HotelChatter - Stories about MANDARIN ORIENTAL NEW YORK

New York: Now There's WiFi In Every Room at Mandarin Oriental NY (But You Still Gotta Pay)

ASchechter — 2012-01-23T09:26:27-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/61268/MandarinOrientalWifi.jpg" class="top">Take a quick look at our <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/special/Best-WiFi-Hotels-2011">Annual WiFi Report: Best of 2011</a>, and you know which hotel you won't see on there? <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/MANDARIN+ORIENTAL+NEW+YORK/local/190">Mandarin Oriental New York</a>. That's because, until now, the hotel hasn't really done anything to wow us, even though more and more hotels are gradually making the switch to better, faster, free-er internet. Well, they still have some work to do on the "free" part (guests must pay a $15/day WiFi fee), but due to "a dramatic shift" in the number of customers using wireless internet, MONY has graciously implemented Ruckus WiFi wall switches in all the guest rooms. So wherever you sit, you'll always manage to find a decent connection because the router

New York: Don't Go Alone To the Tea of Togetherness At Mandarin Oriental New York

ASchechter — 2012-01-18T11:15:20-05:00

Chinese New Year rolls around on Monday, and the Mandarin Oriental is feelin' festive. The hotel's annual Tea of Togetherness is all about good fortune, well-being, and—of course—togetherness, but as major dim sum fans ourselves, we're just stoked to get our snack on.

Everyday starting at 2:30pm, dumplings, rolls, cakes, and scones will all pop up in the hotel's 35th floor Lobby Lounge, where�a more traditional Afternoon Tea is normally served during the rest of the year. But instead of Devon clotted cream and marmalade, over the next two weeks you'll find things like Jade Vegetable Dumplings, Pork and Watercress Wontons, Shrimp and Mango Rolls, Dragon Duck Wrap, Chinese tea cakes, and ginger scones.

New York: Willow Smith Brightens Up The Mandarin Oriental

ASchechter — 2011-12-07T09:15:01-05:00

Anyone who happened to be shopping around Columbus Circle on Monday in NYC had a good chance of seeing pop singer Willow Smith. Several paps caught the young star stepping out of her hotel, the Mandarin Oriental, looking cool as ever. Despite rumors about her parents' split, Willow kept up appearances with some leopard print, turquoise fur, and awesome yellow highlights.

It just so happens that today is the debut of Willow's new music video, a collaboration with Nicki Minaj—which might explain her extreme fashion choices. Unlike Nicki, however, Willow has yet to be booted from a hotel. She's only eleven, after all. So many years of celebrity hotel trashing ahead of her!

New York: Is The Hotel Lobby Just A Fading Trend?

ASchechter — 2011-10-05T14:20:01-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/61268/Pod7.jpg" class="top">To stay on top of the hotel game, we find it useful to check in with people behind the Front Desk. For this week's <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Concierge%20Interviews">Concierge Interview</a> with John Williams, who is the president of travel planning service, New York Guest, we were curious about the changing nature of hotel lobbies. Some are <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/9/22/212524/015/hotels/Inside_The_New_Marriott_Marquis_Lobby">spectacles</a>, some are popular <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/7/20/83320/1052/hotels/Why_The_Pod_Hotel_s_New_Cafe_Is_Never_Empty">hangout</a> spots. But are they actually useful? To find out, we sat down with John in (where else?) a lobby. Specifically, <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Algonquin/local/950">The Algonquin</a>, whose concierges are staffed by New York Guest. To start things off, what are some good lobbies to enjoy during fall in New York? Go to the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/MANDARIN+ORIENTAL+NEW+YORK/local/190">Mandarin Oriental</a>watch the leaves change in Central

West Hollywood: The King's Speech Crew Go For The Hotel Big Guns In the Pre-Oscar Campaign

pbb — 2011-02-10T14:01:22-05:00

The cast and crew of the award-grabbing Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush flick are checking into big-name hotels on both coasts to build buzz ahead of the Oscars on February 27, where the film is up for a jaw-dropping 12 awards.

First up this week was a fete at the Chateau Marmont that predictably drew a giant roster of stars, including co-stars Firth and Rush. Director Tom Hooper and money man Harvey Weinstein were also on hand—along with Renee Zellweger, Quentin Tarantino, Michelle Williams and Jeremy Piven, according to The Daily. Apparently, James Franco was also in the house but not at the party.