With Love, The Mark

An Iconic Stay on the Upper East Side

By Jordan Staggs | Photography courtesy of The Mark Hotel

Tucked between first-class shopping and the foliage of Central Park, The Mark offers a glamorous home away from home for those seeking a luxury stay in Manhattan with all the best amenities. From dining and entertainment to wellness and iconic collaborations, this boutique property offers a five-star stay to remember. Its “boldly lavish” interiors and lifestyle recently gained The Mark praise as one of the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025—the only NYC hotel and one of two in the US to make the list.

The Mark experience begins even before one steps through the gilded doors of the 1927 Renaissance Revival-style building at 77th and Madison. It’s home to around 150 guest rooms and suites, including three penthouses, all surrounded by views ranging from the city skyline to the park. Upper East-Siders walk their affluent pups up and down Madison Avenue or pass by the stylish yet simple The Mark Haute Dog Cart that sits in front of the hotel most days, welcoming guests and the public alike with gourmet New York-style hot dogs with a range of available toppings. The Mark Flower Cart also graces the sidewalk nearby, displaying fresh blossoms, seasonal decor, or the hotel’s latest fashionable collab, such as its recent launch of The Mark x Fefé by Dolce & Gabbana—a line of luxury pet perfume for the most stylish four-legged guests.

Art & Culture

Entering the lobby of The Mark, you’ll immediately notice the striking black-and-white striped flooring, statement lighting by Ron Arad, jewel-toned seating, and bold artwork—the curations of French interior designer Jacques Grange, who took on the project in the late aughts and has since worked with the hotel on not only its common spaces but its guest rooms, suites, and penthouses. Neon art by Warren Neidich on the exterior of the building sets the tone for a high-end yet playful collection within, including pieces by Rachel Howard, Karl Lagerfeld, Todd Eberle, and more. Illustrator Jean‐Philippe Delhomme captures the heart and spirit of The Mark in his series that can be found throughout the hotel’s branded materials, from the website to information cards, numerous gifts found in Le Shop, and even on each room’s bath products. The illustrations depict the high-fashion yet eclectic, artsy soul of The Mark, its locale, and its guests.

Speaking of art—with The Metropolitan Museum, The Frick Collection, The Guggenheim, and countless galleries nearby, it’s no wonder The Mark has become a New York cultural hub for locals, celebrities, and guests alike. You might recognize its entryway as the backdrop of some of the most iconic photos taken during the annual Met Gala, which has become a revered celeb-studded fundraiser for The Met’s Costume Institute. The exclusive invite-only event brings A-listers from across the globe, dressed by the world’s top designers in themed couture, and many of them spend their time getting ready at The Mark, prompting a throng of photographers to greet them outside the hotel’s doors as they head to the museum. Anna Wintour, Cynthia Erivo, Sabrina Carpenter, Jeff Goldblum, Jenna Ortega, Ashley Graham, and Alton Mason are just a handful of those who called The Mark their home base for the 2025 gala in May.

Dining at The Mark

After a day of exploring NYC, guests can return to world-class dining curated by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Soak in the ambience at The Mark Bar while lounging on custom furnishings by Guy de Rougemont and Vladimir Kagan, sipping signature cocktails, and immersing yourself in the culture of Manhattan’s elite.

Just steps away is The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges, where guests and locals alike can partake in gourmet offerings from breakfast to late-night. Starting the morning with The Mark Breakfast (two organic eggs, choice of protein, toast, fresh juice, and coffee or tea) or buttermilk pancakes with fresh fruit is the perfect way to fuel up for a walk through Central Park or a day of browsing the museums. Dinner is a lively and chic yet casual affair, with a worldly menu boasting a mix of fresh seafood and raw bar favorites, Italian classics like handmade pasta and pizzas, French onion soup, burrata with fig, a range of salads, and entrées like prime 28-day dry-aged New York Strip, grilled sea bass, and The Mark Cheeseburger topped with Brie and black truffle dressing.

