Read This: Mandarin Oriental Wins in Details

Location. Location. Location. That’s our motto when deciding where to stay in New York City.

For us, settling in around Central Park is a must, especially in the summer. This time the Mandarin Oriental near Columbus Circle fit the bill. Its access not only to the park but also many subway lines make navigating the city a snap.

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We got a special deal through Magellan Vacations for a room on the 53rd floor facing Central Park. While I missed the grand lobby feel you get with The Plaza Hotel or Waldorf Astoria, the stellar Central Park view is a nice tradeoff. You enter the hotel off of 60th Street and take an elevator up 35 floors to get to the front desk and main lobby.

While the Dale Chihuly clear-glass crane sculpture rising from a moss garden is stunning, the floor-to-ceiling glass window facing Central Park is even more impressive.

The fitness center offered a 36th-floor view with an ample variety of top-end exercise equipment and a beautiful 75-foot lap pool. There wasn’t a lot of space to stretch, but plenty of room to get in a good workout.

What made the Mandarin Oriental standout is its attention to details. There were plenty of outlets and an IT storage center with an assortment of cords to make sure you can connect with the world outside your modern posh room should you decide to never leave. Even with the city beckoning, it’s a tempting option here.

My favorite feature was the bedside reading stack that included a bookmark and three books from which to choose.

If you happen to get into one you can’t put down, the hotel simply advises to take it home with you. So we quickly packed all three for our trip home along with the towels, robes and slippers. Just kidding, Mandarin Oriental!

If you feel the need for relaxation on your journey to the Big Apple, grab a book, lounge on the couch next to the window overlooking Central Park and settle in for some reading time or a nap. Either way, you’ll love your room with a view.