 hours and features special equipment selected. Next to it, you will also find the Frederic Fekkai Salon, the world’s most famous hairstylist with the full spectrum of services that Fekkai made know worldwide.

I have the pleasure to enjoy a fabulous dinner at The Mark Restaurant by Jean George. This was my second time at the restaurant, but first for dinner service and I must say that despite of being very very crowded, the service was flawless and the food was exquisite. By the signature of Manhattan’s preeminent chef Jean-George Vongerichten, who brings his unbridled passion for fresh from the market and simple cooking, at a comfortable yet elegant dining room. My choices for the night, the classic Tuna Tartare and the Casco Bay Cod with sweet garlic, lemon broth, lemon crumbs and spinach. And do not miss to stop, upon dinner or on the way out, at the Mark Bar, which aside of featuring a chic and lively design, it is the chicest meeting spot on the Upper East Side.

Read more @ http://www.carlosmeliablog.com

We stayed at this hotel at the end of November 2011 and loved it. Our room was comfortable and pleasant, had everything we needed and was maintained beautifully by housekeeping. All the staff were professional, friendly and helpful and made us feel like we were "at home". We enjoyed the bar though felt the furniture there could do with a spruce up. Unfortunately there were building renovations on 77 St which started very early in the morning and affected our ability to sleep. We understand that the hotel was doing all it could to minimize the disruption to their guests. All in all a delightful stay and the Mark will now be our first choice when in NYC.

First the good points. The location is great for museums, art galleries, walking in central park and driving down 5th avenue in a cab. The rooms are large for ny standards. The bathroom was excellent and the hotel was clean too. While the staff were generally fine, we had a bad experience. My husband and I when together were always greeted pleasantly by the staff. However the one time my husband - who is Ethiopian - came into the hotel on his own (about 8.45 pm in the evening) he was asked by the door staff if he was there to make a delivery to a guest. He was not even asked if he was a guest. This was after staying 7 days at the hotel. Contrast this to the fact that as I was going out one morning, the doorstaff held the door open for a Caucasian guy coming in with a whole load of Starbucks breakfast things and greeted him with a cheery good morning. This hotel really needs to change its line of questioning to its guests and train up its staff not to be so prejudiced if it wants to avoid seeming at best judgmental and at worst racist and if it wants repeat business. It certainly will not be getting mine and I will certainly warn my friends and colleagues about this incident which smacks of deep seated prejudice and poor diversity training.

The Mark prides itself on catering to the style affectionado, and those identifying as such won't do much better on the Upper East Side. The hotel is more than just marble bathrooms and Bang and Olufsen stereos though. The service was outstanding and getting a room-upgrade on check-in was a much needed boost to our spirits after some more disappointing NY hotel experiences. My only criticism would be The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges which was over-priced for what they offer. The cocktail bar almost makes up for it though.