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

Where: 80 COLUMBUS CIRCLE , New York, NY, 10023

Take a quick look at our Annual WiFi Report: Best of 2011, and you know which hotel you won't see on there? Mandarin Oriental New York. 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 is now right there in your room. Plus, the hotel has installed more efficient access points in meeting and conference areas—though, really, who goes to Mandarin Oriental to do work?

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

Where: 80 COLUMBUS CIRCLE [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

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.

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Wanna Skip The Lines At Trump Wollman Skating Rink? Stay At the Trump

Where: 1 Central Park W [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

We showed you yesterday how to click your way to an upgraded room view at Trump Soho. Now, here's a way to parlay your stay at Trump New York into a VIP ice skating session at the nearby Trump Wollman Rink in Central Park.

Guests of the hotel who call ahead will get whisked straight to the skate rental counter upon arrival, bypassing endless lines of whiny children, oblivious tourists and uninformed New Yorkers (we can say that because, as New Yorkers, we try to aim for more, um...time-efficient places to go ice skating). This makes a lot of sense to us. As long as it's in their power, why shouldn't Trump New York try to make things easier for parents attempting a family outing in below-freezing temperatures?

What's that, you say? You want the hotel to throw in free skate rentals too? Now, let's not get greedy...

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Willow Smith Brightens Up The Mandarin Oriental

Where: 80 COLUMBUS CIRCLE [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

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!

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Something Is Rotten In The Amsterdam Hospitality Group

Where: 44 W 63rd St [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

The WSJ is reporting that an auditor for Amsterdam Hospitality Group has greedily helped himself to the credit card information of 237 guests, drawing from three of the group's eight Manhattan hotels. Luckily, NYC's Fashion Week mainstay, the Empire Hotel, which the company owns, wasn't affected.

Phew! Though we dote happily on the Empire's ritzy Lincoln Center location and rooftop drinking accommodations, we'd rather not take our chances when handing over our credit cards for a $450-a-night stay. We have enough "mystery charges" showing up on our monthly statements (as we mentioned earlier this morning, our love of hotels is exceeded only by our love of shopping) as it is, and have no need for disappearing funds.

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Pedicabs to Save Your Fashion Week Pedicures at the Mandarin Oriental New York

Where: 80 Columbus Circle [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

Ever since New York Fashion Week moved location from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center a couple seasons ago, the hotels of Columbus Circle and the Upper West Side have had crazy fun hosting the power players and planning packages for those who wish they were power players.

One of the several hotels closest to the action is the Mandarin Oriental, and they'll cater to everyone by bringing back free pedicab rides between the hotel and the Fashion Week tents. You can grab a pedicab at the MO on September 12, 13 and 14—no room card needed as it's open to the public. It's a pretty brilliant idea to help girls in high heels get from the Columbus Circle area over the several blocks to Lincoln Center, and wonderful free brand interaction.

For those coming into town and hunting for a temporary fashion HQ, the Mandarin Oriental is offering a "Moët Champagne Slumber Party" package from September 1 clear through April 30, 2012 (that covers Februrary's Fashion Week too!). For $3,250 you get a suite for two people, a VIP shopping experience with a consultant at Saks Fifth Avenue, manicures and pedicure in the hotel's spa, a range of "girl's night in" movies and bottles of Moët Imperial. Bump up the price to $5,000 and it's all that for four people. Call 1-866-801-8880 to book this, or just keep your eyes open for the pedicabs in less than two weeks!

[Photo: Twitter]

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Your Duvet Cover Shall Never Wrinkle Again, Thanks to Trump Housekeeping's Nifty Trick

Where: One Central Park West [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

** A HotelChatter Exclusive**

Have you ever wanted to make your home as flawlessly clean as the guestrooms of the hotels you visit? It seems impossible right? Especially when it comes to making your bed. But we've come to your rescue--with a lot of help from the housekeepers at the Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York.

General Manager Suzannah Mills and the housekeeping team have filmed a series of videos exclusively for HotelChatter with their simple tips and tricks on how to make your home "shine like the Chrysler building!" or at least just look "hotel fresh."