If you think that sounds like the pinnacle of casual fine dining in Manhattan, just wait until you round the corner and enter Caviar Kaspia at The Mark. (We bet you can’t guess what it’s known for.) Also outfitted by designer Jacques Grange, the intimate bar and dining room both invite guests to explore the world of caviar, whether you’re new to the renowned delicacy or an expert in the field. The menu offers an extensive range of caviar available in tasting sizes of 30 to 500 grams, served with all the accoutrements, including mini blinis, crème fraîche, and various toppings. The house caviar also tops most menu items, including French fries, grilled cheese, pizza, the wagyu burger, omelettes, and Kaspia’s signature baked potatoes. Over the summer, Caviar Kaspia’s soft-serve caviar sundae was a huge hit, along with the outdoor The Mark Clam Bar, which has transformed for the cooler months into The Mark Chalet, bringing chic ski lodge vibes to the Upper East Side.

Wellness on the Go

Once guests have eaten their fill, they can indulge in pampering and wellness at The Mark, starting in the state-of-the-art Technogym fitness center, which recently opened on the second floor and offers a range of equipment and programmable workouts tailored to each user, helping them keep up with their goals while traveling. Coming soon, the Augustinus Bader Spa is set to open in early 2026 with a menu of services and products from the luxury brand that created The Skin Lab. Current offerings include massages and bodywork, personal training sessions, IV drips, facials, and skincare consultations in collaboration with renowned aesthetician, Dr. Barbara Sturm.

And whether prepping for a red-carpet event or just a night on the town, Frédéric Fekkai Salon at The Mark has guests covered with top-notch hairstyling and more, including Fekkai’s full range of hair and body-care products available so guests can keep up the pampering in the room and at home. Highly recommended is enjoying a hair wash and blowout while overlooking Madison Avenue before heading to your next dinner date!

Rooms, Suites & Penthouses

Of course, after taking in all the glitz, glamour, hustle, and bustle of being in Manhattan, it’s the respite of your guest room that takes priority, and The Mark delivers. From the furnishings to the bedding, sumptuous robes and slippers, large bathtubs, and showers whose water pressure is often remarked upon by guests—one even asked where they could get the showerhead for their house, we were told—a blend of comfort and luxury greets guests upon arrival and after every outing. Turndown service with gourmet chocolates is always appreciated, while the hotel’s focus on sustainability is reflected in its cleaning practices, intelligent heating and cooling systems, focus on local produce in its restaurants, and available eco-friendly pedicab and bike transportation options.

For those seeking a true home away from home, The Mark’s Suites and Signature Suites give guests more space to relax and spread out during longer stays—but it’s the three Penthouses that truly make the hotel stand apart from the rest. Its many accolades are unsurprising when one sees the apartment-style living available on the building’s upper floors. The Madison Penthouse has one king bedroom, two queen bedrooms, an enormous living and dining space, and a full kitchen, plus a stylish terrace overlooking Madison Ave. Meanwhile, The Central Park Penthouse on the hotel’s west side naturally boasts views of the park from its terrace and many windows, with five bedrooms to accommodate larger parties and events.

But it’s The Mark Penthouse that has become the crème de la crème, earning the title of the largest hotel penthouse suite in the US, with over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space. It spans the top two floors of the hotel, with five bedrooms, four fireplaces, six bathrooms, two powder rooms, and two wet bars. A private Technogym and Augustinus Bader Spa room are also coming soon. The Living Room at The Mark Penthouse, with beautiful 26-foot vaulted ceilings, can be transformed into a full-sized Grand Ballroom for special events. (Did we mention Meghan Markle’s baby shower was held there in 2019?)

“Dog-friendly” is a lifestyle at The Mark! From a curated dining menu for pups to collaborations like The Mark x Fefé by Dolce & Gabbana pet fragrance, a stay here is always a “treat” for canine guests.

There’s no place on earth like the Upper East Side, where fashion, art, architecture, and luxury intersect in a distinctly New York way. It’s a lifestyle and an experience all at once. Whether you’re visiting the city for the Met Gala, a romantic weekend getaway, a holiday trip with friends, or a business endeavor, each stay at The Mark is sure to be more memorable than the last.

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Visit TheMarkHotel.com and follow @themarkhotelny on Instagram to learn more or book your stay.