Mondrian Park Avenue

Housed in a traditional New York brown-brick building, the Mondrian Park Avenue opened in 2017 as the latest addition to the long list of cool, sleek hotels in the Gramercy and Murray Hill areas. Interiors were commissioned to world-known French designer Phillippe Starck, who created thoroughly modern spaces full of his signature whimsical details (roughly cut black-stone benches in the lobby instead of chairs and couches, carpets and rugs with eye-catching abstract designs, and large mural paintings) and industrial-inspired touches, including exposed concrete walls and lots of wood. The hotel combines this sleek interior design with excellent dining and hopping bars, making it a popular hangout spot for locals and visitors alike. Cleo -- and the adjacent tapas bar Callejon -- are bursting with patrons during the week, while the rooftop lounge draws young groups of friends on weekends, thanks to its expansive Manhattan views, cocktails, small bites, and good music. This party atmosphere is sought-after among young New Yorkers, but travelers wanting to relax after a long day exploring the city may find the atmosphere too busy, especially those staying in rooms near the restaurant and rooftop bar. For something quieter and with additional features in this area, the Marmara Park Avenue offers an indoor pool and a great spa. At a higher price point, the Inn at Irving Place is an intimate boutique packed with Old-World charm and home to a wonderful tea lounge. Travelers seeking something similar in price and atmosphere to the Mondrian but closer to Times Square may prefer the W New York Times Square.  

The hotel is located on the corner of Park Avenue and East 30th Street in Manhattan. Known as NoMad, the area is busy day and night, with dozens of corporate buildings, hotels, and restaurants and bars within a few blocks. Although this location is convenient for business travelers with meetings in the area, it is also centrally located for visiting major tourist attractions, including the Empire State Building, Flatiron Building, Chrysler Building, and Madison Square Park -- all found within a 15-minute walk of the hotel. Grand Central and Penn Station are also within walking distance of the hotel, allowing for easy access to trains. The Mondrian is equidistant from 28th and 33rd Street subway stations, and there are three other stops within six blocks. John F. Kennedy International Airport can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, while LaGuardia Airport is 25 to 30 minutes, and Newark Airport is about a 70-minute drive away, or just under an hour by train.

The hotel’s 189 rooms are designed in a similarly sleek style as the rest of the common spaces, with copper-colored mirrored surfaces, leather-like chairs, modern artworks on walls, and brown carpets with wood-style patterns. Starting at 270 square feet, rooms are rather compact for the price, and entry-level units have one small window offering limited views. The rest of the rooms have larger windows with city views, and some feature narrow balconies with expansive vistas of the skyline. All rooms come outfitted with plush, well-reviewed beds with pillow-top mattresses, soft duvets, and several pillows. Entertainment units feature large smart TVs and minibars are stocked with a wide array of curated items, including drinks, snacks, and a selection of BTL SVC liquors. In addition, all rooms have safes, free Wi-Fi, and hairdryers. Coffeemakers are not provided in any room type. Bathrooms are small but sleek, with marble and wood vanities, spacious walk-in showers with glass doors and double showerheads, and Ciel toiletries. Some bathrooms have limited counter space. 

The Mondrian is known among locals for its dining and drinking venues, among which the rooftop lounge is the most popular. Its indoor-outdoor layout makes it an all-season spot for drinks and small bites, and it has a hopping atmosphere year-round. The lounge opens exclusively for guests in the morning and early afternoon, but the general public is welcome in the evening, when it draws young professionals and groups of friends until the wee hours, especially on weekends. The other on-site hotspot is Cleo, a wonderful Mediterranean restaurant with strong North African and Middle Eastern influences helmed by renowned Chef Danny Elmaleh. The adjacent Callejon is a fun, casual tapas bar with Spanish-inspired decor by Sergio Mora (think sharpie-drawn flamenco dancers on walls and bar stools with heart cutouts) and tasty bites by Chef Todd Matthews. The hotel lacks a spa and a fitness center, but guests receive free access to the swish Equinox gym nearby, which offers cardio and strength-training areas, group classes, and locker rooms with steam baths. There is a 350-square-foot boardroom for private and corporate events, complete with a smart Apple TV, free Wi-Fi, and natural light. The rooftop lounge and a room in Cleo can be rented out for events as well.