Mandarin Oriental, New York

What the classifiers highlight

Occupying floors 38 through 54 of the Time Warner Center above Columbus Circle, this 248-room hotel sets its lobby on the 35th floor, low-lit and facing Central Park's southwest corner. Forbes highlights the spa's amethyst crystal steam room and vitality pool, along with an Oriental Tea Lounge, and notes Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall are a few blocks away.