Here is the final video in our three-part series with instructions on how to keep your duvet covers perfectly smooth. And all it takes is a water spritzer. You know, the kind you keep by the door to stop your dog from barking. Enjoy!

Hotels--do your housekeepers have any special tips to share with us? Let us know!

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Are Your Chandeliers Dusty? Trump Housekeeping Knows How to Make Them Sparkle

Where: One Central Park West [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

** A HotelChatter Exclusive**

Have you ever wanted to make your home as flawlessly clean as the guestrooms of the hotels you visit? It seems impossible right? Especially when it comes to making your bed. But we've come to your rescue--with a lot of help from the housekeepers at the Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York.

General Manager Suzannah Mills and the housekeeping team have filmed a series of videos exclusively for HotelChatter with their simple tips and tricks on how to make your home "shine like the Chrysler building!" or at least just look "hotel fresh." Here is the second video of our three-part series with tips on how to keep your chandeliers sparkling clean. Yes, your chandeliers will soon pass the white glove test and all you need is something that you probably already have at your desk.

Hotels--do your housekeepers have any special tips to share with us? Let us know!

Trump Housekeeping Tips / Hotel Housekeepers / Video / Trump Hotels / → All Tags

How the Housekeepers at Trump New York Keep Their Flowers Smelling Fresh

Where: One Central Park West [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

** A HotelChatter Exclusive**

Have you ever wanted to make your home as flawlessly clean as the guestrooms of the hotels you visit? It seems impossible right? Especially when it comes to making your bed. But we've come to your rescue--with a lot of help from the housekeepers at the Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York.

General Manager Suzannah Mills and the housekeeping team have filmed a series of videos exclusively for HotelChatter with their simple tips and tricks on how to make your home "shine like the Chrysler building!" or at least just look "hotel fresh."

The first video in the series flowers fresher longer. Watch, do, then stop to smell the flowers!

Hotels--do your housekeepers have any special tips to share with us? Let us know!

Celebrity Scoop / Charlie Sheen / Trump Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / → All Tags

The Trump New York Takes in Charlie Sheen and His Goddesses

Where: 1 Central Park W. [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

Tiger-blood-chugging, hooker-loving, Plaza-room-trashing Charlie Sheen may be persona non grata at a number of top hotels, but the winning actor was able to snag a room at the Trump International Hotel & Tower in New York.

According to the New York Post, Sheen arrived in the Big Apple yesterday for his "My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not an Option" tour.

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Revisiting Six Columbus

Where: 6 Columbus Circle [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

Three and a half years is an eternity in hotel time. Especially in Manhattan, where new properties seem to sprout every month. Which is why we like to return to once-hot-and-new hotels and see how they're faring. Today: Six Columbus, which HC had not slept in since 2007.

When we saw a Quikbook rate for $120 on a Saturday night a few weeks back, we grabbed it. As you can see from our video and photo gallery, the 175-square-foot Pod Room is mini. But size isn't all that matters!

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Drink Your Way Through the Rest of Fashion Week at NYC's Empire Hotel

Where: 44 West 63rd Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10023

This has been one damned cold winter, and to tell you the truth, we aren't feeling so stylish this Fashion Week. After dropping by the scene at the NY Fashion Week tents at Lincoln Center last night, we definitely needed a drink. Thankfully, you don't have to get dressed up or have invite to lounge directly across the street from the action at the Empire Hotel. Better known for their menu of Gossip Girl-themed drinks, they've also rolled out an extensive range of fashion-themed cocktails to keep all the editors good and tipsy.

Check out our photo of the full Fashion Week menu above. We forked over $15 to try the "Rebecca's Royale Empire," named for designer Rebecca Taylor. Hey—you can't go wrong with a champagne cocktail, although the "Thanks, It's Vintage" was super tempting.

To sip one of these and watch the fashion set parade through the lobby (as some businessmen at the bar were having a great time doing last night), just head to the Lobby Bar. The tables are waitress service only, but the mezzanine's few cush seats offer the best view.

[Photo: HotelChatter]