A NYC icon you don't want to leave.

by Bridget Cottrell / Photos courtesy of The Mark

In big cities like New York, elevator chit-chat isn't the norm. So, as I stared ahead at my reflection in the mirrored jewel-box-like space, I was taken aback when my temporary companion stabbed at the silence by asking, "Isn't this place just the best?" My enthusiastic agreement, as outsized as her statement bag, elicited more effusiveness and another question: "Have you seen the 'Le Shop' booklet in the rooms? I am obsessed." And with that, she was gone, even though the sweet scent of her Bond No. 9 New York parfum lingered as I continued the ascent to my room.

Marvel-inspiring moments are de rigueur at NYC's The Mark Hotel (themarkhotel.com), where even the smallest detail is treated as a brand-boosting opportunity. Part of an Upper East Side luxury hotel golden triangle with The Carlyle and The Surrey, The Mark differentiates itself from its peers with a unique blend of historic charm, impeccable service and exclusive experiences, modern amenities, and the largest hotel penthouse suite in the United States.

At more than 10,000 square feet, The Mark Hotel’s penthouse is the largest hotel penthouse in the United States.

The Mark Penthouse includes a private 2,500 square-foot rooftop terrace overlooking Central Park.

I was smitten from the moment I crossed the threshold. A massive arrangement of blush-pink lilies imbued the space with the sweet scent of spring. Orange is The Mark's signature color (and one of my favorites), and it pops against the striking stripes of black and white marble flooring in the lobby. Moderately scaled, the Jacques Grange-designed space feels more like a grand salon than a lobby, and it's not uncommon to find guests lingering on custom furniture Grange designed in collaboration with friend and fellow Frenchman Pierre Passebon.

French designer Jacques Grange envisioned the black and white striped floors that have become synonymous with The Mark.

In public spaces and guest rooms, Grange, whose client roster is chock-full of fashion icons, art collectors, and cultural figures, manages to deftly balance drama and deeply personal spaces that never feel too precious. It's little wonder that the flamboyant A-listers emerging from the lobby en route to the recent Met Gala (the Museum is just four blocks away) seemed perfectly in step with the avant-garde surroundings. General Manager Etienne Haro says that on gala night, The Mark is "the starriest hotel lobby in the world."

The landmark building, designed in the Renaissance Revival style, was constructed in 1927 as residences. The guest accommodations are spacious, ranging from 500 square feet for a superior room to the expansive 10,000-square-foot penthouse suite, which features a 2,500-square-foot rooftop terrace. The current ownership acquired the property in 2006 and enlisted Grange to lead a comprehensive renovation in 2009. The designer commissioned several notable international artists and artisans, including Karl Lagerfeld, Ron Arad, Eric Schmitt, Paul Mathieu, Mattia Bonetti, Vladimir Kagan, Rachel Howard, and Todd Eberle, to create exclusive furnishings and artwork for The Mark collection.

The building offers 106 guest rooms and 47 suites. Star power extends to the culinary options, with a restaurant and bar by Jean Georges Vongerichten (themarkrestaurantnyc.com) and the NYC outpost of Caviar Kaspia (caviarkaspiany.com), the famous Parisian restaurant. Other amenities include a Frédéric Fekkai salon (fekkai.com/pages/the-mark-hotel-salon), shoe care services from John Lobb, and a very well-equipped gym.

Grange unveiled The Mark's piece de resistance, "The Mark Penthouse," in 2015. Spanning the 16th and 17th floors, the exquisite space boasts five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a great room, a library, a formal dining room, a gourmet kitchen, and four fireplaces. The private terrace overlooking the Manhattan skyline ups the ante on over-the-top in winter when it's transformed into a private skating rink exclusively for penthouse guests.

Those without a penthouse pocketbook still sleep in style, with guestrooms and suites outfitted in a serene color palette of light cream and celadon with grasscloth-clad walls, luxurious marble baths, and La Bottega toiletries. Bespoke chrome-trimmed vanities and showers in the suites call to mind the lines of a covetable Officine Gullo kitchen. Large windows bathe the rooms in natural light, with the interplay of light and shadow becoming its own design element in the ethereal environs. One of my favorite touches is the unique illustrations by Jean-Philippe Delhomme found on everything from drink coasters and postcards in the rooms to complimentary bikes and a paddleball set available for purchase from Le Shop.

The entirety of the hotel is pet-friendly, and there are scores of signature pet amenities, including a doggy dessert menu conceived by Vongerichten. Haute dogs of another type are offered from a chic cart stationed adjacent to the portico during warmer months. Grab your dog (haute or not) and a The Mark-branded remote-control sailboat to launch at the nearby Conservatory Water in Central Park. The hotel can also arrange a bespoke picnic basket and transport you to the perfect spot in style via a Pedicab with an orange cushioned bench seat and black-and-white striped awning. A big kid boat experience is available on The Mark's 70-foot Herreshoff Sailboat, one of the last in existence, that can accommodate up to 25 guests for private charter in New York Harbor. A unique partnership with the Metropolitan Museum allows guests to work with The Mark's concierge to arrange a one-hour exhibit-specific after-hours tour.

A big kid boat experience is available on The Mark's 70-foot Herreshoff Sailboat.

Back on property, the seductive and cozy Jean Georges Vongerichten bar boasts a 70s vibe and was buzzy, even early on a Monday night with a crowd that mirrored the eclectic décor. High-style and high-level cuisine are on offer at the adjacent restaurant, where among the globally influenced offerings, I was inspired to craft a worldly meal with spicy tuna tartar, a pizza blanketed in black truffles, and a ginger-infused margarita. During breakfast service, the skylight in the main dining room allowed me to linger longer than usual to appreciate the design, including dining chairs with the hourglass figure of an ingénue and lighted Mondrian-esque panels.

At Caviar Kaspa, Grange leaned into the inviting atmosphere of its Parisian sister, which opened in 1927. Here, old-world elegance co-mingles with The Mark's Uptown aesthetic. Hallmarks of the original dining room on Place de la Madeleine remain, namely iconic blue tablecloths and wood paneled walls (which Grange updated with mirrored insets). Emerald green mohair banquets line the perimeter, and ambient lighting by L'Observatoire International creates a rich contrast to the black marble bar.

I was skeptical when I was told that I must have the baked potato. Here, the humble spud is elevated to new heights when twice baked and topped with Imperial Baeri caviar (there is also a vegetarian option made from liquefied and spherized truffle). Paired with my fresh, bouncy blowout from Frédéric Fekkai and a Kaspia Martini, it was my own indulgent sexy in the city moment, courtesy of The Mark.

Hitting the Mark