Mondrian Park Avenue – Hotel Review, December 2020

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It’s hard for a hotel to stand out in New York City, where there are so many exceptional offerings, but The Mondrian Park Avenue has a lot going for it, including its enviable Park Avenue location.

The 189-room hotel, which is part of hospitality brand sbe, is housed in a 20-story building that dates back to 1918. Opening to wide acclaim in 2017, the hotel enjoys a high level of design detail, including the deft touches of famed interior stylist Philippe Starck and striking artworks curated by his daughter, Ara Starck. The money spent transforming the property is apparent at every turn, sbe never being one to shy away from conspicuous displays of luxury.

Its plum location on Park Avenue in the NoMad neighborhood, coupled with its artistic bent, desirable restaurant, Cleo, and nightclub offerings, should certainly have the hotel bubbling up on any round-up of the best New York City hotels. These pedigrees alone make the hotel a serious competitor within Manhattan’s luxury hotel market, but its current shockingly low prices make it a true standout, especially compared to luxurious New York mainstays such as The Langham or The Lowell. 

The available rate at the time of booking was near-impossible to resist. Pre-pandemic prices clocked in at somewhere in the region of $300 per night for an entry-level room (up to $500 per night in high season). But I snagged an entry-level room for just $139 plus fees, which is virtually unheard of for a five-star stay in Manhattan. The COVID-era bargain prompted me to book a room for a holiday weekend night in late November.

Hotels have had to up their offerings to attract what little business there is, and the Mondrian is no exception. In addition to the low starting rate, the following perks were bundled in for free: a 2 p.m. check-in and check-out time, a $10 minibar credit, and a free continental breakfast. These came with regular amenity offerings such as complimentary yoga classes on the terrace, free use of a nearby gym, and a discount at neighboring Equinox Spa.

Sadly, the restaurant and club were closed, but I still felt that it was a great price. The value was further increased with a slight upgrade to a Balcony King on arrival, due to fewer guests currently staying at the hotel. I was happy to find the hotel’s impressive outward appearance was backed up by practical safety measures and its new COVID-19 protocols were executed well.

My room was small with a slightly retro feel that may not appeal to all, but given the price, location, and the extras included in my stay, I would happily return in a heartbeat.